Best hotels in Tanzania

Superbly positioned in amongst the rocks of the Kogakuria Kopjies (little hills) in the northern Serengeti, Lamai Serengeti is a beautifully-simple camp that has undemanding elegance down to a T. The interiors are serene and tasteful, yet never detract from the spectacular view across the grasslands that teem with wildlife for much of the year, especially when the Great Migration moves through the area from July to October. Add to that the quality guides who will take you on a journey of exploration and discovery, this is just the camp for the discerning traveller looking to enjoy the best of the Serengeti.

Olakira is a classic mobile tented camp that moves between two locations - Ndutu in the South (December - March) and Mara in the North (June - November) of the Serengeti. It’s a simple and welcoming camp with comfortable sofas and puffy pillow furniture. Set on sprawling mixed vegetation plains in the North and in the cooling shade of a small forest overlooking a seasonal stream in the South, the camp is always in touch with the migration’s mystical movements.

Located on the sloping hills of the central Serengeti, and overlooking the Moru Kopjes, is Serengeti Pioneer Camp. All 12 of the canvas tents are reminiscent of the early pioneers and the glamour of 1930s safaris, but furnished with modern and fully-functional luxuries. It is across the great Serengeti plains that the wildebeest of the Great Migration roam, and the members of the Big Five lurk in the bushes and among the kopjes - spot them from the comfort of your tent, on a game drive, or even from the high reaches of a hot-air balloon safari.

Set in the heart of the bush, Ubuntu is a small, no-fuss, good value mobile camp that oozes authenticity and effortless charm. The camp moves between several locations in the Serengeti to follow the Great Migration - Ubuntu South (December - March), Ubuntu West (May - July), and Ubuntu North (August - November). The main focus of this camp is undoubtedly the Great Migration and the untouched wilderness in which it happens.

This relaxing tented camp is located deep in the south of the Serengeti National Park. Comfort and charm are priorities and it’s an extremely affordable camp with some lovely extra touches. Raised wooden decks optimise the sweeping views of Lake Masek, whilst an eco-friendly, solar-powered setup ensures a minimal footprint on the pristine surroundings. Add to that superb game viewing when the Great Migration floods throughthe area from December to March (hundreds of baby wildebeest, everywhere you look!) and a healthy population of big cats year-round, and you have yourself a wonderful Serengeti option, whatever season youchoose to travel in.

Masek is an intimate tented camp in the Ngorongoro Conservation area bordering the Serengeti. Open from the beginning of December to the end of March, it witnesses all the glory of the Great Migration. Its woodland thicket setting makes for a successful combination of privacy and the opportunity to be close to all the action in the surrounding Serengeti. Guests can expect relative luxury for an affordably priced option and a true African adventure. The eco-friendly nature of the camp’s solar powered setup fits with the authenticity of the experience on offer.

Ndutu under canvas is a simple, charming little camp that invites adventure and excitement. It follows the Great Migration as the animals move from one section of the park to another in search of water and greener pastures. From December to March the camp is set up in the southern plains of the park, moving into the Western Corridor for June and July, and finally onto the Northern region of the National Park from August to November. Its movement ensures action-packed migration magic regardless of when you check in.

Serengeti Under Canvas is a luxurious semi-permanent tented camp that moves around the Serengeti, following the herds as they stampede across the grasslands in search of new grazing. This annual movement of more than two million wildebeest and other herbivores – and the predators that shadow them – across the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem is one of the greatest spectacles in the natural world. When you've had your fill of animals for the day, return to this sophisticated camp, with its luxury accommodation (with chandeliers, fluffy duvets and your own butler) to relax and be wined and dined in style. Heavenly!

The Serengeti National Park is one of Tanzania's oldest and best-known parks; a spectacular landscape with vast plains and iconic acacia trees. Every year, during the Great Migration, thousands of animals move across the plains; and a unique way to experience this phenomenon is to park yourself in a safari camp right in the migratory path. Situated next to the famous Grumeti River, Elewana Migration Camp is subtle, charming, and packed with game-viewing potential. It's also the place to sit back with a sundowner in hand, as you listen to the sound of hippos wallowing away into the twilight hours.

Outside the North-eastern border of the Serengeti National Park, perched amongst the Kuku Hills in a 10 000-hectare wilderness concession, sits Klein’s camp. Time it right and you can expect to be surrounded by lions, leopard, elephants, buffalo, gazelle and within reach of the Great Migration, all encased in a 360-degree view over the grassy plains and wooded hillocks down to the Grumeti River. Here, service is king and care is taken to provide an exceptional wildlife and safari experience all within a private oasis of old style safari luxury.

Kusini lies in the southern reaches of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, close to the rocky outcrops called Moru Kopjes. One of Kusini's huge drawcards is its remote location – with no other camps nearby, guests are treated to exceptional game viewing with little chance, if any, of encountering other visitors. Six lavishly appointed safari tents make the most of the camp’s commanding position overlooking the plains. This region is renowned for its thriving population of resident game, notably lion and cheetah, and spectacular general wildlife viewing during the annual migration, which usually happens here between December and May.