Maswa Game Reserve

Location: Southern edge of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Area: 500,000 acres

Overview

Maswa Game Reserve Gazetted June 1994, following a notice by the Tanzania Government, the protection of the reserve dates back to 1964 when it was Maswa Game Controlled Area, later upgraded to a game reserve as a result of its ecological and social-economical values. Maswa itself consists of two private reserves – Mbono and Kimali combined in an area of over 500,000 acres, home to classic tented camps providing exclusive safari experience.

The Reserve border Serengeti National Park south of the Western Corridor, separating the west from the Park, originally a hunting area, now used more for photographic safaris. The 60,000-acre Mwiba Wildlife Reserve sits south of the Game Reserve and southern Serengeti, west of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and just to the north of Lake Eyasi. Maswa Kimali Reserve is 350,000 acres and Maswa Mbono Reserve is 166,000 acres.

Both Reserves offer beautiful open plains along the southern edge of the Serengeti, rolling hills covered in thickets and rock kopjes interspersed with seasonally dry rivers containing permanent water holes which provide water for the wildlife migrating from the Serengeti during the dry season.

Maswa and Mwiba are scenic locations with plenty of varied wildlife including the big game with a high density of lions and leopards. In seasons between January – March guests may drive to the Ndutu area and view the migration antelope herds including Coke’s hartebeest, Impala, Thomson’s gazelle, and Wildebeest.

February is best in South Serengeti as a huge number of wildebeest calves are born and predator activity is at an all-time high. For birders, the season begins from November to April when migratory birds flock to the southern Serengeti. Accessible by road from Arusha approx. 419.2 km (260.47 miles) a 6 to 7 hours drive.
By air international visitor’s flights from Dar es Salaam to connect scheduled flights from any airstrip in the Serengeti or Maswa via Serengeti Kusini airstrip is about 9kms from the Maswa Game Reserve. The Reserve is open all year round.

The Uniqueness of this Park

• • The rolling hills are covered in thickets and rock kopjes are interspersed with seasonally dry rivers containing permanent water holes.

• • It’s a corridor for the migration herds during the dry season in South Serengeti where a huge number of wildebeest calves are born and as a result a high number of predators.

• • Great location for bird watchers from November to April when migratory birds flock to southern Serengeti.

Accommodation Options

• • Mbono Tented Camp (6 traditional campaign-style canvas tents, en suite bathrooms, and large double beds looking out over the river, and an additional bed can be added to make triple) Available for exclusive use for 6 plus groups and children are welcome).

• • Subeti Tented Camp (5 tents).

• • Nyasi Migrational Camp (8 doubles + one family tent) in two locations yearly as the camp moves with the migration from the savannah of the Lamai in the northern Serengeti to the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti.

• • Mwiba Lodge (10 tented suites of which 2 pairs are adjoining) is located in a private 129,530-acre wildlife reserve adjoining the southern Serengeti.

Activities at the Destination

Bush breakfast, lunch and dinner, Day & Night Game Viewing Drives, Guided Walks, Private Vehicle available, Sundowners, and Cultural Visits.