Lamai Private

Lamai Serengeti's clever layout really does make you feel as if you’re a part of this rugged landscape. Peeking from between the boulders, the lounge and dining areas flow down to the swimming pool and sundeck below, where wildlife is frequently spotted out on the plains. The style is deliberately low-key, in keeping with the traditional East African safari style, with earthy tones and textures, chunky native timber furniture, and vivid splashes of colour to catch the eye.

Four suites placed among the trees and boulders offer maximum privacy (two suites are linked via an en-suite bathroom, making it an ideal option for a family). Open-fronted, the raised balconies catch the breeze and make the most of the glorious views, and the interiors have an elegant simplicity, with romantic four-poster beds facing the plains. The en-suite bathrooms have hot and cold running water, powerful showers and flushing toilets. Leaving your room will be a wrench!

Early morning and late afternoon game drives, with the chance to stay out all day if you wish, make sure you miss little of the action. The Big Five are present here year round. Guided bush walks, depending on the season, add an extra, intimate element to your exploration. The Mara River is close to camp – with good timing, you may witness the chaos and tension of hundreds of thousands of frantic wildebeest crossing the treacherous, crocodile-infested waters.