Marriott is continuing its safari expansion, and this property actually looks quite nice, and appropriately branded.
In this post:
Mapito Safari Camp, Tanzania, opening in Q3 2025
Marriott has signed an agreement to open the first Autograph Collection safari camp globally. Mapito Safari Camp is expected to open in Q3 2025, located in Tanzania’s Serengeti wilderness, near the Fort Ikoma gate of Serengeti National Park. The camp lies on the Great Migration route, so May to July is the ideal time to visit.
Mapito Safari Camp will offer 16 tented suites, including a two-bedroom villa. Each suite will feature an outdoor deck, fire pit, and retractable roof for open-air stargazing, a first for the region. The camp will also have a spa, fitness center, swimming pool, and multiple dining options. The design is described as drawing inspiration from the surrounding landscape and local Ikoma culture.
The property isn’t yet bookable, so details are limited, including whether it will be all-inclusive (I suspect it will be, but who knows). It remains to be seen how expensive the property will be, in terms of both points and cash. Presumably it won’t be cheap!
This safari camp sounds great!
Of course we only have a few renderings so far, but this property sounds pretty promising, and is a nice addition to the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio.
In 2023, we saw the opening of the JW Marriott Masai Mara, which was the first of its kind property for Marriott. There are now two more Marriott properties coming to Masai Mara, with a Ritz-Carlton expected to open in several months, and a second JW Marriott expected to open in 2026.
I’ve gotta say, the Autograph Collection branding of this property makes a lot more sense to me than the JW Marriott branding that Marriott is using for two of the other camps, given what most of us typically associate with JW Marriott.
Bottom line
Mapito Safari Camp is expected to open in Q3 2025, as part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The 16-tent property will be located in Tanzania’s Serengeti. Rooms aren’t yet on sale, and I imagine a stay here won’t be cheap, given how few accommodations there are, plus how expensive safaris are in general. I’ll be sure to post an update when it becomes bookable.
What do you make of the plans for this new Autograph Collection property?
They use JW Marriott because to a wide array of Asian customers, the translation of “marriott” wanho or wanhao is popular among the Asian market. Anything outside of marriott or jw marriott do not have anywhere near the amount of exposure it gets.
But yes, coming from USA or experienced traveler, JW marriott is odd. LC or Autograph or even Le Meridien makes more sense.
I love this! The location is superb, and the tents look terrific. One important note: global warming has messed with the timing of the great migration. It now changes — sometimes dramatically — from year to year, so the window you mentioned may not be accurate. That doesn’t mean there won’t be any game viewing, but people should be aware so they aren’t devastated if the huge herds aren’t in the vicinity when the guests stay at the camp.