Known to be the oldest national park in the world featuring some of the greatest game view in the planet and unending scenes of migratory animals, serengeti has a lot to offer for a family seeking a top notch safari experience. Like most safari destinations in East Africa, serengeti mostly encompasses swathes of immaculate and remote wilderness; an authentic representation of safari travels. Most of the accommodation facilities are made of canvas and designed without much consideration of family travel especially for young couple with kids. Some even prohibiting travelers with kids. Importantly, Serengeti is not as family friendly as Masai Mara and you will have fewer options to pick especially when you are travelling with underage. In this post we shall look at some of the available facilities you can consider for your next safari in Serengeti.
1. Serengeti Serena safari lodge
The award winning luxury safari lodge tops our list. Serengeti Serena is set on the heart of Serengeti national park in one of the perfect location for tracking the unending Serengeti migration. The facility location is well appointed, deliberately perched high in an acacia-cloaked hill and overlooking the famous Grumeti river. The lodge is designed into conical thatched units that harmoniously blending with the surrounding acacia vegetation. Here children of all ages are welcomed. The family suite features two adjoined bedrooms one master bedroom and another for kids, a fullly furnished common sitting area and a bathroom. At Serengeti serena lodge children can engage in board games, short bush walk, play volleyball & football and visiting one of the local schools. Besides engaging on game drives family booked at serengeti Serena lodge are treated to an exciting opportunity to have a bush dinner by the sides of a hippo pool in Grumeti river. Children’s meal are available on request and can be served early as at noon or 6:30 pm. For couples with infants a cot and baby sitting services can be offered on prior notice.
2. Singita Sasakwa Lodge
This facility into an alluring stately manor style that meet all your luxury safari expectations. Perched up high sasakwa hills that offers a limitless view of extensive Savannah plains in grumeti private reserve, Singita Sasakwa inspires an unrivalled bush vibe. This facility put guests close to the serengeti migration in one of the least crowded sections of Mara Serengeti ecosystem. The family cottage features 2 or 3 bedrooms that can accommodate up to six persons, bathroom, living area and a private plunge pool. Children activities offered include stargazing, swimming, bush walks( teenagers), arts and craft, play tennis and watching wildlife movies. Childminding services are available.
3. Faru Faru lodge
The singita owned facility is also in grumeti reserve. With just 9 tents Faru Faru lodge is ideal for families seeking a perfectly exclusive accommodation in an unspoilt wilderness. The safari lodge offer unrivalled bush vibe set out alongside the grumeti river and an all time busy watering hole. This is also the best accommodation in singita Grumeti reserve to follow western Serengeti migration where a less famed but equally dramatic river crossing event happens. The family suite has 2 bedrooms enjoined by a large sitting area, a private bathroom and a balcony. Here children of all ages are welcomed. There are tailor-made children activities for underage who might not participate in safari drives.Guest who would like exclusive open sided family safari inside Singita Grumeti reserve should send a request before arrival for vehicle allocation. For families with infants, baby sitting services are offered on prior notice.
4. Four seasons safari lodge
The facility is set in central serengeti a region famed for offering one of the best game quality in the entire mara serengeti ecosystem. The facility most outstanding feature is the stellar location in which it is set. Placed on a hillsides Savannah wilderness with rocky out crops and a watering hole in the vicinity, guest at four seasons are treated to views of unending bush dramas all round the year. All facilities are built on a raised platform giving guest uninterrupted view of the surrounding and captivating lower reaches. Here the family suite features one master bedroom and a reconnecting children room, lounge area, private bathroom and balcony. Kijana club a common facility in the lodge offers kids some insight of the faunas of africa through art and craft displays. At the club children can as well engage in board games. Guided walking family safari can be organised with the help of masai guides situated in the lodges. Discounted rates are available for children. The only problem with the facility is that they don’t book guests with infants(2 years and below)
5. Sayari camp
Set out in the remote northern serengeti section, the luxury canvas lodge is the best for serengeti Mara river crossing safari. The facility is ideal for families who would like to experiences the river crossing event away from the huge traffic snarl ups in Masai Mara game reserve. Here family safaris are tailored to give the best experience with exclusive morning to evening open sided safari. The family tent is set out as a separate unit offering a completely private escape for occupants. The suite features two bedrooms, a bathroom and a patio. The facility however doesn’t offer kid specific activities and the best thing is to have them participating in safari game drives. For this reason infants are not allowed into the camp. After spending the entire day in the wilderness families have an option to take a candle lit dinner in a select spot in the wilderness.
6. Singita Serengeti house
Also in Singita grumeti private reserve this facility is ideal for large families who would like to hire an entire safari lodge for an unrivalled homey experience. The accommodation only has a guest capacity of a maximum 8 occupants, 2 suites in the main house and 2 garden . Singita serengeti house is set out at the centre of vast grassland plains back-dropped by the panoramic sasakwa hills cloaked in dense acacia and an ever wildlife-rich watering hole close-by. Here children of all ages are welcomed. There are permanent staffs who offer a personalized services and plan activities to guarantee life-changing bush experience. In this facility guest participate in age specific activities at least to create unforgettable memories of Africa family safari. Children are taught mini-rangers course which is enjoyous and help them learn to appreciate nature. Other children activities include play tennis, stargazing, board games and participate in local arts & craft activities.
7. Kirawira Serena tented camp
T his is a luxury tented camp is fashioned in the old safari style accommodation with spacious canvas set on a raised platform. The safari camp is ideal for family seeking to witness the northern corridor movement where the migratory herds move in eye catching long columns. Here the family tent features two tented bed rooms , bathroom with self contained shower, dedicated steward and a private terrace overlooking the sweeping kirawira Savannah plains. In this facility there are organised family safari activities like bush walks and bush dinner customized to create strong bonding between members as they enjoy a spirited bush vibe. Children can engage in activities like board game or storytelling. The only short coming for this is that they do not allow in children below 7 years.
