If your safari vibe is all about creature comforts without the frills of many ultra-luxe camps, Olmara Camp will be right up your street. Okay, maybe a dedicated stargazing bed counts as a frill, but it contributes to the stellar experience. The eight-suite camp is intimate and comfy, with large tents that have plenty of space for afternoons at leisure. And while we’re big fans of a few hours reading, napping and sipping a chilled chenin, full-day game drives around the incredible Serengeti National Park are an option if you’d rather spend hours watching a cheetah patiently prepare for an explosive hunt.
Nesting arrangements
Set in a thicket of acacia trees with views of the surrounding plains, Olmara’s eight tented suites are big and airy, with large mesh panels to let the light in during the day. The colour scheme is ochre, olive-green and khaki, reflecting the environment. King-size beds are hung with mosquito nets, next to lounge areas with a sofa and coffee table.
Three tents are stargazing suites with raised platforms accessed via wooden steps. Usually sleep-outs involve heading out for the night, so it’s very handy to be able to pop out to your own second bedroom (and back, if it gets too spooky late in the night).
Food philosophy
Packed breakfasts are an option for those who want to rock and roll in the mornings – head out early to make the most of prime time for wildlife sightings and have a picnic under a shady tree once the heat picks up. You could take lunch with you, too, if you plan to stay out all day.
Otherwise, a light lunch (salad, cold meats or pasta, with fruit for dessert) is served at camp. Dinner is a three-course affair – something along the lines of a hearty veggie soup, grilled chicken and sweet potato, and chocolate cake for pudding.
Secret sauce
The Serengeti is one of the best places in Africa to see a mind-blowing range of wildlife in a short time. Spend hours with elephants, buffalo, giraffes, hyenas, hippos, and herds of zebras and wildebeest. You might even see rarer animals, such as wild dogs.
Big cats are something of a speciality. The vast plains are solid cheetah habitat, allowing them to scan the area for potential prey and for enough space to ramp up to their record-setting top speeds. Expect to see lions and leopards, as well as littler felines like servals. Get your camera ready for some prime predator action.
You can explore this iconic national park on twice-daily game drives (in a private vehicle if you opt for the full “adventure package”), bush walks or even an overnight fly-camping adventure – a must for intrepid travellers.
One more thing…
A treat for those staying in a stargazing suite, a private lantern-lit dinner can be served on the tent’s elevated deck. It’s the perfect way to start a night under the stars. The snug stargazing beds are hung with mosquito nets so you can watch the glittering night sky without being totally exposed to the elements.
