Olmara Camp (formerly Ehlane Plains), Eastern Serengeti

Olmara Camp — Eastern Serengeti's Remote Big Cat Wilderness

Note: Nasikia Ehlane Plains Camp has been rebranded as Olmara Camp. If you were searching for Ehlane Plains Camp, you have arrived at the right page.

Olmara Camp (formerly Ehlane Plains Camp, operated by Nasikia Camps) is an 8-tent solar-powered camp in the Soit le Motonyi area of the eastern Serengeti — one of the park's most remote and least-visited sectors. Together with the nearby Namiri Plains, it is one of only two camps operating in this vast stretch of open grassland and acacia woodland, where the absence of vehicle traffic produces game-viewing encounters of striking quality and solitude.

The word "ehlane" is Zulu for "wilderness," and the eastern Serengeti earns that name. Lion prides patrol the open grassland, cheetah coalitions hunt Thomson's gazelle across uninterrupted sightlines, hyena clans occupy the kopje formations, and leopard work the acacia woodland edges at dawn. There are no other vehicles competing for sightings, no queues at airstrips, and no convoys at popular spots. This is the Serengeti as it was before tourism discovered it.

Accommodation

Eight canvas tented suites — five standard, two with stargazer decks (retractable roof for sleeping under the stars), and one family suite — blend into the eastern plains landscape. Each suite has a comfortable bed, en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and hot shower, and a private veranda overlooking the wilderness. The camp runs entirely on solar power with no backup generator noise. The central dining and lounge tent is the camp's social hub, with meals served around a natural firepit. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious — this is about wildlife and landscape, not polished service rituals.

Activities

Morning and afternoon game drives in open 4x4 vehicles cover the eastern plains and surrounding acacia woodland. Walking safaris with an armed ranger explore the ecosystem at ground level — particularly impressive among the granite kopjes that dot the landscape. Hot-air balloon safaris over the eastern plains (one of the best balloon experiences in the Serengeti due to the absence of vehicle clutter below) can be arranged. Community visits are possible.

Who Is Olmara Best For?

Olmara Camp is the budget-conscious alternative to Namiri Plains in the eastern Serengeti. It does not match Namiri's luxury standard, but the wildlife access — same area, same animal density — is comparable at a significantly lower price. It suits independent travellers, photographers, wildlife enthusiasts who prioritise solitude over thread counts, and first-time safari visitors who want a genuine remote Serengeti experience without paying premium prices. The stargazer tents are a romantic touch.