Sanctuary Kusini Camp

Sanctuary Kusini Camp — Perched on a Kopje Above the Calving Plains

Sanctuary Kusini Camp holds a distinction shared by no other lodge in the Serengeti: it is the only permanent camp in the remote southern sector of the park. While the central and northern Serengeti compete for guests with dozens of camps, Kusini sits in splendid isolation on a granite kopje overlooking the short-grass plains where the Great Migration's annual calving season takes place between January and March. For those months, the plains below the camp fill with two million wildebeest, newborn calves, and the predators that follow them — and Kusini's guests have essentially a private front-row seat.

The camp is operated by Sanctuary Retreats, the safari arm of Abercrombie & Kent, and it reflects that parentage: service standards are high, every tent has a dedicated butler, Molton Brown toiletries stock the bathrooms, and the attention to detail extends to the Michelin-star chef who designed the menus. It is genuinely luxurious, and the remote location gives it an exclusivity that more accessible camps in the central Serengeti simply cannot match.

Location and Wildlife

Kusini's kopje position provides two things: spectacular 360-degree views and elevated game-watching from camp. Lions regularly use the rocky outcrops surrounding the tents as vantage points — guests have woken to find lions sitting on the rocks outside their tent. Cheetah are common on the open plains. During the calving season (January–March), the concentration of wildebeest, zebra and accompanying predators is extraordinary. Outside calving season, the southern Serengeti is quieter but still productive — elephant, giraffe, large lion prides and resident big cats occupy the woodland edges and plains year-round.

Accommodation

Twelve open-plan tented suites are raised on wooden platforms and shaded by acacia trees, each with large en-suite bathrooms, a private wooden veranda, and views over the surrounding plains or kopje. Interiors are comfortably furnished with double beds (convertible to twins), hot running water, fans, hair dryers and in-room safes. Every tent has a dedicated butler for the duration of the stay. The main lodge, built around the kopje itself, includes a lounge, library, dining room and elevated viewing deck with panoramic vistas. Sundowners are served on a nearby rock outcrop with 360-degree Serengeti views that guests consistently describe as unforgettable.

Activities

Morning and afternoon game drives in open 4x4 vehicles are the core activity. Full-day drives are popular during calving season when covering more ground increases sightings of births and predator action. A cheetah conservation programme allows guests to participate in tracking and monitoring. Hot-air balloon safaris from nearby launch sites can be arranged. Night-sky programmes with the camp manager take advantage of the exceptional dark skies. Save 30% on stays of four nights or more.

Who Is Sanctuary Kusini Best For?

Kusini is the top pick for travellers whose primary goal is the calving season experience in January–March — the southern Serengeti's most spectacular wildlife period. It also suits honeymooners and couples year-round: the isolation, butler service, kopje sundowners and Molton Brown bathroom is a romantic combination. The remote location means game drives operate with essentially no other vehicles in sight — a significant advantage over the central Serengeti corridor.