Reviews 132 • Excellent

Where to Stay

Pioneer Camp

from $1,020 per person per night for 2026/27

A stunning camp with views that take the breath away

Let’s Talk

Located in the southern centre of the Serengeti, Pioneer Camp is the latest addition to the Elewana portfolio and is a superb option for those that would like a little more luxury while still experiencing a luxury tented camp. Featuring some of the best views we have ever seen, this is ideal for those heading to the Serengeti in the window between March and June and from November until January. Definitely one of our top picks!

spectacular views, swimming pool, luxury bush camp

not easy for the less mobile

About the location

Located just around the corner from the equally good Dunia Camp, Serengeti Pioneer Camp nestles up against a rocky outcrop of Nyareboro Hill and looks out across the expanse of the central Serengeti.

This region is within an hour’s drive of the main game area of the Seronera but is on the end of a game loop and, as such, enjoys complete privacy from the madding crowds as well. With great game in the area around camp, this is definitely how we like our safari camps!

Do see Parks & Regions on this page.

camp Layout

The main areas of the property, as with many Elewana properties, have been designed to make the most of what must be one of the best views in Africa at the moment; looking out to the savannah’s horizon.

The vast and spacious tents are then dotted along the hillside with varying levels of elevation or involvement in the bush. Serengeti Pioneer Camp is not a camp for those that are hard of movement but it certainly ticks all the boxes for us.

Do see our new Pioneer Camp Picture Gallery further down this page.

Pioneer Camp Accomodation

Luxury is always a key phrase used when talking about the Elewana properties and Serengeti Pioneer Camp is no exception to that rule. Featuring pocket sprung mattresses, outside and inside relaxing areas and some fantastic views the accommodation is lavish and yet understated.

Do see Best Safaris & Holidays on this page.

Wildlife & Activities at Pioneer Camp

Being located right in the heart of the Serengeti means that you are always within a stone’s throw of spectacular game populations. As you are within the park boundaries it is not possible to drive off road or walk (as is possible to the north and to the south), but simply sitting in camp for a few hours will always reward with something to take a look at and, as one of the only small properties to have a swimming pool, the camp is an activity in itself.

Don’t miss our Pioneer Camp Wildlife Guide on this page.

How to book Pioneer Camp

Please call us in the UK on the usual +44 1525 840 149 or email info@theafricaspecialists.com to check availability, best prices and what adventures you have in mind. We can plan and arrange it all for you and have been for over 20 years!

Our Rating :

User Rating :

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Where is the Pioneer Camp?

Pioneer Camp

Pioneer Camp Highlights

Just some of the highlights of this hand-picked Serengeti National Park camp. Do call us direct for any other details or to help with planning and logistics.

12 luxury tents

driving safaris & balloon trip options

swimming pool included

private dining available

breath-taking views

all ages welcome

Pioneer Camp Picture Gallery

Do let us know if you would like to know anything more about the Pioneer Camp location, accommodation, activities or dining options.

Please go to either of our Tailormade Safari Trips pages to see a lot more safari trips, ideas and budgets.

What kind of wildlife should you expect to find around Pioneer Camp for 2026/27?

For 2026/27, we expect you’ll be able to find the following wildlife around the Pioneer Camp bearing in mind the quality of guiding, budgets, time of year and duration of stay all affect your chances of finding or seeing any of the following outstanding wildlife that dwell in this part of the Serengeti National Park…

Zebra

Lion

Leopard

Aardvark

Wildebeest

Cape Buffalo

Spotted Hyena

Giraffe

Pangolin

Cheetah

Hippopotamus

Elephant

Don't miss our full Africa Wildlife Guide right here.

What are your best safari trips & itineraries to Pioneer Camp’s Serengeti National Park for 2026/27?

Some of our most-popular tailor-made trips for the Serengeti National Park that could include a stay at Pioneer Camp include...

Days8Days13

Duration

$4,000$6,000

Price Brackets (USD)

1 Serengeti and mountain gorillas

Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania

Visits : Kigali, Serengeti National Park, Volcanoes National Park Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania

This incredible itinerary takes you to the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda to trek for the majestic mountain gorillas. The experience has been described as humbling, dramatic and simply extraordinary, and when you… More…

8 Nights

FROM $6,000pp/pn

2 Northern Honeymoon June to November

Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar

Visits : Ngorongoro Crater, Northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park, Stone Town, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar

We have searched high and low for a well priced trip to the north of Tanzania in what must be the main season for honeymooners to Tanzania and we think we may… More…

13 Nights

FROM $5,000pp/pn

3 North and The Beach

Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar

Visits : Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park, Zanzibar beaches Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar

This is the first of the itineraries to the northern safari parks of Tanzania. With the logistics of northern safaris and, due to their need to be around 6 nights for a… More…

12 Nights

FROM $4,000pp/pn

4 Best of the North and Beach

Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar

Visits : Ngorongoro Crater, Northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Zanzibar beaches Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar

Without a doubt, regardless of time of year, this would definitely be our recommendation for the safari circuits in the northern parks of Tanzania. Using small, luxury tented camps throughout, this is… More…

13 Nights

FROM $6,000pp/pn

Chem chem safari lodge wildlife tarangire tanzania

5 Short & Sharp

Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar

Visits : Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park, Stone Town, Zanzibar beaches Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar

This is a great little itinerary for those that are a little short on time and possibly short on funds! Ideal for seeing the wildebeest migration from November until June and good… More…

12 Nights

FROM $4,000pp/pn

Don't miss our new Africa Safari Finder to find safari ideas by destination, region and type...

What are the other best camps in Serengeti National Park for 2026/27?

We highly recommend the following camps for Serengeti National Park for 2026/27. These are all tried and tested by The Africa Specialists™ so don’t hesitate to call us with any queries over them or to check availability.

NB. All prices for properties exclude applicable park fees and are guide prices.

$237$3,564

Price pp pn (USD)

Stars3Stars5

Our Rating

tanzania

Do also see our full Top Five Hotels & Lodges in Africa guide to the best safari accomodation in Southern and East Africa.

The Pioneer Camp camp is recommended for the following Safari/Holiday Types For 2026/27...

Below are a few of activities and interests that we recommend for Pioneer Camp…

Please visit our What to Do in Africa page to see the full range of safari and holiday options available.

When is the best time to stay at Pioneer Camp in 2026/27?

Generally speaking, as the Pioneer Camp is in Serengeti National Park, we recommend booking stays here with us any time on the following timescales — depending on your preferences and wildlife/safari viewing plans — but if you want to avoid peak season or aim to get the timing “just right” then do call us any time to check your plans, costs and best options for a fantastic Pioneer Camp stay in the 2026/27 season…

January fair

Visiting in January 2026/27

With humidity across the country jumping after the short rains of November and December, it is normally recommended to consider the southern grasslands of the Serengeti in this window where the game viewing is outstanding and the temperatures in the relatively higher grasslands very comfortable. For the birders out there, this is the season for excellent birding across the country!

Activities & Events

Both the northern parks of the Serengeti and the southern parks of Nyerere and Ruaha are great to visit with wildebeest herds in the southern grasslands of the Serengeti.

Cheat Sheet

+ Mostly clear, dry weather
+ Fantastic wildlife viewing/numbers in the southern Serengeti
+ Quieter time to travel
– Can be humid in the southern parks

Top Tips for January 2026/27

+ Great price savings in the southern parks

February fair

Visiting in February 2026/27

As with January, with the rise in humidty, the February window is particularly good in the southern grasslands of the Serengeti where the wildebeest migration herds are milling before their yearly pilgramage northwards. Elsewhere, with the bush drying back, the game viewing starts to improve again.

Activities & Events

Head to the southern grasslands of the Serengeti for the wildebeest herds at their very peak!

Cheat Sheet

+ Mostly clear, dry weather
+ Great migration herds in the southern Serengeti
+ Fewer tourists travelling
– Southern parks are still quite green

Top Tips for February 2026/27

+ Consider the southern parks for secluded safaris

March fair

Visiting in March 2026/27

The March window is the last month when the wildebeest migration herds are together in the southern grasslands of the Serengeti. Towards the end of the month the main rains start to arrive into Tanzania and trigger the herd movement northwards. The southern parks of Nyerere and Ruaha are drying up and the humidity reducing which is making for good sightings once more.

Activities & Events

Game viewing is good across the country with the southern parks offering exceptional birding in particular.

Cheat Sheet

+ Mostly clear, dry weather until rains arrive at end of month
+ Fantastic wildlife viewing/numbers in southern Serengeti
+ Southern parks are empty
– Humidity is still high in the build up to the rains

Top Tips for March 2026/27

+ Head to the Western corridor in the Serengeti for early migration

April mixed

Visiting in April 2026/27

April and May are when the main rains come to Tanzania and it is a period of renewal for the country. As such, many of the parks and properties close for much needed maintenance and a well earned break for the staff. This being said, as the rains fall across the Serengeti, powerful storm clouds give spectacular backdrops to the game viewing that, if you venture to the central Serengeti, is still there in abudance.

Activities & Events

The wildebeest herds start to move through the southern regions of the Serengeti. The beaches on the coast still offer great relaxation options.

Cheat Sheet

+ Storm clouds give an awesome backdrop
+ Good game viewing in the central, Seronera region of the Serengeti
– Main rains have arrived which can dampen the mood
– Limited property options

Top Tips for April 2026/27

+ Can be excellent value with days of clear skies

May mixed

Visiting in May 2026/27

The second month of the main rains in East Africa brings more of the same. Spectacular lightening storms and rainfall that comes to renew the African earth. The wildebeest migration herds continue their movement to the northern grasslands of the Serengeti running through the Seronera and Grumeti river systems.

Activities & Events

Where the southern parks are now closed for tourism, the Serengeti offers great viewing and almost no other travellers.

Cheat Sheet

+ Storm clouds give an awesome backdrop
+ Good game viewing in the central, Seronera region of the Serengeti
– Main rains have arrived which can dampen the mood
– Limited property options

Top Tips for May 2026/27

+ Can be excellent value with days of clear skies

June great

Visiting in June 2026/27

With the end of the main rainy season comes a renewed energy to the bush. Plenty of young calves and healthy animals are enjoying this period of plenty. All of the main parks start to re-open with the migration herds of the Serengeti starting to reach the northern borders and spill over into the Masai Mara in Kenya towards the end of the month.

Activities & Events

Heading to the southern parks of Nyerere and Ruaha can really pay dividends in this month.

Cheat Sheet

+ Warm weather and low humidity
+ Bush starting to dry back in the southern parks
+ Migration herds running through central Serengeti
– Tourist numbers increase in the north

Top Tips for June 2026/27

+ A great month to head to the southern parks for low prices and great game

July best

Visiting in July 2026/27

July is considered to be one of the peak months to come to Tanzania. The wildebeest herds have now reached the northern grasslands of the Serengeti where they will reside for the next 3 months or so and the southern parks of Nyerere and Ruaha are now offering excellent game viewing.

Activities & Events

All eyes tend toward the wildebeest herds in the northern grasslands at this time of the year but, for us, we would also strongly recommend the southern parks.

Cheat Sheet

+ The dry season is in full swing
+ Really good game viewing across the country
+ The Great Migration is in the Lamai area
– Peak season rates puch up budgets

Top Tips for July 2026/27

+ For those not desperate to see the wildebeest consider heading south

August amazing

Visiting in August 2026/27

The second of the “peak” months to visit Tanzania, August offers amongst the best game viewing in Africa with wildebeest herds milling around in the north of the Serengeti and plenty of great game viewing in the southern and western parks.

Activities & Events

Game viewing across the country is exceptional but the northern Serengeti and Ruaha parks both deserve a special mention.

Cheat Sheet

+ Clear and dry weather throughout the month
+ Wildebeest herds are stationary in the northern grasslands
– This is as busy as it gets for tourists in the year
– Peak season prices can be offputting

Top Tips for August 2026/27

+ We would normally ask if it is possible to shift dates to September!

September great

Visiting in September 2026/27

September in Tanzania continues the exceptional game viewing of the previuos 2 months but with the added bonus that many of the tourist numbers are now starting to fall. With the wildebeest herds still located in the Lamai and the parks looking drier, this is probably our pick of the months in the year.

Activities & Events

With the exception of the hippo pods and denning crocodile in Katavi, you could put a pin in a map of Tanzania and get great game!

Cheat Sheet

+ The weather is dry and stable
+ Game has now congregated around the water sources
+ Visitor numbers fall off in the month
– While not as expensive as August, rates are still higher

Top Tips for September 2026/27

+ After the 11th September offers improved availability

October still good

Visiting in October 2026/27

October starts to offer a bit of a mixed bag as far as temperatures and rainfall goes. Towards the end of the month the short rains start to arrive and so trigger the wildebeest herd movement back to the southern grasslands of the Serengeti and temperatures start to increase.

Activities & Events

As the water recedes in the Katuma River, the hippo pods start to amalgamate and the crocodiles start to dig in for the drought in Katavi National Park.

Cheat Sheet

+ Dry weather for the first half of the month
+ Game viewing is still prolific throughout
+ a great time to get some winter sunshine!
– Rainfall towards the end of the month triggers herd movement

Top Tips for October 2026/27

+ Look to avoid the school holidays for better availability

November fair

Visiting in November 2026/27

November is, traditionally, the short rainy period in Tanzania. It is the month when the wildebeest migration herds are on the move from the northern grasslands back to the southern grasslands of the Serengeti, around Lake Ndutu. The game starts to disperse into the new bush growth in the Southern parks.

Activities & Events

With a drop off in rates, it can be a great time to head to Nyerere National Park to see the migrating bird numbers that arrive around now.

Cheat Sheet

+ Weather can be a bit changeable with short bursts of rainfall
+ Game viewing is still great at the front end of the month
+ The birding is particularly good
– The rainfall can disperse game and the wildebeest herds are on the move

Top Tips for November 2026/27

+ Look to the southern parks right at the start of the month

December fair

Visiting in December 2026/27

December is still considered to be a lower season month to come to Tanzania with the short rains in their second month and, accordingly, the wildebeest herds on their way down from the north to the south of the Serengeti and visibility in the southern parks becoming harder.

Activities & Events

Towards the end of the month the migration herds start to reach the southern grasslands.

Cheat Sheet

+ Short rains becoming drier at the end of the month
+ Low season rates offer great value for money
– It can be difficult to predict game viewing
– The festive period is crazily busy!

Top Tips for December 2026/27

+ Book early for the festive period

Don’t miss our full When to Visit tanzania guide on our main tanzania page.

Why travel with The Africa Specialists™?

1 100% tailormade

We help plan your trip from start to finish

We make sure to include all your interests

We offer a range of accommodation types

It is your trip, made to suit you

2 Expert knowledge

We have over 40 years of destination know how

We all spend time in our destinations annually

Local contacts give us unique insight

We are true specialists

3 We have you covered!

We have full ATOL bonding for your financial peace of mind

We provide 24/7 emergency backup as you travel

We make sure that the properties and guides are the best!

4 A trusted service

Established in 2010, you can totally rely on us.

Please call us any time on USA +1-917-336-2937 or drop us a note via our contact us page.

What our customers say...

“It is the people, the animals and the unique experiences that bring people back to Africa time and time again.”

Nick French, The Africa Specialists™

What to do next...

Begin Your Journey

Step with us into a world where every detail is curated, every moment considered, and every horizon feels like it was reserved exclusively for you.

Craft Your Bespoke Safari

Tell us what inspires you — and we’ll shape an African journey like no other — right down to the smallest detail.

Your Adventure, Tailored to Perfection

From private conservancies to remote luxury lodges, let us help you design your perfect safari adventure.

Please call us any time on USA +1-917-336-2937 or drop us a note via our contact us page.

Old Main Content

Nick/FiFi : This is the ‘old’ (imported) main content. Fi : This is what we’re copying up to the new hotel accordions.

Location

Located just around the corner from the equally good Dunia Camp, Serengeti Pioneer Camp nestles up against a rocky outcrop of Nyareboro Hill and looks out across the expanse of the central Serengeti. This region is within an hourâ€™s drive of the main game area of the Seronera but is on the end of a game loop and, as such, enjoys complete privacy from the madding crowds as well. With great game in the area around camp, this is definitely how we like our safari camps!

Layout

The main areas of the property, as with many Elewana properties, have been designed to make the most of what must be one of the best views in Africa at the momentâ€¦looking out to the savannahâ€™s horizon. The vast and spacious tents are then dotted along the hillside with varying levels of elevation or involvement in the bush. Serengeti Pioneer Camp is not a camp for those that are hard of movement but it certainly ticks all the boxes for us.

Rooms

Activities

Being located right in the heart of the Serengeti means that you are always within a stoneâ€™s throw of spectacular game populations. As you are within the park boundaries it is not possible to drive off road or walk (as is possible to the north and to the south), but simply sitting in camp for a few hours will always reward with something to take a look at and, as one of the only small properties to have a swimming pool, the camp is an activity in itself.

MORE PHOTOS >>

Hello world!

Where to Stay

Pioneer Camp

A stunning camp with views that take the breath away

About the location

camp Layout

Pioneer Camp Accomodation

Wildlife & Activities at Pioneer Camp

How to book Pioneer Camp

Where is the Pioneer Camp?

Pioneer Camp

Pioneer Camp Highlights

Pioneer Camp Picture Gallery

Please go to either of our Tailormade Safari Trips pages to see a lot more safari trips, ideas and budgets.

What kind of wildlife should you expect to find around Pioneer Camp for 2026/27?

Don't miss our full Africa Wildlife Guide right here.

What are your best safari trips & itineraries to Pioneer Camp’s Serengeti National Park for 2026/27?

1 Serengeti and mountain gorillas

2 Northern Honeymoon June to November

3 North and The Beach

4 Best of the North and Beach

5 Short & Sharp

Don't miss our new Africa Safari Finder to find safari ideas by destination, region and type...

What are the other best camps in Serengeti National Park for 2026/27?

From $2,315 per person per night

From $2,125 per person per night

From $1,365 per person per night

From $3,564 per person per night

From $1,496 per person per night

From $2,125 per person per night

From $1,075 per person per night

From $1,745 per person per night

From $3,220 per person per night

From $1,081 per person per night

From $375 per person per night

From $1,250 per person per night

From $950 per person per night

From $1,080 per person per night

From $237 per person per night

From $1,459 per person per night

From $1,360 per person per night

Do also see our full Top Five Hotels & Lodges in Africa guide to the best safari accomodation in Southern and East Africa.

The Pioneer Camp camp is recommended for the following Safari/Holiday Types For 2026/27...

Please visit our What to Do in Africa page to see the full range of safari and holiday options available.

When is the best time to stay at Pioneer Camp in 2026/27?

January fair

February fair

March fair

April mixed

May mixed

June great

July best

August amazing

September great

October still good

November fair

December fair

Don’t miss our full When to Visit tanzania guide on our main tanzania page.

Why travel with The Africa Specialists™?

1

100% tailormade

2

Expert knowledge

3

We have you covered!

4

A trusted service

What our customers say...

What to do next...

Begin Your Journey

Craft Your Bespoke Safari

Your Adventure, Tailored to Perfection

Old Main Content

Location

Layout

Rooms

Activities

Pioneer Camp