Serian Lamai Wows All Year

Serian was started by the famous safari guide Alex Walker, and his camps now span the Serengeti and the Masai Mara – all of the Serian camps are homely, relaxed and informal – with huge romanticism to them, and real heart and soul. A focus on the guiding at Serian means that they have some of the best safari guides in East Africa.

Nestled within the breathtaking Lamai Wedge (a more private area of the Northern Serengeti, with fewer people but abundant game), Serian’s permanent camp awaits you year-round. While April and May bring a brief closure for maintenance — when Serian local fundis (artisans) meticulously tend to every detail—the remaining months offer an unparalleled safari experience, the rest of the year has something to offer, with every month being slightly different to the last, and of course huge change when the Wildebeest Migration comes through from July to October.

Imagine acacia-strewn savannah grasslands, the meandering Mara River, and the backdrop of the Oloololo Escarpment—a landscape reminiscent of scenes from “Out of Africa.” Here, you’ll find freedom to roam and explore away from the crowds, something which is now very unusual in the Serengeti.

July – October see the river crossings taking center stage from Serian Lamai’s base, which is only 600 meters above crossing point #4, one of the most prolific crossing points on the Mara River – what a privilege to be close to this crossing, which cannot be reached by the hundreds of vehicles which crowd some of the other crossing points – with some behaviour in those areas being unethical and something we do not support.

Outside of the river crossings, the Lamai wedge offers spectacular game viewing in the off-season. Its four resident lion prides, incredible leopard sightings, and huge herds of elephants, buffalo, and plains game make it a must-visit destination.

With the “wildebeest herds” moving on, the Lamai shows its true colours. A photographer’s eden, it is a joyful animation where herds of Topi, Zebra, and Buffalo litter the plains. Leopard and Lion thrive in this flourishing environment. The Mara River wends its way lazily on, providing refuge and sustenance for some of Africa’s densest Hippo and Elephant populations. This is the “Secret Season,” far from the madding crowds.

Starting from Serian Lamai’s newly established home in the Lamai wedge, traverse the Serengeti with a few nights of adventure fly camping en route to the Southern Plains. Witness the spectacle of the calving season from Serian’s remote traditional mobile camp in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

From the imposing lions of Lamai to the mind boggling wildebeest birthing season, Serian’s unique itinerary offers an all-encompassing slow safari experience and we absolutely adore these camps, and so do our clients.