Mila Tented Camp

AREA & ACTIVITIES

Habitat & Wildlife
With an area of some 14,000 sq. km, Serengeti is probably the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world. The ecosystem includes the National Park itself, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Maswa Game Reserve and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, together forming one of the most complex and least disturbed ecosystems on earth. The landscape was originally formed by volcanic activity in the Ngorongoro highlands and it varies from the open short grass plains in the south, to savannah and scattered acacia woodlands in the centre, to extensive woodland and black clay plains in the west, to hilly wooded grassland in the north. Most of the permanent water is found towards the northern and western areas, the lack of permanent water and food in the south being the main reason for the annual migration.

The park is home to approaching 2,000,000 wildebeest, 500,000 Thomson’s gazelle and 250,000 zebra: the largest concentration of plains game in Africa. More than 30 species of herbivores are found here, as well as all the major predators and nearly 500 species of birds.

The southern reaches of the park consist of endless ‘short-grass’ open plains. The hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, gazelles and zebra congregate on these plains from December to April, usually calving around the end of January when the nutritious grass is at its best. Depending on grazing conditions and water supply, the start of the Serengeti annual migration begins at the end of this period, and the herds begin to march north/westwards, ‘lowing’ incessantly so that the air hums like a dynamo (zebra first, then the wildebeest and gazelles). Lion, cheetah, hyaena and wild dog follow, ensuring that only the fittest survive, while jackals trail behind and vultures circle overhead.
The central and western sections of the park are fantastic for game viewing all year round, though wild dogs and rhino are not encountered.

Mila is located in the ‘western corridor’ of the Serengeti, an area of the park that can offer year round excellent game viewing. The habitat is varied, changing quickly from vast open plains to thick riverine forest along the Grumeti River. The migration herds can often be seen close to Mila Camp between May and July as they pass through on their way north.

Activities
As the camp is located in the Serengeti National Park, activities focus on day time game drives, but each booking includes sole use of vehicle so you can plan your day to suit, whether heading out for a full day, or having a morning and afternoon game drive. Guided walks are also available. Hot air ballooning can be arranged from June to October at extra cost.

Seasons
Mila Tented Camp is open from mid May through to the end of March and while game viewing is good year round, the migration season is between May and July.