Northern Serengeti · Lairs
Gnus Lair
A seasonal camp of eight raised tented suites in the Kogatende area, about 10 minutes from the Mara River. Part of the Lairs collection.
Plan a safari with this lodge- Area
- Northern Serengeti, Kogatende area
- Style
- Seasonal tented camp, open 1 July to 31 December
- Tents
- 8 raised tented suites, up to 18 guests in camp
- Meals
- All-inclusive
- Mara River
- About 10 minutes away
- Facilities
- Massage, gym, Wi-Fi
- Run by
- Lairs
Gnus Lair is a seasonal tented camp in the Kogatende area of the northern Serengeti, about 10 minutes from the Mara River. It is run by Lairs, the Tanzanian collection that also owns Elephants Lair in Tarangire and Jackals Lair in the central Serengeti.
The camp is set up for the months when the wildebeest migration is in the north, so guests are close to the river where the herds cross. It opened on 28 June 2026 with eight tents for up to 18 guests, and the stay is all-inclusive, which keeps it quiet at the busiest time of year in this part of the park.
What it's like
The eight tented suites stand on raised platforms. Beds can be set up as a king or twins, and each suite sleeps up to three guests. The bathrooms are en suite with an indoor and an outdoor shower, and the tents have Wi-Fi, a telephone and tea and coffee.
Days follow the herds, and the camp offers bush meals, sundowners on the plains, massages and a small gym for the time in between. On our safaris you explore with your own private guide and vehicle, which lets you wait at a crossing point for as long as you like. No river crossing can be guaranteed on any given day.
Getting there
Times are best estimates. Most guests fly into Kogatende airstrip or combine the north with a few nights in the central Serengeti, as the drive from Arusha takes most of two days.
Park fees
Gnus Lair is inside Serengeti National Park, so park entry fees and a nightly camp fee apply. We include them as separate lines in your quote, and current figures are on our park fees page. See Tanzania park fees.
Who it suits
A good fit for
- The river crossing season in the northern Serengeti
- Small groups and couples who want a quiet camp during the busiest months
- Combining with a few nights in the central Serengeti
Look elsewhere for
- Travel outside the migration months, as the camp is seasonal
- A short safari, as the north is a long drive or a flight from Arusha
When to go
Gnus Lair is open from 1 July to 31 December. The herds are usually in the northern Serengeti from about July to October, although the timing changes each year with the rains, so the first months of the season are usually the best for river crossings.
Common questions
Where is Gnus Lair?
It is in the Kogatende area of the northern Serengeti, about 10 minutes from the Mara River.
Is Gnus Lair open all year?
No. Gnus Lair opens from 1 July to 31 December each year, the months when the migration is in the north.
Will we see a Mara River crossing from Gnus Lair?
The camp is close to the river, which gives you the best chance, but no crossing can be guaranteed. The herds cross when they choose, and some days there are none.
How much does a stay at Gnus Lair cost?
It depends on the dates and the rest of your route. We can quote the stay on its own or as part of a full safari quote with the vehicle, guide and park fees included. Send us your dates and we will cost it properly.
Other places to stay in Northern Serengeti
Lemala Kuria Hills, Imara Kogatende, River Camp, Baobab Mara Luxury Camp, Nimali Mara, Mara Mara Tented Lodge.
See all lodges and campsSources and Maintenance
Where these figures come from
Fees, rules and official guidance can change at short notice. Every figure on this page is checked against a primary source on the date below and rechecked on a regular schedule.
- Lairs official website, Gnus Lair page (location, rooms, facilities, activities, photos) (checked 4 November 2026)
- Lairs reservations team, email to Saleh Safaris (current rooms, opening dates, meal plan) (received 4 November 2026)
- Saleh Safaris route and drive-time notes (operator observation) (drive times are ranges, conditions vary)
Saleh Safaris is an independent safari operator based in Arusha. This is our own guide to Gnus Lair, not the lodge's official website.