Ubuntu Migration Camp (Asilia) — Hotel in Simiyu

WARNING: LENGTHY POST

Summary: One of the most incredible experiences of my lifetime. Camping with my family in a spotless tent in the Serengeti!

The safari experience: Festo was our guide. He is funny, his driving is exhilarating and prevented us getting stuck in the mud from the torrential rains. He is so knowledgeable about the animals and ecosystem and always willing to help if someone stuck in the mud which was everyday. We were never far away from Ubuntu camp on our daily excursions in morning and early afternoon. Festo always had warm cashews and plenty of drinks available for us in the open air safari vehicle. Rain covers are able to roll down when it is rainy or super muddy. This camp migrates with the animals so we were in the southern Serengeti in December and we saw babies and more babies. On way from airport to camp we saw 2 cheetah. We saw Zebra and babies, elephant protecting her baby, giraffe and babies. We learned about and saw a harem of impala. One male with 7 females! Our first night, a pride of lions apparently went by the tent and were distracted away by the guards who protect the tents at night. We heard hyenas much of the night and the occasional leopard was heard but not seen. Zebra and wildebeest would roam behind the tent and so we had an amazing view of animals on our " back patio ". We also saw jackals, fox, warthog ( as in Pumba from Lion King).

The camp: There was wifi in the bush! albeit spotty. We would come home after the morning and afternoon caked in mud all over and happy. We got a good scrub everyday from the bucket shower. Yes, a person will pour hot water that comes through a rain shower that you turn on with a single handle to control the flow. If you need more water you say "more water please" and the guy on the other side of the tent will pour more. There are flushing toilets and running water that would occasionally not work, but just required a refill of the tank. They provide bottled water to brush teeth and for drinking. They will do your laundry ( not underwear). The shower floor was made of teak I think. The family tent had 2 BR, 2 bathrooms with ensuite bathrooms and a living room. The double sinks in the bathrooms were made of brass I think that had a beautiful patina. Yes, glamping in the Serengeti....

The food : was amaaaaaazing. Chef can cook! He was very attentive to my being a vegetarian. They are willing to whip something up for you whenever you arrive. Most meals were buffet style. The staff: Besides the beauty of the animals roaming free in the Serengeti, the other incredible thing was the heart of the staff that run this incredible camp. They were all great, respectful and hard working. They have a good time doing their work too and it is hard work with the rain, mud and more rain and mud. On our last day there was torrential rain and it was a muddy mess as we left the camp to the airport. The staff carried the heavy metal bridges that are used to get from the tents to the lounge and dining room to have my family have a place to step without getting mud on our clothes. It made me tear up honestly. I highly recommend Ubuntu migration camp and honestly I highly recommend it in the southern Serengeti to...

We chose North Ubuntu Camp for our time in Tanzania, after tiring of some of the other "big box luxury" concessions on our previous safaris. Asilia Africa did not disappoint. Their service is excellent - both personal and professional, yet authentic to Africa and their culture. Requests are met with "we will try our best", instead of the "no, not possible" that we've heard elsewhere. Their best is pretty great! After a day of crowded sightings, we requested a big cat kill with no other vehicles and our guide worked hard to find us several occasions to fit the request. He also worked hard to help us see the great migration, as well as a crossing, even though the season was soon ending. Service didn't end at the drives - at camp, the manager Paul and assistant manager Francis worked tirelessly to make us comfortable, and the chef did miracles with the varied diets and drink requests. Try the african coffee, it's excellent, as is their vegetarian options. Francis mixes some great cocktails, and Paul, your firemaking skills are much appreciated! Our housekeeper Daniel braved many a downpour to provide hot showers and room service when we had no dry clothing to come to dinner.

The tents were pretty basic. Nothing was lacking per se, just it was very much like summer camp style as a child. Firm mattresses, canvas sides, plastic floor, bucket shower, zip up windows, filtered water. Hot water bottles at night when you were cold and wet, and cold showers in the day when you were hot - that's the only temperature regulation available. Would have liked a fan or heater, but there's limited electricity so be prepared. Rainy season came early and it poured buckets each night - umbrellas and galoshes are provided, but they're one sized. When things are wet, its impossible to dry them out properly until the sun comes out. The staff does everything they can to help, but sometimes nature is the winner.

Would I come again? It was certainly an adventure and a good place to see the migration, but as far as safaris - be aware it is a national park and not a concession - there can be a dozen vehicles crowded around a few lions, and there are dozens of vehicles at each crossing opportunity. The mobile camps are more rustic than the permanent establishments also, but more adventuresome if you are looking for that kind of thing. The staff are excellent and accommodating, and that made up for a...

Deeply Disappointed by Ubuntu Camp – A Distressing Experience with Asilia

I had high expectations for my stay at Ubuntu Camp, operated by Asilia, during my recent safari in Tanzania. Unfortunately, what was promised as a luxurious, seamless experience turned into one of the most distressing parts of my trip—and I feel compelled to share this for the benefit of other travelers.

Despite informing Camp Manager - Daniel in advance that I would need extra water to wash my hair, the bucket shower provided at Ubuntu Camp was both insufficient and dangerously hot. The water was scalding, straight from the pipe, and not safe for immediate use. This was more than an inconvenience—it was a clear failure to ensure basic guest safety and care.

My request for a morning game drive before my flight on my final day was unmet completely due to their misplanning of vehicle. I was given a so-called “game drive” that lasted under 30 minutes before being driven to the airstrip. This fell far short of the full safari experience I had paid for and expected.

The most upsetting part was the departure. I was dropped at the airstrip more than an hour earlier than necessary, without a proper farewell or escort, while other guests arrived much later. It became clear that my early drop-off was to accommodate new arrivals—an incredibly impersonal and hurtful way to end what should have been a memorable trip.

To add insult to injury, I was charged for a packed lunch on 4 August that was never delivered, promised a family tent but given a standard camp at Olakira, wrongly charged with other incorrect park fees and I was even mistakenly sent another guest’s itinerary—raising serious concerns about internal processes and data handling.

After raising these issues with Asilia directly, I received a dismissive response that failed to acknowledge the service failures or offer any form of meaningful resolution. They insisted all services were delivered, which I strongly contest based on my firsthand experience and the documented billing discrepancies.

For a company that markets itself as a leader in luxury safaris, the level of service and accountability I experienced was unacceptable. I would urge others considering Asilia to ask detailed questions and evaluate other operators who prioritize guest care...