Highlights
- Exclusive private house
- Tailored to families and groups
- Vehicle and walking safaris
- Flexible, personalised itineraries
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our specialists on 855 686 7694
EnquireMkombe’s House Lamai is a fully serviced private house perched on a hillside amidst the Kogakuria Kopjes in the extreme north of the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. The property affords stunning views across the Mara River valley and is set right in the heart of one of the Serengeti’s richest mammal habitats. Guests fly in via light aircraft to the Kogatende airstrip or drive from other northern Serengeti camps.
The House, which has been designed with families or groups of friends in mind, opened in July 2015 and has a fresh, contemporary feel. There is a stylish and comfortable lounge plus outdoor relaxation areas, a plunge pool and a good sized swimming pool. The food, served in the private dining area, is excellent. There is Wi-Fi in the main areas and intermittent mobile phone reception.
Year-round game drives are the main focus, providing the opportunity to see non-migratory animals such as buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, crocodiles and hippos, plus the famous Great Migration wildebeest river crossings which occur from July to October. Whilst river crossing viewing is never guaranteed, crossings do take place on enough occasions throughout the season to give visitors a good chance of witnessing one. This part of the Serengeti can become busy, particularly during the dry migration season, but ultimately nothing can detract from the spectacular wildlife-viewing, and Mkombe’s House certainly provides the perfect retreat at the end of a busy day. Guided bush walks are offered, although children under the age of 12 are unable to participate for safety reasons. Relaxing at the house is encouraged and children often hunt for lizards and other harmless creatures on the rocky kopjes. Note, however, that due to the unfenced nature of the property, children must remain under adult supervision at all times.
The accommodation is fully self-contained and the house sleeps a total of four adults and six children, with no minimum age. There are two en-suite double/twin rooms, each with a nearby and secure en-suite children’s room. Cots, high chairs and car-seats are provided for younger children and all rooms have en-suite bathrooms with running water and flush toilets. It is sometimes possible to wheel beds outdoors and sleep under the stars.
Mkombe’s House Lamai provides an exclusive haven for travellers in a prime wildlife area. For those not limited by budget, the seamless, flexible service and charming nature of this luxurious home-from-home make for an unbeatable stay.
We had a great time - even with the flight between Governors and the coast being two flights and a car! We also experienced a power cut At Nairobi airport on the way home so 2+ hours late taking off. Governors. Wonderful people and dealt with the flight delay very well - taking us back and letting us know that we could stay there if the flight was delayed overnight. The game drives were excellent and our guide (Erick) obviously very experienced and managed to find all the key animals - no rhino in that part of the Masai Mara but everything else in abundance - never seen so many herbivores (many many elephants as well as all the others) as well as two prides of lions. Could not have asked for more. The ‘tent’ was excellent and comfortable and well serviced. The only ‘complaint’ would be that the food - especially dinner - could be improved (I think we got a bit bored of soup as a starter for every meal bar one) and the main courses were not at the same level as Kinondo Kwetu and while all were explained there was no choice offered. The breakfasts were just what was needed after an early game drive. Kinondo Kwetu. What a great location and the welcome when we arrived at just gone 11.00pm was better than you could have ever thought possible - they we’re disappointed that we did not at that time want the full dinner experience! The rooms we’re comfortable. The food was excellent but again no choice was offered - other than for allergy reasons (which we do not have). May be some choice would be nice. Having said that the food we did have was excellent as were the wines (albeit a short list!) and other drinks. There were (as you know) lots of facilities/sports options - but we spent our time relaxing which was exactly what we needed and there were lots of places to do that. Overall. We would go back to both places - perhaps a few more nights at Kinondo Kwetu next time but 3 nights at Governors was perfect for us. Thank you for organising and recommending both places. That you and your colleague for trying to find out about the plane (flat tyre) but communication by the flight company left a lot to be desired (Governors were furious that they were not told and had taken us to the airstrip). Phil
Philip R
reviewing Masai Mara Safari & Kenya Beach
on 01 September 2023
It was certainly a holiday of a lifetime for us and we loved every minute!! The standard and location of each accommodation was excellent, as was the variety of each different accommodation type. Our schedule was perfect and we managed to achieve everything on our to-do task list. Your documents were also really helpful, as were the driving directions. We all thank you for making this such a wonderful holiday. Happy to leave a review publicly if you point me the right way. Best Steve
Stephen H
reviewing Classic Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari
on 01 September 2023
Hi Lisa, Thanks for your email! It was amazing thank you! We had the best time, everything ran smoothly (aside from a break-down due to faulty clutch on day 1 of the tour, but our guide / driver sorted that and we were back on track by that evening). Saw all the things we wanted to see, even a mum and cub cheetah. Our boys have had such a different holiday and a fab taste of the world! Thank you so much for organising this for us. We’d definitely recommend our guide/driver (Tuhafeni) and assistant (Frans) again. Nicola
Nicola T
reviewing Highlights of Namibia - Family Group Tour
on 18 August 2023