Mbuzi Mawe Tented Lodge

The Tactical Bridge

Strategically positioned at the northernmost edge of the Central Serengeti, Mbuzi Mawe (elevation 5,133 feet) serves as a premier base for exploring two of the park’s most iconic regions. It sits just a mile from the main road, making it a perfect pivot point between the lush central valleys and the rugged northern hills.

Key Regions:
A Safari Microcosm

Staying at Mbuzi Mawe provides effortless access to the most productive and diverse game-viewing circuits in the entire ecosystem:

• Seronera Valley & River: A short drive to the southwest brings you to the world-famous heart of the Serengeti. Known for its staggering density of resident big cats, the Seronera River provides permanent water that draws lions, leopards, and cheetahs year-round.
• Lobo Valley: To the northeast lies the Lobo Valley, where the landscape becomes more rugged. This is a pristine wilderness dominated by ancient rock formations and home to some of the largest resident lion prides in Africa.
• Retina Hippo Pool: One of the most famous sights in the park, this pool hosts hundreds of hippos “singing” and jostling in a muddy, energetic display. It is one of the few places where guests can get out of the vehicle and walk right to the river’s edge.
• Makoma Hill: Famous for its sweeping panoramic views, this area is a notorious “cheetah capital,” where the world’s fastest land animals use the elevated terrain to scan for prey.

Turner’s Spring: A reliable, year-round water source that acts as a magnet for wildlife. It is a premier location for spotting leopards in the nearby acacia trees and lions waiting in the tall grass for thirsty plains game.

Beyond the Vehicle

Mbuzi Mawe distinguishes itself by offering activities that are difficult to find elsewhere in the National Park:

• Guided Nature Walks: As one of the few properties in the Serengeti permitted to offer foot safaris, Mbuzi Mawe allows you to step out of the vehicle and into the wild. Led by expert guides, these walks reveal the “micro-mysteries” of the bush—from tracking paw prints to learning the medicinal secrets of the flora.
• Signature Kopje Sundowners: The lodge offers a truly unique ritual: cocktails served at the summit of a granite kopje. Watching the sky turn to a deep violet over the Serengeti plains from the top of an ancient boulder is an experience that defines the word “magical.”

• Rare Nature Walks: One of the few Serengeti properties offering guided walking safaris.
• Kopje Sundowners: Exclusive sunset cocktails on top of ancient granite boulders.
• Namesake Sightings: Reliable viewing of the “acrobatic” klipspringer antelopes on-site.
• Best of Both Worlds: Dual access to the Seronera River Valley and the Lobo Valley.
• High-Tech Wilderness: Wi-Fi available in sleeping tents and 24-hour electricity.
• Family-Friendly Beds: Two queen-size four-poster beds in every tent.
• Nearby Game Hotspots: Proximity to Makoma Hill, Turner’s Spring, and the Retina Hippo Pool.