The Verdict Dossier · Luxury Safari Operators
Asilia Africa: The 2026 Review — Every Camp, Region & Rate
Asilia Africa does one thing and does it with unusual depth: East Africa. It runs close to twenty camps across Tanzania and Kenya, it was the first travel company in Africa to certify as a B Corporation, and it built its business on a conservancy model that pays communities to keep land wild. It is not the ultra-luxury ceiling — that is Singita's ground — but pound for pound it is one of the strongest value-to-luxury propositions on the continent. Here is every camp, region and 2026 rate, with an honest case for and against, and a compass to find your fit.
2004
Founded in Arusha
2012
B Corp certified — Africa's first
~20
Camps across TZ & Kenya
2
Countries — one region
$500–2.3k
Per person, per night
- The verdict, in two paragraphs
- The Camp Compass — find your Asilia
- The regions, honestly compared
- Every camp, every rate — 2026 matrix
- How to book Asilia (three routes)
- Compare Asilia against another operator
- Straight answers to the questions readers ask
No operator combines East African depth, real conservation credentials and accessible luxury pricing the way Asilia does.
Asilia was founded in 2004 by Bas Hochstenbach and Jeroen Harderwijk, and it has never diluted its focus: Tanzania and Kenya, done properly. That single-region concentration buys camps in the addresses that matter — Namiri Plains on the Serengeti's big-cat plains, Sayari as the closest permanent camp to the Mara River crossings, Jabali Ridge on a kopje deep in wild Ruaha. In 2012 it became the first travel company in Africa, and only the second in the world, to certify as a B Corporation, a standing since carried group-wide under parent Nawiri Group.
The impact model is structural, not decorative. Asilia pioneered private conservancies such as Mara Naboisho in Kenya, where camps pay Maasai landowners to lease land for wildlife rather than farming, and it works with implementing partners including Honeyguide on community-led anti-poaching and human–wildlife-conflict work in northern Tanzania. And it delivers all of this at a genuinely lower entry point than the ultra-premium brands — green-season rates from around $500–600 per person at camps like Dunia, Encounter Mara and Ol Pejeta Bush Camp.
It is not the ultra-luxury ceiling, and it is East Africa only — no Southern-Africa breadth.
If the brief is the absolute top of the market — private butlers, exclusive-use villas, the lowest guest densities money can buy — Singita and, a tier below it, andBeyond hold that ground and price well above Asilia. Asilia's register is elegant, understated tented luxury, not palatial design theatre; the highest-season rates at Sayari and Namiri (around $2,300 per person) are its ceiling, not its baseline.
The other honest limit is geography. Asilia is an East Africa specialist and nothing else — no Okavango, no Sabi Sand, no Namib. A traveller wanting Botswana water safaris or a South African Big Five leg needs a different operator: Wilderness for the Delta, andBeyond for pan-African breadth. For Tanzania and Kenya specifically, though, few match Asilia's coverage — and its new Uganda camp in Bwindi is a first tentative step beyond the two-country core.
The Camp Compass — find your Asilia
Close to twenty camps is a lot to shortlist. Pick what matters most on your trip and the compass returns the best-fit Asilia camp, with the indicative 2026 rate and one line on why it fits.
What matters most on this safari?
Pick a trip priority above. The verdict, rate and the one camp that fits will appear here.
Asilia's regions, honestly compared
The portfolio clusters into a handful of East African regions across Tanzania and Kenya. Each does one thing better than the others. This is the honest breakdown of which is which.
Central & eastern Serengeti
Tanzania · Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is Asilia's heartland, and it holds two of its best-loved camps here. Namiri Plains (eleven tents) sits in the remote eastern reaches — an area reopened to tourism after decades as a cheetah-research sanctuary — and is now one of the finest big-cat addresses in Tanzania, with lion, cheetah and leopard on the doorstep. Dunia Camp (eight tents) in the central Serengeti is Africa's first and only camp run entirely by women, from managers and guides to hospitality staff — a genuine, not tokenistic, distinction. Both put you on the resident plains game year-round, with the migration passing through the central and southern Serengeti roughly December to March. See the park on Google Maps.
Best for
Predator-led safaris and travellers who want the Serengeti's marquee wildlife without paying andBeyond or Singita money. Namiri for the big cats; Dunia for value and a camp with real character.
Northern Serengeti & the Mara River crossings
Tanzania · Northern Serengeti · Kogatende
From roughly July to October the wildebeest herds mass on the Tanzanian side of the Mara River, and the crossings — the most dramatic single event in the migration calendar — happen here. Asilia is unusually well placed for it. Sayari Camp (fifteen tented suites) is described by the operator as the closest permanent camp to the river, a genuine front-row position, and it holds the more polished, design-forward end of the range. Alongside it, the mobile Olakira and Ubuntu migration camps pitch nearby in season, then move south to Ndutu for the December-to-March calving — the classic follow-the-herds approach at a lighter footprint. For a lower entry point in the same region, Sayari's Secret-Season rates fall to around $1,030 per person.
Best for
The river-crossing spectacle, July to October. Sayari for a fixed, front-row base with the smartest rooms; Olakira or Ubuntu to move with the herds through the year.
Ngorongoro Highlands
Tanzania · Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Highlands is the most distinctive-looking camp in the portfolio: eight perspex-and-canvas domed suites set high on the forested slopes of the Olmoti Crater, well above the crowds on the main Ngorongoro rim. It is the natural base for a descent to the wildlife-dense floor of the Ngorongoro Crater itself — a UNESCO World Heritage caldera holding one of Africa's densest concentrations of large mammals — and for walking in the highlands with a Maasai guide. Cool, high-altitude and atmospheric, it pairs neatly with a Serengeti leg. See the conservation area on Google Maps.
Best for
A Ngorongoro Crater day on the wildlife-rich floor, from a high, quiet and architecturally unusual base away from the busy rim lodges.
Ruaha & southern Tanzania
Tanzania · Ruaha & Nyerere (Selous) National Parks
This is Asilia's wild card, and for many its best-value depth. Southern Tanzania sees a fraction of the northern circuit's visitors, and Asilia is one of the few luxury operators committed to it. Jabali Ridge (eight suites) is perched on a granite kopje in Ruaha National Park — Tanzania's largest — with big prides, wild dog and one of the great baobab landscapes. Kokoko Camp and the research-led Usangu Expedition Camp extend the Ruaha offering into genuine expedition territory, the latter tied to protection of the Usangu Wetlands. In Nyerere (the former Selous), Roho ya Selous adds boating and walking on the Rufiji river system. This is the region for a second safari, when the big names are already ticked off.
Best for
Repeat safari-goers and anyone who wants big wildlife without the vehicles. Jabali Ridge for design and setting; Usangu for a true expedition register.
Masai Mara & the conservancies
Kenya · Masai Mara Reserve · Mara Naboisho Conservancy
Kenya is the other half of Asilia, and here its conservancy pedigree shows. Rekero Camp (nine tents) sits inside the reserve overlooking a Talek River crossing point — front-row for the Kenyan side of the migration, July to October. Just outside, in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy Asilia helped pioneer, Encounter Mara and Naboisho Camp trade the reserve's vehicle traffic for low-density traversing, walking and night drives on Maasai-owned land — with lease fees paying the landowners directly. Emboo Camp adds a near-carbon-neutral angle, running solar power and electric safari vehicles. Explore the reserve on Google Maps.
Best for
The Kenyan migration and low-density conservancy game-viewing. Rekero for river-crossing drama inside the reserve; Encounter Mara and Naboisho for walking, night drives and quiet.
Laikipia & Ol Pejeta
Kenya · Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Laikipia
In the foothills of Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta Bush Camp (ten tents) sits inside the Ol Pejeta Conservancy — East Africa's largest black-rhino sanctuary and the only place on earth to see the last two northern white rhinos, kept under armed protection. This is not migration country; it is a conservation-first destination, with rhino tracking, a chimpanzee sanctuary and strong community-run credentials, at some of the most accessible rates in the whole portfolio (from around $600 per person in green season). It makes an excellent, meaningful add-on to a Mara safari, and it is one of the clearest expressions of what Asilia is actually about.
Best for
Rhino conservation, a Big Five conservancy with a purpose, and a well-priced Kenyan bookend to a Mara trip.
Every Asilia camp, indicative 2026 rates
Rates below are per person per night sharing, fully inclusive of accommodation, meals, house drinks, laundry, scheduled game activities and airstrip transfers. Park and conservancy fees, premium drinks and flights are additional. Asilia's rates move sharply with season, so treat every figure as an indicative 2026 range, not a fixed price; camps shown "on enquiry" are seasonal, expedition or newer properties without a settled public range.
| Camp | Region | Tents / suites | 2026 rate (pp/night) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Namiri Plains | Eastern Serengeti, Tanzania | 11 tents | ~$740–2,320 | Big-cat plains; former cheetah-research area |
| Dunia Camp | Central Serengeti, Tanzania | 8 tents | ~$560–1,250 | Africa's only all-women-run camp; strong value |
| Sayari Camp | Northern Serengeti, Tanzania | 15 suites | ~$1,030–2,320 | Closest permanent camp to the Mara River |
| Olakira Migration Camp | Serengeti (mobile), Tanzania | ~10–12 tents | ~$1,100–1,550 | Moves north (crossings) then Ndutu (calving) |
| Ubuntu Migration Camp | Serengeti (mobile), Tanzania | Mobile tents | On enquiry | Seasonal mobile camp following the herds |
| The Highlands | Ngorongoro, Tanzania | 8 domed suites | ~$710–1,450 | Domes on Olmoti slopes; base for the Crater floor |
| Oliver's Camp | Tarangire, Tanzania | Tented | On enquiry | Walking and fly-camping in Tarangire |
| Jabali Ridge | Ruaha, Tanzania | 8 suites | ~$880–1,660 | Kopje setting; remote southern circuit |
| Kokoko Camp | Ruaha, Tanzania | Tented | On enquiry | Relaxed family / expedition register in Ruaha |
| Usangu Expedition Camp | Ruaha (Usangu), Tanzania | Expedition tents | On enquiry | Research-led; Usangu Wetlands protection |
| Roho ya Selous | Nyerere / Selous, Tanzania | Tented | On enquiry | Boating and walking on the Rufiji system |
| Rubondo Island Camp | Lake Victoria, Tanzania | Bandas | On enquiry | Forested island; chimpanzee habituation |
| Rekero Camp | Masai Mara, Kenya | 9 tents | ~$910–1,450 | Inside the reserve; Talek River crossings |
| Encounter Mara | Naboisho Conservancy, Kenya | 10 tents | ~$710–1,100 | Low-density conservancy; walking + night drives |
| Naboisho Camp | Naboisho Conservancy, Kenya | Tented | On enquiry | Pioneering community conservancy camp |
| Emboo Camp | Masai Mara, Kenya | Tented | On enquiry | Solar power and electric safari vehicles |
| Ol Pejeta Bush Camp | Laikipia, Kenya | 10 tents | ~$600–920 | Rhino conservancy; last two northern white rhinos |
Figures are indicative 2026 per-person-per-night ranges, sharing (double occupancy), drawn from Asilia and reseller rate cards and rounded; low figures reflect green/secret season, high figures peak season. Inclusions cover accommodation, meals, house drinks, laundry, scheduled game activities and airstrip transfers; park and conservancy fees, premium wines, balloon flights and international flights are additional. "On enquiry" marks seasonal, expedition or newer camps without a settled public range. Always verify at time of booking.
Live East Africa inventory
Tanzania & East Africa trips, priced right now
Asilia is not a Safari.com house brand, so this is a live Tanzania destination feed rather than an Asilia-only catalogue — real per-person prices you can filter and enquire on, updated regularly. Scroll on for the three ways to book Asilia specifically.
How to actually book Asilia — three routes, honestly compared
Asilia sells through specialists and preferred partners rather than direct walk-in booking. Three routes work depending on how much planning support and how many quotes you want.
Route 1 · Bespoke planner
Go2Africa
The most comprehensive bespoke East Africa planning route. Go2Africa has direct relationships with the Tanzania and Kenya reservations teams and specialises in the multi-camp Serengeti–Mara–Ngorongoro circuits where Asilia's coverage pays off. Best for first-time bookers who want a human designing the route and pairing camps by season.
Design an Asilia trip with Go2AfricaRoute 2 · Tailored specialist quote
Safari.com
Best for readers who want a curated East Africa quote fast. Safari.com deep-links to Tanzania and Masai Mara itineraries and can slot Asilia camps into a wider circuit alongside adjacent operators, then price the whole thing per person.
Request an Asilia quote via Safari.comRoute 3 · Self-serve comparison
BookAllSafaris
Best for readers still shortlisting — comparing Asilia's camps against other Tanzania and Kenya operators in the same region before requesting a quote. Self-serve, with the broadest comparison field across the East African market.
Compare Asilia on BookAllSafarisNot sure Asilia is the fit? Compare against another operator.
The other luxury safari operators we have reviewed in depth.
Singita
18 lodges, exclusive-use concessions. The ultra-premium ceiling above Asilia.
Read the Singita review →andBeyond
29 lodges across three continents. Pan-African breadth and design.
Read the andBeyond review →Wilderness
60+ camps. Deepest Botswana footprint; small, remote, low-footprint camps.
Read the Wilderness review →Great Plains Conservation
Joubert-founded, conservation-first camps in Botswana and Kenya.
Read the Great Plains Conservation review →Sanctuary Retreats
A&K-owned. Chief's Camp Okavango + Nile cruise fleet.
Read the Sanctuary Retreats review →African Bush Camps
Community-rooted. Deepest Zimbabwe portfolio at luxury tier.
Read the African Bush Camps review →Natural Selection
Conservation-led Botswana & Namibia; characterful, lower-density camps.
Read the Natural Selection review →Straight answers to the questions readers ask
Is Asilia Africa worth it, and how does it compare to Singita or andBeyond?
For an East African safari with genuine conservation weight at a noticeably more accessible price, yes — Asilia is one of the strongest operators in Tanzania and Kenya. The honest read against the ultra-premium brands is that Singita and andBeyond sit a tier higher on pure exclusivity and design, and price well above. Asilia's edge is value and regional depth: close to twenty well-placed camps across the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Ruaha and the Mara, with green-season rates from around $500–600 per person. Many travellers get most of the experience for a fraction more sensibly spent.
Where does Asilia Africa operate?
East Africa, specifically Tanzania and Kenya, with a first camp opening in Uganda's Bwindi in 2026. In Tanzania it covers the Serengeti (Namiri Plains, Sayari, Dunia and the mobile migration camps), the Ngorongoro Highlands, Tarangire, Ruaha and Nyerere (Selous) in the south, and Rubondo Island on Lake Victoria. In Kenya it runs camps in the Masai Mara reserve, the Mara Naboisho Conservancy and the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia. It does not operate in Southern Africa.
Is Asilia really a B Corp, and are its conservation claims genuine?
Yes on both counts. Asilia certified as a B Corporation in 2012 — the first travel company in Africa, and only the second in the world, to do so — a standing since carried group-wide under parent Nawiri Group. Its impact model is structural: it helped pioneer private conservancies such as Mara Naboisho, where camps pay Maasai landowners to lease land for wildlife instead of farming, and it works with partners including Honeyguide on community-led anti-poaching and human–wildlife-conflict work. It also protects the Usangu Wetlands in Ruaha and runs a chimpanzee habituation project on Rubondo Island.
Which Asilia camp is best for the Great Migration?
It depends on timing. For the Mara River crossings from roughly July to October, Sayari Camp in the northern Serengeti is the standout — the operator's closest permanent camp to the river — while Rekero Camp does the same job on the Kenyan side of the border. To follow the herds year-round, the mobile Olakira and Ubuntu camps move north for the crossings and south to Ndutu for the December-to-March calving season. Book crossing dates nine to twelve months ahead.
Which Asilia camp is best for a first safari or for value?
Dunia Camp in the central Serengeti and Encounter Mara in Kenya's Naboisho Conservancy are the sweet spots — strong wildlife, real character and green-season rates from around $500–640 per person. Dunia has the added distinction of being Africa's only all-women-run camp. Ol Pejeta Bush Camp in Laikipia is another well-priced, high-meaning choice, built around rhino conservation. All three deliver a genuinely luxurious tented experience without the ultra-premium mark-up.
What is included in Asilia's nightly rate?
Rates are per person per night sharing and typically include all accommodation, all meals, house drinks (premium wines and champagnes may be extra), laundry, scheduled twice-daily game activities and transfers from the nearest airstrip. Park and conservancy fees, balloon safaris, private-vehicle hire, international and regional flights and gratuities are generally additional — park and conservancy fees in particular can add meaningfully to the headline rate in Tanzania and Kenya, so ask for an all-in figure.
How far in advance should Asilia be booked?
Nine to twelve months for peak season — July to October for the migration and the northern crossings, and the December-to-March calving in the southern Serengeti. The smallest and most sought-after camps, such as Dunia, Namiri Plains and Sayari in high season, book out earliest. Green-season stays (roughly April to May) can often be confirmed inside six months and come at the lowest rates of the year, when the landscape is at its greenest.
Can an Asilia safari be combined with the beach or with other operators?
Yes, and a good planner will often suggest it. Asilia's East African camps pair naturally with a Zanzibar or Kenyan-coast beach finish, and its Rubondo Island camp offers a freshwater alternative. Because Asilia is East Africa only, travellers wanting a Southern-African leg — the Okavango, Sabi Sand or the Namib — will usually route Asilia camps alongside a Wilderness or andBeyond stay, which a specialist can arrange as one itinerary.
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Disclosure. Uncompromised Travel earns affiliate commissions on qualifying bookings made through Go2Africa, Safari.com and BookAllSafaris links on this page. Editorial verdicts, region breakdowns and honest comparisons are not influenced by commission structure. Rates cited are indicative 2026 ranges and were compiled at time of publication; always confirm at time of booking. Asilia Africa is not a paid partner and has no editorial input on this page.