Wildebeest Migration / Wildebeest Crossings / Herdtracker

Wildlife / Safaris / Holidays

Lemala Mara Camp

Lemala Mara Camp

Lemala Mara Camp is a stylish, seasonal tented camp located in the Northern Serengeti, close to the famous Mara River. It offers one of the most exclusive and strategic locations for witnessing the dramatic scenes of the Great Migration river crossings. Nestled beneath the shade of large Euclea trees and surrounded by endless open plains, Lemala Mara Camp provides a luxurious yet authentic safari experience immersed in nature.

The camp operates from July to October, specifically timed to coincide with the wildebeest and zebra migration as they move into the Northern Serengeti from the Masai Mara in Kenya. With its remote setting, personalized service, and intimate atmosphere, guests enjoy a front row seat to one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife spectacles while avoiding the large tourist crowds.

The camp combines classic safari charm with thoughtful modern comforts, creating a perfect balance between wilderness immersion and laid back luxury.

Best Time to Visit

July to October (Peak Season): This is the ultimate time to visit Lemala Mara Camp. During these months, the Great Migration is at its climax as massive herds of wildebeest and zebras attempt to cross the Mara River. The dramatic scenes of predator action, crocodile ambushes, and frantic crossings are unforgettable.

November to March ((Green Season): While the migration herds move south, the Northern Serengeti remains rich in resident wildlife like lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo. The landscapes are greener, birdlife flourishes, and the park feels much quieter.

April to June (Rainy Season): Lemala Mara Camp is closed during this period due to heavy rains and difficult road conditions.

How to Get There

By Air

The most convenient way is to fly into Kogatende Airstrip in Northern Serengeti, which is about a 30 to 45 minute scenic game drive to the camp. Flight time from Arusha to Kogatende is 1.5 hours. The camp provides a game drive transfer from the airstrip.

By Road

It is possible to drive from Arusha to the camp, but it is a long journey of around 8 to 10 hours through varying terrain. Most guests prefer combining game drives through Central Serengeti with an overnight stay before proceeding to the North.

Best Time to Visit Lemala Mara Camp

How to Get to Lemala Mara Camp

Highlights of Lemala Mara Camp

  • Prime Location Near the Mara River – Lemala Mara Camp’s biggest highlight is its exceptional location just minutes away from key Mara River crossing points in the Northern Serengeti. This strategic positioning means guests have some of the best chances of witnessing the dramatic wildebeest and zebra crossings during the Great Migration, a raw and thrilling spectacle of survival involving predators like crocodiles, lions, and leopards.
  • Intimate and Exclusive Safari Experience – With only 12 tented suites, Lemala Mara Camp maintains a small, intimate atmosphere that ensures personalized service and exclusivity. Far from the busier regions of the Serengeti, guests enjoy peaceful game drives without large crowds or vehicle congestion, allowing for uninterrupted wildlife viewing and a true sense of connection with nature.
  • Exceptional Game Viewing All Year Round – While the camp shines brightest during the Migration season, its location in the Northern Serengeti means excellent year-round wildlife encounters. Resident predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas roam the area, alongside elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and diverse antelope species, ensuring game drives remain action packed even outside migration months.
  • Authentic Luxury Tented Accommodation – The camp perfectly blends the wild feel of a classic safari with modern comforts. Spacious canvas tents with wooden floors, cozy beds, en-suite bathrooms, and private verandas provide guests with both comfort and immersion in the bush. Solar-powered energy and eco-friendly practices reinforce its commitment to sustainability without compromising luxury.
  • Signature Bush Dining & Sundowner Experiences – Lemala Mara Camp elevates dining into a safari highlight. Guests enjoy bush breakfasts in the open savannah, picnic lunches near the river, and starlit dinners by the campfire. Sundowners at scenic viewpoints offer breathtaking views of the Serengeti sunset while sipping on cocktails, creating unforgettable moments that capture the magic of Africa.

book your 2026 safari

Let’s help you plan the best wildebeest migration safari, and book you in the best camps for your best experiences of wildebeest sightings and crossings.

Activities at Lemala Mara Camp

Walking Safaris / Balloon Safaris / Bush Dinner / Bush Breakfast / Bush Lunch

Ameneties at Lemala Mara Camp

Laundry Facilities / Electricity (generator or solar-powered)

Expert Insights on Lemala Mara Camp

Lemala Mara Camp captures the very essence of a remote Serengeti safari. It offers front-row seats to the breathtaking drama of the Great Migration while wrapping guests in understated luxury. The location near the Mara River, the peaceful ambiance, and the personalized service combine to create a once in a lifetime safari experience that is wild, intimate, and deeply memorable.

Picture of Wildebeest Sightings

Wildebeest Sightings

Wildebeest Sightings is a wildebeest tracking website to update on where the wildebeest are, the current sightings, and the amazing crossings. Follow the herd with our daily updates on when and where the wildebeest migration is happening in Tanzania and Kenya.

book your safari

Let’s help you plan the best wildebeest migration safari, and book you in the best camps for your best experiences of wildebeest sightings and crossings.

Gallery of Lemala Mara Camp

Related Camps to Stay

These are related camps and lodges that you can consider for your Kenya and Tanzania Safari. 

No results found.

Previous Wildebeest Sightings

Explore the nearest safari camps and lodges where the wildebeest migrations were seen and spotted. We recommend these wildebeest migration camps and lodges.

Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration Crossings - Wildebeest Crossings

Split Movements: Herds Push into Maasai Mara as Others Head South

While many herds have been seen crossing back south toward the Serengeti, fresh groups of wildebeest are still pushing north and...

Wildebeest Migration Crossings - Wildebeest Crossings

Southward Crossings Continue on the Mara River

The southward movement of wildebeest across the Mara River continues to gain momentum. Following earlier crossings, more herds have been seen...

Wildebeest Migration Crossings - Wildebeest Crossings

Crossing Point 7A on the Mara River

At Crossing Point 7A on the Mara River, thousands of wildebeest gathered on the banks before finally plunging into the swollen...

Subscribe to Wildebeest Migration Updates

Get Real Time updates on our Socials

Stay up to date with our Wildebeest Migration Updates each year from January to December. 

Book a Wildebeest Safari for 2026

Get in touch with us directly and our experts will be ready to help you with the planning

Personal Information
Add Your Personal Information here for to be able to get in touch with you easily and in an efficient way.

Avoid The Pressure To Book Your 2026 Wildebeest Safari.

We have had so many people miss availability for their migration safaris in 2025. Contact us now to secure your spot for this amazing spectacle in 2026. 

Subscribe to the best Inspirations, Wildebeest Sightings, and Predictions Newsletters

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter

Get notified about new wildebeest sightings