To book a tented camp safari you need a specialist agent or tour operator.

While permanent camps are easy to book, mobile camps are a different matter!

There are only a limited number of camp sites available and mobile camp operators all compete for the same camp sites!

If you're not careful you may find yourself at a mobile camp that's far away from any wildlife action!

Booking a mobile camp requires exceptional knowledge of:

We operate our own mobile camps - thus we know every camp site and operator.

Location, Exclusivity, Location!

With only a few exceptions, staying in tented camps is the best way to experience East Africa on safari.  From the Gorilla Forest Camp in Uganda, to Little Governors' in the Masai Mara, to Swala in Tarangire, to Jongomero in Ruaha, these permanent tented camps share a common theme - classic safari luxury with a sense of intimacy in exotic locations.

In recent years a new style of luxury arrived on the East Africa safari scene to compliment the permanent tented camps - luxury mobile safari camps. These come in two different setups; seasonal (location is fixed for several months), and mobile (camp is moved daily or weekly depending on the safari itinerary).

Mobile camps differ greatly in terms of quality, location and price; common classifications are budget camping, semi-luxury camping, and luxury camping.

"Location" is an important consideration when choosing a tented camp. Prime designated camp sites are hotly contested by the different camping outfitters. Some permanent or seasonal tented camps are located very far outside the main wildlife parks, and even mobile camps have problems securing good camp sites during busy seasons.

To make matters worse, public and private (or special) camp sites are not clearly marked and documented. Very few people know the locations of all the camp sites in any of the East Africa wildlife areas. When you don't know the camp sites it is impossible to book the best ones!

The Kiliwarriors are the creators of the most complete and accurate maps of the popular reserves and parks in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. We visited, marked and photographed most camp sites in these countries and continue to update our lists.

 Armed with first-hand knowledge of camp locations and all the mobile camp operators, we are simply the best outfitter to book your tented camp safari!

Most permanent tented camps are built on wooden or stone platforms with permanent mortar/brick bathroom/shower areas at the back of each tent. Tents are made from canvas and khaki or cream colored tents are replacing the older military green.  To protect the canvas, tents are placed under canopies of canvas or natural materials such as makuti (palm frond) and thatch.

Most permanent tented camps are furnished very elaborately with electricity, ceiling fans, tables, chairs, four-poster beds, large mirrors and lush carpeting. Some of the newer, more upscale camps have air-conditioning, separate lounge areas, indoor/outdoor showers/bathtubs and even private plunge pools! There are several camps, however, with badly maintained or designed tents. For example, it is no fun to be eaten alive by mosquitoes in the bathroom of your tent due to the lack of proper netting!

As part of our ongoing Google Earth™ GPS mapping project we visit ALL camps and our knowledge of the camps and their locations cannot be matched by our competitors. We know which camps are best for any time of the year. And we certainly know which are the better camps!

Here are images of two typical permanent tented camps. As you can see, permanent tented camps are very comfortable and they don't lack any comforts when compared with safari lodges.

Seasonal tented camps move every few months according to wildlife movements and weather patterns. Once packed up, they leave no trace and the camp site can recover in time for the camp's return in the future. Most seasonal camps have long-term contracts with the Park Authorities or local communities and they return to the same locations year after year.

Since these camps are not allowed to have permanent structures, tents don't have elaborate platforms (some may have basic wooden or stone platforms). They have canvas canopies and the bathroom areas (attached to the tent) are canvas or densely packed brush.

These camps use solar or generator power plants. Air-conditioning, ceiling fans, hairdryers and other luxuries are  generally not available.  Once upon a time the living spaces were smaller than their permanent counterparts but a new breed of seasonal camps have very large tents and very comfortable furniture! In our opinion a few of the newer seasonal camps are on par with permanent tented camps! There are several camps, however, with badly maintained or designed tents. For example, it is no fun to be eaten alive by mosquitoes in the bathroom of your tent due to the lack of proper netting!

In general, seasonal camps have more tents than luxury mobile camps. We prefer a maximum of 8-10 tents.

Booking seasonal camps require good anticipation of wildlife movements, knowledge of camp locations and experienced guides who know the game driving areas.

Our seasonal camp partners are:

Here are images of a typical seasonal tented camp. As you can see, seasonal tented camps are very comfortable and they don't lack any comforts.

Client beware! How do you define a luxury tented camp and how do you know where your mobile camp will be located?

Here at the Kiliwarriors we are rather particular about the term "luxury". In the Northern Parks of Tanzania we operate our own luxury mobile camp; as a result we know a thing or two about camping! In addition, we team with the top mobile operators in East Africa to bring you the best mobile safari experience!

1. If you are part of  a group of 4 or more, or if you want the ultimate private safari,  you can request our own Kiliwarrior Grandeur of the Migration mobile tented camp. We will set up our luxury camp in remote, private areas just for you and/or your group!

2. If you are willing to share your mobile camp with a few other safari clients to manage costs, we will book your safari with one or more of our luxury mobile partners listed below. Which one we choose depends mostly on the camp location; we book our clients at the best camps at the best locations according to expected wildlife movements.  

Our luxury mobile camp partners include the best names in the industry:

We can also book these mobile camps on request from our clients.

Whether or not we use our own mobile  camp, our clients are assured of the highest quality in luxury mobile camping. In terms of mobile camps we define luxury using the following parameters:

Here are images of our own Grandeur of the Migration mobile camp. As you can see, our mobile camp is very comfortable and doesn't lack any comforts!

Plenty of outfitters offer mobile camping safaris and their camps differ greatly in terms of quality, price and locations. As a result we would not even attempt to define a semi-luxury camp! One person's semi-luxury camp is another's budget camp and so on. Here is a picture of a competitor's "semi-luxury" tents. The tents are dark inside and clients sleep on the ground (foam mattresses) in sleeping bags:

These Bow-style tents are typical semi-luxury offered by most outfitters.

As you can see below, Kiliwarrior tents are larger and more comfortable.

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Kiliwarrior Adventure of the Migration mobile camp

Our Adventure of the Migration mobile camps are light-weight and affordable, yet comfortable but without frills.  Please note:

 Here is a great travel journal (with pictures) from a family of 5 on a recent Kiliwarrior Adventure of the Migration safari! Other trip reports are available on our testimonials page.

Here are the specifications:

Sleeping Tent:

Selous type tent for two persons, with private verandah.
Size: 9.6 x 13.6 x 7ft.
Private shower and flush toilet in a special privacy tent right behind each tent
Wash basins

Privacy area in each tent for changing (the white curtain in the picture above) 

Wide 18" high camping cots with foam mattresses
Fresh linen + 2 blankets + African style bed cover.
2 Sets of towels.
Small table
Clothes Hangers
Safari chairs
African style floor rugs

Kerosene lamps
Torch
"Kangas" to cover table
Mirrors and waste baskets

Ultra-fine mosquito netting with large opening windows

The Mess Tent:

Spacious Mess Tent with screen windows.
We have 12v fridges and ice where available!
Bar stocked with complimentary soft drinks. Beer, wines and spirits are available upon request at extra charges.

The Staff

Guide and Cook (additional staff for larger groups) using a support vehicle.

Meals

Delicious 3 course meals cooked in open air, are served in a spacious dinning tent. Selection of salads carefully washed with boiled water (and served on vinegar dressing); soup, meat, fish and vegetables, pasta or rice, fresh fruits and cakes for dessert are part of our menus.

 

Sometimes these are fun. Sometimes these are bad. Very bad.

Small dirty tents, sleeping on the ground, horrifically dirty public toilets, cold showers, meat products prepared in unhygienic common areas.

These are typical budget camping images!

Basically, you travel from public camp site to public camp site with a driver/guide and cook. You are expected to help set up the tents (at least your own) and then find a place to wait for your meal being prepared in enclosed cooking areas (to keep the animals away from the food). Setting up camp in the rain is no fun. Since it takes an hour or more to pitch the tents or break them down, a lot of game-viewing time go to waste on budget camping safaris.

You may or may not have a mess tent. Some camp sites have seating areas.

In general, you get what you pay for. Expect the worst and you may enjoy the experience.

Some public camp sites are in excellent locations to hear wildlife at night - the Seronera camp sites in the Serengeti comes to mind. If you have a decent camping outfitter the public camping experience can be quite enjoyable but you must be prepared to share your experience with many others!

Beware of budget camping itineraries where you camp in towns (operator is trying to save money and avoid park fees and camping fees!) We often see unhappy clients who expected wildlife night sounds only to hear disco music and stray dogs barking all night! Here is an image of a typical "in-town" camp site:

Please note:

Despite our best efforts, clients who tried to save money by opting for public camping safaris have generally been unhappy with the conditions at the public facilities.  We simply cannot control the actions of other campers.