Ikoma Wild Camp

Ikoma Wild Camp is our favourite wild camp. Here you get the best of everything.

The camp is located in a so-called wildlife management area, which connects Serengeti National Park with the two game reserves Grumeti and Ikorongo, otherwise known as ‘the western corridor’.

The corridor is the main route for animals migrating from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara. The animals roam freely throughout the entire area, so it is easy to spot elephants, zebras, antelopes, giraffes, buffaloes and other herbivores directly from the camp’s restaurant. It is not uncommon for lions to visit the camp itself, and of course there are also cheetahs and leopards who try hard to catch a good meal from the large smorgasbord of animals passing by. During the migration season (June-July), it is possible to experience the world-famous migration of 1.2 million wildebeest – right outside your tent! In large herds, they wander across the savannah in search of new pastures.

This wildlife management area is – in addition to serving as a link between the national park and the western corridor – also a source of income for the five villages located in the area. In order to disturb the migrating animals as little as possible, the rural villages are subject to a number of restrictions in relation to e.g. agriculture and livestock farming. On the other hand, part of the tourism income goes back to the local population at the same time that they are involved in the important task of protecting the animals.

Because of its location outside the national park, the camp is able to offer experiences which would not be open to you if you stayed within the national park itself.

For example, it is possible to purchase a ‘walking safari’, sundowner cocktails and not least the ‘night game drive’. These are completely unique experiences that are only available when you stay outside Serengeti National Park, where the restrictions are less strict than inside the park. If you’re up for it, it’s even possible to organise a morning or evening run around the camp. Of course, you will be accompanied by security guards, and the surroundings are absolutely fantastic!

These additional activities also make a big difference for the local area. All the rangers are locals who have received the appropriate training, and the extra experiences that the camp offers help generate income for their families and the villages. The rangers also play a key role in terms of the local population’s understanding of nature and wildlife, and with their extensive knowledge of the animals, they can alleviate many of the conflicts that one might or would experience when wild animals and humans live in close proximity.

When staying at Ikoma Wild Camp, the safaris still take place, of course, in Serengeti National Park. As a result, you can expect some driving back and forth between the camp and the national park (about 30-45 minutes each way). However, the extra opportunities you have given that the camp is not subject to the national park’s strict rules – as well as its high standards – make it definitely worth the drive.

Option to change
Naturally, if you wish to stay inside the Serengeti National Park, this is also possible. You can (against a supplement) choose to stay at Serengeti Wild Camp or Serengeti Wildebeest Camp.

Read more about what a “wild camp” actually is here.