Mwiba Lodge
Mwiba Wildlife Reserve, Southern Serengeti, Tanzania
Location
Mwiba Wildlife Reserve
The lodge stands on timber platforms among ancient granite boulders over a gorge on the Arugusinyai River, in the private Mwiba Wildlife Reserve in the southern Serengeti, where more than thirty freshwater springs draw game year-round — bordering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Transfer
A southern-Serengeti transfer
Fly to the Mwiba airstrip, then a short drive into the reserve — a light-aircraft hop with luggage limits.
Villas
10 tented suites
Ten tented suites — eight doubles and two adjoining family suites — on raised walkways among the boulders, with super-king beds, deep tubs, indoor and outdoor showers and private decks over the gorge.
Best For
Who it suits
Couples, honeymooners and families after off-the-beaten-path luxury — a private reserve with a private vehicle and guide, calving-season game and Hadzabe and Datoga cultural immersion.
Board Basis
Full board
Full board including a private vehicle and guide, all safari and cultural activities and house drinks — a strong differentiator on safari.
Overview
A boulder-set tented lodge over a river gorge
Mwiba Lodge is the southern Serengeti's boulder-set icon — an ultra-luxury tented lodge on timber platforms among ancient granite boulders, over a gorge on the Arugusinyai River, in the private Mwiba Wildlife Reserve. More than thirty freshwater springs draw game year-round, and because the reserve is private the drives go off-road, after dark and on foot between the herds — and, crucially, a private vehicle and guide come as standard, so there is no set schedule. Where its sister icon Sasakwa is Edwardian grandeur and Grumeti river-crossings, Mwiba is the south: calving season around December to April, when the wildebeest give birth on the plains, and deep cultural immersion — walking with the Hadzabe, among Africa's last hunter-gatherers, and visiting the Datoga and their blacksmiths. The ten tented suites have super-king beds, deep tubs, indoor and outdoor showers and private decks over the gorge; an infinity pool is sculpted into the rocks above a waterhole, and you can sleep out on a skybed under the stars. Full board includes the private vehicle and all activities. Reached by a light-aircraft hop to the Mwiba airstrip, it is for couples, families and travellers after somewhere off the beaten track.
Accommodation
Tented suites
Ten tented suites — eight doubles and two adjoining family suites, up to around 24 guests — on raised walkways among the boulders. Super-king beds under mosquito-net canopies, linen sofas, hand-carved furniture, copper double-vanities, deep soaking tubs, indoor and outdoor showers, air-conditioning and private hardwood decks over the river.
Signature
Tented Suite
Sleeps two. A super-king tent with a deep tub, indoor and outdoor showers and a private hardwood deck over the river gorge.
River deckIndoor/outdoor showers
Family
Adjoining Family Suite
Sleeps three to four. Two linked suites with private decks — one of two family suites.
Two-tentFamily
Food & Drink
Dining
The main lodge is sculpted into the granite boulders for full dining, with bush meals out in the reserve — and house wines, beers, local spirits and soft drinks are included throughout.
Signature
The main lodge
The main lodge, sculpted into the granite boulders, for full dining.
Bush
Bush dining
Bush dining out in the reserve.
All-inclusive
Full board
Full board, with house wines, beers, local spirits and soft drinks included.
Wellbeing
Spa & pool
In-suite spa treatments are available, and an infinity pool is sculpted into the rocks over a waterhole — game comes to you while you swim. The real luxury, though, is the private vehicle and guide that come as standard, so the safari runs entirely on your schedule.
In-suite treatments
In-suite spa treatments.
A rock infinity pool
An infinity pool sculpted into the rocks over a waterhole — watch game from the water.
A private vehicle
A private vehicle and guide as standard, so drives run on your schedule.
Activities & Experiences
Signature Experiences
A private southern-Serengeti reserve, your own vehicle, and culture you won't find on the plains. Drive off-road by day and night, walk with the Hadzabe, time it for calving season, and sleep out on a skybed.
Day & night drives
Day and night drives off-road in a private reserve, on your own schedule with a private vehicle.
The Hadzabe
Walking with the Hadzabe, among Africa's last hunter-gatherers — making bows and fire.
The Datoga
The Datoga village, with its blacksmiths and dances.
Calving season
Calving season in the southern Serengeti, around December to April.
Skybed sleep-out
A skybed sleep-out under the stars, available at a supplement.
Getting There
Location & transfers
By air
To the Mwiba airstrip
Fly to the Mwiba airstrip, then a short drive to the lodge.
In the reserve
Mwiba
In the private Mwiba Wildlife Reserve, over a gorge on the Arugusinyai River.
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Good to Know
Good to know
Board basis
- Full board including a private vehicle and guide and all safari and cultural activities, with house drinks.
Made for couples
- A romantic camp for couples, with two family suites and children's bush excursions for all ages.
The reserve
- In the private Mwiba Wildlife Reserve in the southern Serengeti, over a gorge on the Arugusinyai River, where springs draw year-round game.
Getting there
- Fly to the Mwiba airstrip, then a short drive.
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Dates, party size, villa preference and budget.
Dates & party
Date flexibility
Adults
2
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Budget & accommodation
Budget per person (flights + hotel)
£4,500
£500£50,000+
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