Escape to the Wilderness…

Serengeti Simba Lodge, named after the lion (simba in Swahili)—king of the jungle, a symbol of strength, pride and royalty—sits high on a hill with endless vistas of the great Serengeti plains. We welcome you to explore, experience and enjoy the African wilderness and the amazing Serengeti as our guest at Serengeti Simba Lodge.

The ‘Serengeti Migration’ passes the lodge twice a year, around June-July and again in October when millions of ungulates make their annual trek through the Serengeti eco-system. With awe-inspiring panoramic views of the vast savannah, Serengeti Simba Lodge is home to prolific birdlife and a stunning array of large game including: lion, buffalo, cheetah, leopard, giraffe, elephant, bush buck, zebra, gazelle and hartebeest.

Night game drives and performances by the Simba Dance Troupe will add to the experience of spectacular sunrise and sunset. At night listen to the trumpeting of elephant, the laughing hyenas and the roars of our namesake.

The common area of the lodge (reception, bar and dining) is built around a ‘kopje’ or rocky outcropping, providing an unusual and natural background for your enjoyment. But the one thing everyone comments on is the amazing views of the Serengeti to be seen from every vantage point on Serengeti Simba Lodge’s grounds.

Children over age six are most welcome at the lodge and must be under parent’s supervision at all time. Children under the age of thirteen must share a room with an adult (17 or older). 

 There are two large family rooms in our Stone House.

  • “What a wonderful place… so peaceful. We loved the views, the tents and the great service. Thank you for everything!
  • “If you want great service, food, staff, views, accommodation and a wonderful experience, this is the place!”
  • “Thank you very much for our best days in Africa.”
  • “The staff was so accommodating and the service received was phenomenal. Thank you all so much for making our stay at Serengeti Simba Lodge so enjoyable!”

Serengeti Simba Lodge is committed to playing a role in improving the lives of the surrounding community, the people of the Ikoma tribe. In addition to providing vital employment opportunities, a bed night fee is paid to the local village council, which helps fund development projects.

Please Take Note: Our lodge is not suitable for guests with ambulatory issues as there are quite a few stairs in the common area and the paths are a bit rough and in some places are steep. Fit elder people do fine but for the very old or disabled we regret we are unable to accommodate.

Fine hospitality for safari travellers

At Serengeti Simba Lodge we have two types of accommodation. 

Our fifteen uniquely designed “tents” are in fact a hybrid, with all the romance of a tent but the security of a more permanent structure; using canvas in the construction, but built on solid stone foundations with thatch roofs, attached concrete baths and outdoor showers plus a private deck from which to enjoy the endless views of the Serengeti. There are five twin and ten queen tents; triples are possible.

Serengeti Simba Lodge’s six-room Stone House features two twin, two queen and two family rooms– each with two queen beds. The family rooms are large enough to add an additional twin bed for a child. Amazing views across the Serengeti savannah to the distant Grumeti River add to the ambiance of the rooms. You can sit and watch the wildlife drift across the Serengeti plains from the private comfort of your room in the Stone House.

Every en-suite tent and room has a magnificent view of the Serengeti; most enjoy a view of either sunrise or sunset. All rooms are beautifully and simply decorated with local fabrics and hard wood furniture; the beds all have mosquito nets. Full amenities are provided and rooms are solar powered with solar heatedwater; there isa power strip for battery charging that’s live when the lodge generator is on (approximately 6 hours per day). There’s also a 24-hourcharging station at reception.

Each room has a torch (flashlight) and umbrella for use during your stay with us.

There’s a secure safe for your valuables.
A whistle is also provided in case you need to alert the security guards.

As the solar lighting may be dimmer than you’re used to, we highly recommend you bring a headlamp or book-light for reading in bed at night.

Due to our solar electrical system it’s not possible to use a hair dryer at Serengeti Simba Lodge. We kindly request that you don’t attempt to plug in a hair dryer as in all likelihood it will blow the system resulting in loss of power to the entire lodge.

We can only accommodate CPAP (sleep apnea machines) if they run on battery power, as we don’t have 24-hour electricity. You must be fully versed in how the machine works and able to assist the lodge staff in charging the battery. Please advise when booking if you use this device.

Restaurant

We serve continental food at Serengeti Simba Lodge. We use only the finest local ingredients available with an emphasis on healthy food including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

 On special occasions we have an outdoor bar-b-que and if you need to go with a picnic breakfast that’s no problem.

 

Here are some highlights about our food:

  • Fresh bread and rolls are baked daily
  • We can cater to vegetarians and gluten free diets
  • Fatty, fried and oily foods are avoided
  • Tanzanian coffee and tea plus a full selection of locally produced herbal teas and hot chocolate are always offered
  • We’ve tried hard to develop a lunch box that’s different from the rest. If you lunch at the lodge you will be served a selection of quiche, pizza and salads  or in cold weather spaghetti or curry and rice.
  • We have a flexible meal schedule if required, please advise the management. Do let us know of any special dietary requirements or special events such as a birthday or anniversary as early as possible.

The common area of the lodge houses reception, lounge, bar, dining room, viewing deck, pool with sun deck and the campfire area.There is free wireless Internet in the inside common areas.On arrival you’ll be welcomed to reception with a refreshing towel and cool glass of juice. 

Relax at the bar with a soft drink, Serengeti Beer or perhaps a nice glass of wine from South Africa. Our dining room is built around the rocky outcropping situated on the top of our hill providing a natural backdrop.

The campfire ring is another place where you can relax. Every evening the fire is lit at sunset; it’s a perfect place to enjoy an after dinner drink under the African skies

Free wi-fi

solar power

Lounge

Bar

Dining

Campfire Area

Free wi-fi

solar power

Lounge

Bar

Dining

Campfire Area

Pool With Sun Deck

Activities

Guests can embark on exhilarating game drives in the nearby Serengeti National Park or the surrounding Ikona Wildlife Management Area, both of which boast stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife. Explore the vast savannah plains and witness iconic African species such as lions, elephants, and wildebeests in their natural habitat. The Serengeti is renowned as one of the most beautiful wildlife areas on the planet, making it a must-do experience for any safari enthusiast’s bucket list. With expert guides leading the way, every game drive promises unforgettable encounters and breathtaking views, offering a truly immersive safari adventure.

Delve into the mysteries of the nocturnal world with guided night drives. Spot elusive creatures under the starry sky and experience the thrill of exploring the wilderness after dark.

Learn about Tanzanian culture by visiting nearby villages. You can meet friendly locals, see traditional crafts, and experience daily life in Tanzania.

Enjoy lively dance performances at the lodge on special occasions and get a taste of Tanzanian traditions. Watch colorful dances and feel the rhythm of African music.

Enjoy a serene swim in the lodge’s pool overlooking the vast Serengeti savannah. Sip on your favorite beverage as you watch the mesmerizing sunset, painting the sky with brilliant hues and enhancing the beauty of the landscape.

Experience the magic of sundowners in the Serengeti as you unwind with refreshing drinks against the backdrop of the setting sun. Toast to another day of adventure and soak in the peaceful ambiance of the African wilderness.

Come together around a crackling campfire under the starlit sky to exchange stories of your safari adventures. In the morning, indulge in a delightful bush breakfast experience amidst the serene wilderness, starting your day in the most spectacular way possible.

Game drives in

Guests can enjoy game drives in nearby Serengeti National Park or the surrounding Ikona Wildlife Management Area, where the lodge is located. This area is one of the most beautiful wildlife areas on the planet. A must do for the bucket list!

Campfire

Each night the watchmen light the campfire for your enjoyment. Have your pre-dinner drink here after the sun sets or enjoy a nightcap under the millions of stars that dot the African sky before heading to bed.

Simba Dance Troupe:

They call themselves the Simba Dancers and created their own costumes and instruments, which have been upgraded over the years with the revenue they receive from us for performing. (The original leg rattles were made out of Quaker Oats tins filled with stones and pounded closed!)

Dancing exclusively for Serengeti Simba, they have a creative repertoire of traditional dances from the Ikoma tribe, some of which are quite raucous and somewhat bawdy. But it’s all in good fun. During the busy seasons the group dances about three times a week. You can book a special performance.

Enjoy the swimming pool

Get some much needed exercise and relaxation in our swimming pool while enjoying the views across the vast Serengeti.

Night game drives 

are provided in the lodge vehicle during the dry seasons (June-October). Don’t miss this exciting experience, not available inside the park, to see nocturnal animals and experience the savannah under a canopy of stars or possibly the full moon. You can pre-book a night game drive with your tour operator or inquire at reception on arrival.

Reviews

The most beautiful place and location to stay om the planet
This was the second lodge we stayed. Our lodge was situated at a vantage point backing off on to the dense jungle and farm land with undisturbed views. The management and staff were most welcoming and made us feel at home from the point we arrived. It was always service with a small and the staff would go out of their way to meet all our demands, Including dietary.

Suku P London, United Kingdom

A Great Stay
We stayed at Karatu Simba Lodge for two nights of our week honeymoon Safari trip, once on the second night, and once on the fifth night. The staff at the Karatu Simba Lodge are so lovely and friendly, the rooms were great, spotlessly clean with beautiful views. We were given the Lion lodge on both of our stays; it was appreciated to have the same room in such a great spot. We arrived to beautiful flowers on the bed spelling out ‘Happy Honeymoon’ ....

nlh_92 Nantwich, United Kingdom

We love this place
Our tour Operator booked this lodge for safari tours at the Ngorongoro Crater. The lodge is located in the middle of a breathtaking landscape. We received a very warm welcome. All the staff are very friendly and the food was plentiful and very tasty. We were provided with extensive and delicious packed lunches for our excursions. Good WiFi available without complicated registration. We will always remember the very friendly staff, the unique location...

Wolfgang H GB

A very pleasant experience
The hotel is next to the jungle and a village. If you are lucky, at night it is possible to hear the noises of the bats that live in the jungle trees. The staff is friendly. At the reception there is a common tip box, so you don't have to give a tip to each individual worker. The food was good, there were several dishes to choose from. The rooms were nice, clean and the view, especially from the front row, was impressive. The staff was very nice.

maryllera2024 USA