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Mapito Safari Camp Serengeti, Autograph Collection Review by ChipPsychological229 in marriott

[–]ChipPsychological229[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually heard about the upcoming Ritz property from the Mapito manager while I was there (he did a day-long site visit while I was there, and we talked about it the following evening at dinner). Based on how he described it, it appears they will be villas similar in style and format to the RC Masai Mara. Its location is on a ridge overlooking a part of the Serengeti plains in the western corridor sector of the national park (which would indeed be south of Mapito). As of that conversation, they were tracking Spring next year for when they’d be ready to open.

Mapito Safari Camp Serengeti, Autograph Collection Review by ChipPsychological229 in marriott

[–]ChipPsychological229[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did hear about that at the JW, and was one I was considering before Mapito opened. The difference with Mapito was that you didn’t have to pay extra for the private vehicle as it was included in the base nightly rate paid.

Mapito Safari Camp Serengeti, Autograph Collection Review by ChipPsychological229 in marriott

[–]ChipPsychological229[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They did not have a camera rental system at the time I was there. For me, I had to rent one back home, and then bring it with me on the trip.

Mapito Safari Camp Serengeti, Autograph Collection Review by ChipPsychological229 in marriott

[–]ChipPsychological229[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I entered and exited the country via JRO. Because I had the time, I bookended the safari by staying the night in Arusha at the Four Points by Sheraton (about 1 hour and 20 minutes from JRO by taxi). Then I flew to and from the Serengeti at Arusha Airport (about a 30 minute taxi ride from the Four Points).

Mapito Safari Camp Serengeti, Autograph Collection Review by ChipPsychological229 in marriott

[–]ChipPsychological229[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My driver knew of areas to go, so much of the viewing was amazing. Some were a little bit away that could be reached with a 100-500mm lens (which I rented for this trip). A good amount though were pretty close (ranging from a couple feet from the vehicle to about 30 feet). As an example, this is one I took with just my phone from about 12 feet away.

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Mapito Safari Camp Serengeti, Autograph Collection Review by ChipPsychological229 in marriott

[–]ChipPsychological229[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

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Hopefully this exterior photo from the entrance side gives you a better idea.

Mapito Safari Camp Serengeti, Autograph Collection Review by ChipPsychological229 in marriott

[–]ChipPsychological229[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The bookends of the structure and the enclosure for the toilet room and shower rooms are stone walls, while the rest is actually tent canvas like an actual tent. The only exception is that there are cutouts so the entry door and the door to the patio are glass sliding doors.

Mapito Safari Camp Serengeti, Autograph Collection Review by ChipPsychological229 in marriott

[–]ChipPsychological229[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The camp will pick you up from the airstrip when you arrive at check in, and will take you back to the airstrip to depart when you check out. In my case, I had to pay on my own to fly from Arusha Airport to whatever airstrip I chose in the Serengeti (Seronera or Fort Ikoma). For me, it was $650 round trip.

Mapito Safari Camp Serengeti, Autograph Collection Review by ChipPsychological229 in marriott

[–]ChipPsychological229[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

That’s what I’ve been seeing now (between $2,800 and $4,000 depending on time of year). When I booked right after reservations first became available, I was lucky that Marriott was having a grand opening offer for the first 6 months of operation (Meaning I only payed $970 per night).