Namiri Plains is one of those unique places in the Serengeti—a ‘must-visit,’ no matter the season. This is big cat country, where asking if a cheetah is just a fancy name for a leopard is perfectly normal on your first day (it’s not, by the way). No need to panic—most people can’t tell a serval from a civet or a leopard from a cheetah. That’s why you’re here, after all, and for the endless plains.
The Eastern Serengeti was closed to tourists for two decades to let the cheetah population restore itself. (Apparently, cheetahs, like the rest of us, appreciate a bit of ‘me time.’) The open plains are the ideal habitat for cheetahs, and it’s here on these plains that they can reach their mind-numbing speeds. Watch for leopards and lions perched on kopjes (rocky outcrops) also enjoying the views.
While the Serengeti is often thought of as flat, endless plains, much of it is surprisingly woodland. The west and north are more forested than you’d expect, but head east and things are… let’s say, well-groomed, with fewer bushes and better views.
The eleven tented suites all open up to endless golden views stretching to the horizon, with expanded decks and outdoor baths designed to make the most of this timeless landscape.
At Namiri Plains, kick off the day with an early morning drive (after a quick coffee), and as evening falls, head out for a sunset game drive topped off with sundowners in the bush.
