Serengeti Bushtops is an ultra-luxury tented camp in the northern Serengeti National Park, famous for combining raw wilderness with some of the most indulgent comforts on safari. Just fifteen enormous en-suite tents — each open on two sides, facing the sunset and with its own private hot tub — look out over the endless plains, backed by attentive personal service and superb guiding.
At a glance
- Where: Northern Serengeti, within reach of the Mara River and the Great Migration corridor, northern Tanzania.
- Style: Award-winning "wild luxury" tented camp — intimate, exclusive and richly appointed.
- Rooms: 15 vast tented suites, each with a private hot tub, viewing deck and personal steward.
- Signature: Private hot tubs facing the plains, Simba's Rock sundowners and the extraordinary 6×6 game viewer, The Beest.
- Best for: Couples, honeymooners and discerning travellers wanting the finest end of a Serengeti safari.
Why stay at Serengeti Bushtops
Bushtops has built its reputation on pairing the thrill of the Serengeti with a level of comfort more often associated with a grand hotel — and doing it without ever losing the sense of wilderness. Featured by the likes of Forbes, National Geographic and Condé Nast Traveler, it is regularly named among the world's most luxurious safari camps. With only fifteen tents, none overlooked and all facing the sunset, it delivers space, privacy and a genuinely personal experience.
Where it is — and getting there
The camp sits in the northern Serengeti, within striking distance of the Mara River — the stage for the dramatic migration crossings. Guests typically fly by light aircraft to a northern Serengeti airstrip and transfer to camp, often as part of a wider northern-circuit trip that can also take in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Tents and suites
Each of the fifteen tents is among the largest you will find on safari — open on two sides for panoramic views, richly furnished, and complete with an en-suite bathroom, a spacious deck and a private hot tub overlooking the plains. A personal steward looks after you throughout your stay, so every detail is taken care of from wake-up coffee to a nightcap by the fire.
Safaris and game drives
Game viewing is the heart of the experience, with morning, evening and full-day drives in specially converted open 4×4 vehicles. Expert guides help you find the action — from big cats to the migration herds — as well as the perfect secluded spot for a picnic. For something truly unique, the camp's 6×6 "Beest" game viewer takes luxury on wheels to another level, with heated seats, a fold-out bar and even a kitchen on board.
Sundowners and signature moments
One of the camp's most loved rituals is a sundowner at Simba's Rock — named for the lions who favour the same spot — where drinks at dusk come with sweeping views over the plains. Back at camp, a glowing campfire and the vast Serengeti sky make for an unforgettable close to the day.
Dining
Dining at Bushtops is a refined, relaxed affair: an à la carte menu with multiple choices, elegant service and the option to be escorted to your table with the campfire glowing nearby. Whether under canvas or the stars, meals are designed to feel indulgent yet unhurried — the perfect end to a day in the bush.
Wellness and relaxation
Beyond the private hot tubs, the camp offers spa and wellness treatments to ease away the day, alongside quiet corners for simply soaking up the peace. As one guest put it, the peacefulness, solitude and beauty here are something you can't put a price on.
Family and group stays
With its spacious tents, personal stewards and flexible dining, Bushtops can accommodate families and small groups looking for an exclusive base, while its intimate scale keeps the atmosphere calm and refined throughout.
Best time to visit — and good to know
The northern Serengeti is at its most dramatic during the migration months, roughly July to October, when the Mara River crossings take place, though the resident wildlife rewards visitors year-round. To plan the wider trip, read our guides to the best time to do a Tanzania safari and what to pack, and browse more Tanzania lodges and camps to shape your itinerary.
