Private Concessions in Serengeti National Park
When you hear the name Serengeti, wildlife scenes like a dramatic river crossing or a lion finishing a kill pop up in your mind. The Maasai were absolutely right to name this park “Siringet,” which means ‘endless plains.’ It’s our top favorite for good reason. Be it the phenomenal Great Migration, Big Five, or its highest concentration of predators, we are very fascinated by every wildlife moment happening in this park.
While visiting the main park is compulsory, sometimes competition (from other vehicles) may ruin your experience in the wild, and may also be at the hotel. In addition, the park authorities enforce strict rules and regulations to protect this crucial ecosystem for the next generation. So, some activities aren’t allowed. The best alternative to this is staying in private reserves and concessions around Serengeti, and this is what we are about to unpack.
But first, what’s a private concession? The main park is open to the public – everyone, even those on day trips, can go there. Private concessions are wildlife areas, often within or surrounding the main park, leased to lodge owners or the community. These areas also act as buffer zones to prevent the community from encroaching on the main park.
Not only do they protect wildlife, but concessions offer more flexibility and freedom to a few travelers who can afford the high-end price tags. Here, game drives are not limited by the sunset. Instead, the dark brings a new layer of curiosity to explore nocturnal animals. Also, fewer certified tour operators are licensed to operate in these areas. These rules, combined with higher prices, make most concessions out of reach.
Rules are made to limit large crowds in public areas in Serengeti National Park. On the other hand, concessions grant licenses to a few, trustworthy operators and charge high amounts of money. This makes them less crowded. As a result, concessions have less strict rules and offer many bucket-list experiences.
Why should you stay in private concessions?
With the main park being affordable to most safari-goers, these exclusive reserves are often out of reach; hence, they are the only way to avoid the crowd while enjoying pristine wilderness. You won’t compete for a wildlife sighting with a pack of safari jeeps because these properties usually limit the number of vehicles at a time. Instead, you’ll explore in silence, capturing every moment that matters to you.
Whereas private experiences like private drives and bush walks may be interrupted in public areas, private concessions embrace them. With an escort of expert field guides, you can explore remote places known by no one except you. The best part is that you can simply switch from the concession to the main park. Bush walks are often limited to as small as within the reaches of the camp, but in private reserves, you can walk as much as you want.
Private concessions have exclusive-use properties. Here, you’ll enjoy high-end services from private butler services to incredible wellness experiences. And the best part: some lodges charge just the fee for staying in their exclusive-use villas. You pay for a stay and let them do the rest – private drives, bush walks, mouthwatering meals, and more.
Private concessions in Serengeti.
Singita Grumeti Reserve.
Located in the western corridor, Singita Grumeti Reserve is perfectly nestled in the large, 411-sq-km Grumeti Reserve. Grumeti, together with the Ikorongo Game Reserve, forms a buffer zone, not only to protect the ecosystem from human activities but also to safeguard the migration routes.
The Singita, a luxurious brand, manages 350,000 acres of the Grumeti Reserve and allows low-impact, high-end tourism to raise funds to support conservation efforts. Visitors can go there to watch resident wildlife in harmony and the Grumeti River crossings (between May and June).
There are exclusive, luxurious lodges and camps owned and run by Singita. These include Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Singita Faru Faru, Singita Sabora Tented Lodge, Kilima, Serengeti House, and the recently opened Singita Milele.
Mwiba Wildlife Reserve.
A 130,000-acre reserve borders both the Serengeti (south) and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (west), home to incredible resident wildlife. And since there’s no fence, animals are free to move to and from these wonderful reserves. With over 33 freshwater springs, this reserve attracts large elephant herds and other animals coming to drink. Visit from June to October to see many animals gathering at these springs.
The only accommodation in this reserve is Mwiba Lodge. Features ten spacious suites, including one family tent, this high-end lodge offers some of the most exclusive services, from al fresco dining, night drives, private game drives, and helicopter rides. It’s also a base camp for witnessing the calving season, from December through March.
Loliondo Game Controlled Area.
Nestled in the northeast, this 4,000-sq-km Loliondo is a multiple-use area, where wildlife and the Maasai coexist. Part of the area is under the Maasai landlords, while the remaining is protected to safeguard the migration routes. There are several lodges and camps, but the largest one is Klein’s Camp, run by &Beyond. This camp features ten tents nestled in its 10,000-acre private concession.
You can find large animals like elephants, lions, buffalo, wildebeest, and giraffes. In addition to that, the wildebeest migration often reaches this area between October and November, on its way back south. On top of that, the camp offers off-the-radar services and private experiences, like night safaris, bush walks, bush meals, and private drives.
Bottom line.
Private concessions open the doors to explore the Serengeti without compromising luxury and seclusion. In these properties, you pay attention to even small moments because it is too quiet. We can help you plan this adventure.
