I've been meaning to write this review for a few weeks and would like to start by saying Sayari camp and its team was our favourite place in Tanzania we stayed in 5 different hotels/camps with mainly Asilia properties booked through Rhino Africa (legends!) Sayari topped them all. We did 4 perfect nights over christmas (with turkey and ham and all the spoilt trimmings!) The Location is so fantastic, Barbara and Joe and their team are so down to Earth and take the time to make sure everything is planned the way you'd like, they enjoy interacting with all their guests and bless them all for listening to everyones adventures each day as they've probably heard a million times! Malaki was our driver such a legend and so nice to talk to each day but your lucky if you get to know any of their team we thought they were all so professional and kind.
We are so glad we werent there during the migration as I think it would distract from the spectacular place that it is on a daily basis. Nature at its best, the resident animals that stay year round are so fantastic, you feel so priveledged to be apart of it all. We saw everything, many prides of lions, leopeards, many elephants,hippo, giraffe, leopard and even when we were up early enough we caught some of the nocturnal animals like foxes and rabbits around.
It is such a huge misconception that its only good at migration because when its not its so peaceful the animals are so relaxed, they wander around your camp and you get to wander around more freely then in peak migration. You have a great night sleep each night (even when we had the female lion by our tent in the night!) and your spoilt rotten because its not as busy. Barbara even gave us the Honeymoon tent at the end of camp which we loved because its quieter down that end so we had so many animals around us each day and night, it is the longest walk compared to the other tents but if you like privacy and are happy to have more animals wander around your tent then its fantastic.

The afternoons were quite warm so the pool was awesome for a dip and the camp and pool look over to the kenya border and its mountains which is a view to die for. Each days game drive goes in a different direction with a totally different lanscape! stunning! It does tend to have a rain shower in the late afternoon (5pm) at that time of year but it doesnt bother you and the nights get cool so jeans and a long top are good for dinner. Yes there are bugs it is africa! but there is spray in your room! anyone complaining about bugs etc should not be in Africa! Oh and hot water bottles in your bed each cool night kept us cozy! The food was amazing! We were so impressed by the cooks and their creativity ( they only get a delivery truck out to the camp I think every 4 days or so) and it was the most remote location that we stayed at but their food was the best! Magic! All round great people in a great location with great rooms equals one special place Sayari! Thank you for having us! Asilia should be proud!

Victoria - Feb 2011

Check out for detailed review about Sayari Camp:

http://www.i-escape.com/places_to_stay_overview.php?hotel_key=841

Charlotte Bonsey - 7th January 2011

We loved our stay at the Sayari Lodge. From arriving at the airstrip and being greeted with drinks and delicious homemade cookies, to the warm greeting by Barbara, Joe, Maggie and others with towels to freshen up with, we knew this would be special. The "lodge" is a series of specially designed "tents". They are canvas, 2 layers, so that windows and large sliding glass doors could be integrated, to see outside without the netting if you want. The lobby is spacious and lovely, truly a comfortable place to sit around in, my kids camped and played Monopoly there...The tents where we stayed were fabulous. A large sleeping area with comfortable king size bed, mirror, place to hang clothing etc. and then a partitioned bathroom area, separate toilet area, large shower room with downpour 'head', and a designer tub in front of a big sliding window/door. The sinks are carved rocks, very modern all of it but done with natural materials, beautiful-and everything works! Water is heated by solar and the tanks are large enough to not run out of hot water. The tents were far enough away from each other that there wasn't noise from anything but the animals who were in fact in the camp at night, we saw a hippo, lioness and in the morning zebras, impalas among others...(hippos are noisy at night and lion's roar can shake the tent, gently.) We were walked to our tents nightly by local guides hired for just this purpose-I liked that the local villagers were hired and the jobs rotated so that more people from the village could participate. Also, there is a foundation Honeyproject, which is helping through things like providing seeds to grow food and then sell to the camp(s) that was for us, nice to hear about.

Meals were top notch, creative salads, incredible baked goods and desserts, fresh fruit, delicious, well prepared mains-it was hard to believe that with the remoteness of the camp this was possible let alone at this level. If you'd be away on safari during meal time, your meal was packed, 'breakfast in the bush' was far better than our regular breakfast at home. Water was said to be safe but we drank bottled but didn't worry so much in the shower or brushing teeth-and never had a problem.

Sayari is really out there so don't plan on high speed internet, think casually paced internet and just in the office; my phone didn't work, my husband's did, sometimes. No tv and no radio-frankly that made it such a nice and total break from real life but be prepared, there are games, board etc. in the main building, all in good shape and kept my kid's attention who normally are addicted to screens.

We were here during the 'off season', we missed the wildebeest migration, but we also missed the 'crowds' and saw incredible things daily. Rhinos, lions, cheetahs in action-were but a few of the animals. Our guide(s) were great, the one who greeted us upon arrival had another obligation-both had extensive knowledge of the area and animals and both were so gracious and fun. We were told by our second guide, that Sayari was 'the best' camp to stay as a guide, that meant a lot to us. There was an incident (no one from the camp's fault) and at dinner I sat next to Barbara and was inquiring since it involved guides from the camp. Her extensive knowledge of how things run with the parks, the fact they are often helping the local rangers, understanding local politics etc. plus her care about the people who work at Sayari and visitors was reassuring.

Among the treats we experienced that my children think we (I) should incorporate in our life at home are: tea/coffee and homemade cookies in bed for wake up; afternoon tea and cookies; hot water bottles in the turned down beds at night and a gourmet salad selection for lunch;-it's in committee.

There are several tents and I read some people felt too many, but the way it's set up, it was intimate-at least for us. We'd eat dinner, the 5 of us sharing a table with Barbara and one other couple, it was terrific, way to exchange notes, meet some new people-and we are the family who hates 'family dining with others'-so we aren't the 'friendlies'-type to seek out new people, but this was nice.

We highly recommend Sayari and Malaki as a guide-great guy! We'd return in a NY minute.

Tripadvisor - January 2011

We stayed at Sayaris in June 2010 and we found it the best camp of our whole trip. It has 16 tents, 8 at one side and 8 at the other side. But as the tents are widespreadly distributed you don't happen to see them (just your neighbours). Everything is neatly set up. The main tent is large and has a great interior. There are two dining tents, but we saw just one because there were not so much people there. You it at larger tables with your camp mates, which is also a nice idea (as at Oliver's, where we stayed before). The swimming pool is superbly integrated into a natural rock and it is incredibly relaxing to swim in it after a long safari day. The tents are big, as is the bed, the shower rocks as well as the free-standing bathtube in front of large windowed sliding doors. Outside there is a terrace with a couch - if you sit quiet for a while you can see Impalas passing by just at a 3 metres distance. We really loved it!! Highly recommended!!!

Tripadvisor - December 2010

Gorgeous luxury tents that blend in perfectly with the wild bush surroundings. The place is beautiful, and my guide enjoyed staying there too. Food was great, can't beat the location, and the bush walk with Joe and Barbara is not to be missed. The staff are lovely. It couldn't have been better!


Tripadvisor - December 2010

The camp is five-star all the way - from impeccable service, to delicious food to pristine “tent” accommodations. (I put tent in quotes because our “tent” was truly designer-inspired and nothing like any tent I’ve stayed in before.) The camp is perfectly situated to catch The Great Migration in September, as it's very close to the Mara River -- where crossings seemed to happen daily during our three-night stay! We had wildebeests, zebras and elephants roaming our “backyard” when we awoke each morning. Barbara and Joe go out of their way to make all guests feel welcome and taken care of. Definitely book a walking safari during your stay! Note: The fact that you can off-road in Serengeti National Game Preserve is a HUGE PLUS, as so many of the other parks don’t allow vehicles to veer from marked trails. This provides a sense of freedom (and a proximity to animals) unmatched by other Tanzania parks we visited.

Tripadvisor - September 2010

We were travelling with a 5, 12 and 9 year old and could not have chosen better. The migration is all around the camp (can be noisy at night!) and the other wildlife was outstanding too. The accomodation is excellent and the camp managers could not have been more helpful. The swimming pool was great for the children as it was very hot at midday. We all had a wonderful time.
Julie Llewelyn and family - September 2010

This is truly a five star experience in a five star environment. Our second visit was as memorable as our first. Barbara, Joe and Simon are perfect hosts and treated us as if we were guests in their home. It was also good to see Titus again, our guide from last year. We were also very happy with Esto, our guide this year who provided us with great experiences we will long remember. Our visit would have been made perfect by a sighting of those elusive rhinos that are now being spotted on the Tanzanian side of the Serengeti/Masai Mara border; but, we suppose it is reason enough for us to come back for a third visit. We were fortunate to witness the greatest show on earth, the wildebeest (and zebra) migration in its prime. In the evenings, after the elephants grazing around our tent had had enough and left, it was the turn of the wildebeests. At night and into the early morning, they took over and surrounded the tent in their quest for new pastures, serenading us to sleep with their constant sounds of gnu, gnu, gnu. It was a wonderful experience.

Tripadvisor August 2010

My husband and I spent 3 nights of our honeymoon at the incredible Sayari! It is hard to imagine, when you arrive at the airstrip, that such an upscale, beautiful, thoughtfully designed and decorated, lodge exists just half an hour away! It really is stunning and how splendid it was to spend a couple of hours each afternoon (before evening drives) lounging by the rock swimming pool! We thoroughly enjoyed the food at Sayari, and Jonathan (chef) went out of his way to accomodate a food allergy I have. At night we were serenaded by wildebeest, hippos and lions, and each morning we awoke to tea before setting out on morning drives. Unlike Tarangire, you are allowed to drive "off-road" - great to see game - especially a lioness and 4 cubs on our last evening drive! Barb and Joe (managers) were wonderful and created a warm and inviting atmosphere. All in all, an excellent choice to spend a few days (or more!) in the northern Serengeti.

Tripadvisor August 2010

The accommodation at Sayari camp was excellent and the staff was very friendly and competent. Everything went off perfectly.

The day we arrived we drove to the camp and on the way ran into three young male elephants fighting. We got quite close and watched them for about 20 minutes and within about 2 meters. We went on to the river where we saw two male hippos fighting briefly. We drove through several hundred wildebeests on the road to the camp and were within a couple of meters of them.

We saw a leopard the first evening game drive and got very close.

At night our tent was surrounded with animals feeding— elephants and wildebeests mostly. Both were around the next mornings so we got good photos and were able to watch them at close range. The meals were very well prepared and presented and the staff was very friendly and competent.

I really have no criticism of them in any way.


Mike Maggi - August 2010

Hi All, I have just returned from a fantastic trip to Tanzania, including a terrific stay in your Sayari camp in the northern serengeti. I would very much like to to congratulate Asilia on the wonderful staff they have assembled; From the manager down through the guides to the general staff, all were terrific and wonderfully professional. I woulld especially commend Simon, the manager of Sayari. Many thanks,

Richard Sallie

This camp is one of the best places I have ever stayed and I have no reservations in recommending it. Our welcome was second to none and the camp is incredibly sociable. Its owners deserve every credit for ensuring that Sayari is paradise in the middle of stunning scenery. Go - you won't be disappointed!

Tripadvisor June 2010

I don't think the are enough superlatives in the English language to describe this place. I was on my honeymoon with my lady, and it was the perfect getaway location, which has made me change my opinion on traditional beach honeymoons. Everything about this place oozed beauty and adventure... The staff were amazing and never overbearing, the rooms were out of this world, with ensuite bathroom and heated water(by a solar panelled tank). The food and service were excellent... I have no idea how a place so secluded can make food which tastes so great.

I can categorically say that one of of the greatest things about this camp were/are the hosts... The attention they give to their guests are amazing.... We spent hours tapping into their knowledge and listening to their many stories, while drinking red wine overlooking the Serengeti.
There is no better way to spend the evening after game viewing. They also made our honeymoon very special by providing us with a private area to dine... every other hotel should use these two as a standard...

If you are looking for a place to stay look no further. Did I say that we also saw a few wildebeast migrating from our room...

Tripadvisor May 2010

Julie (Camp Manager) and all the staff were great. The camp has VERY NICE permanent tents just recently completed. There are no gates around the camp so animals roam around freely – especially at night. The first night we saw a hippo right behind our tent. When we stopped & surprised it with our flashlight, it ran off & we saw a second one behind the first! I guess that's why they make us take a guide with us after the sun goes down.... The second night we heard hippos eating overnight, “chomp, chomp” on grass behind our heads on the other side of the tent. The camp staff brought coffee to the tent in the morning for our wake up call and we woke to see elephants and wildebeests outside the front porch of our tent. We had happy hour by the campfire each night & another happy hour(s) again after dinner in the main lodge each night.
Trip Advisor Feb 2010

We stayed at Sayari Camp this Christmas, the location is truly spectacular, the tents (if you can call them that) are magnificent, large bedrooms sliding wardrobes, large bath with two patio doors that look out over the Serengeti, watching the wildlife while you have a bath was a whole new experience. There is a large swimming pool built into the rock and food to die for. The game viewing was great and having wine as the sun goes down overlooking the Mara River is breathtaking. Although you don't go on safari for the nightlife evenings were wonderful meeting at the bar for drinks then sitting by the fire and then into the restaurant for a superb meal. All of the staff is fantastic and your hosts Barbara and Joe make it a time to remember nothing - is too much trouble. This was my third safari and this location ranks as one of the best.

Jan 2010 Tripadvisor

We spent four nights of our honeymoon at Sayari camp in December, and genuinely cannot imagine how it could have been bettered without spending £thousands more on a bespoke tour. The location of the camp is breathtaking, and ideal for excellent game-spotting without another soul in sight.

The camp itself is as luxurious as you could hope for. We had the honeymoon suite, so could not see another tent from ours - only the zebras and giraffes trotting past as we drank coffee on the deck before the morning game-drives (and the occasional hippo wandering past the tent at night!). Each of the guides was local, professional, enthusiastic and expert - a surprisingly uncommon combination in other camps.

The hosts, Barbara and Joe, went well out of their way to make our stay as comfortable as possible; bespoke personal service, arranging romantic private dining, and even lighting fires and chilling champagne so we could enjoy our outdoor bath overlooking the Serengeti plains!

I've no idea how they produce such a high standard of food despite being so isolated. Every single meal was excellent.

If you are a couple wanting a romantic first-time safari, or a seasoned wildlife spotter, I cannot recommend Sayari camp highly enough. We'll be back.
Jan 2010 Tripadvisor

Each place you stay while on safari will be different by design.

Sayari is a luxury-style permanent tented camp in Serengeti. The Serengeti is very open and the area where Sayari is located is fairly treeless and exposed so you can easily see other tents from your tents and vice-versa. The main lodge, dining "tent" and suites were all very immaculate and felt luxurious. The suites aren't really tents but have mahogany floors, sliding glass doors, deck with couch, and steel frames that are canvas covered. The shower room was great as was the two person bathtub with an outdoor view. You will hear the animals around your suite at night; however this is not a rustic out-in-the-bush experience. I didn't use the pool because it had a lot of very small living creatures swimming in it (bugs?). The food was fantastic though eating at separate tables felt isolating. I'd rather they have private safari tours and communal dining rather than the other way around. In particular we were in a car with a noisy and constantly moving child that made watching animals difficult. We heard stories from other guests who also had problems with sharing the car/guide. We ended up finding another couple who had similar interests and asked the manager to pair us together which worked out well. Camp manager, Barbara, was very nice. We were lucky to have Prim as a guide. His passion for his work and Tanzania was delightful.

Jan 2010 – Tripadvisor

We had a great 3 night stay at Sayari. It is a luxury camp and whilst billed as a tented camp, in reality its more like a lodge - each tent is huge and has a hardwood floor and deck and sliding "Asian-style" entrance doors and screen between the bathroom area and bedroom. Each tent has a bath as well as a huge walk in shower and separate flushing loo. The bath looks straight out onto the plains. The hot water is supplied by a solar heated tank to each flat - so a word or warning, if you have a bath at night there will be no hot water for the shower in the morning! The bed is huge and comfortable - but sprung mattress rather than memory foam which has become more of the norm. You hear wildlife every night from your tent - lions roaring in the distance and wildebeest and other animals close by. Apparently whilst the pool was being built one of the hippos had to be "trained" that the pool was not for its use - these days various obstacles are put in the way to stop any hippo getting in the pool!

As others have mentioned the food is fabulous and all the staff attentive. Having a pool in the bush is a bonus. Guides are all good - we had Harry - one night our binoculars fell our of the car as we went over a bump - they next morning our guide drove us around until we found them - amazing. We witnessed a fantastic wildebeest crossing of 4000 animals and watched a croc plan its attack and then catch a wildebeest - and then the wildebeest escape after a 5-10 mins fight. All in all great game viewing and a luxury experience.

Sept 2009 – Tripadvisor