Where to Stay in Tanzania
Some of the camps we offer are ultimately comfy permanent luxury tented camps, others are small and have superb attention to detail, whilst others are mobile tented camps that ensure you will maximise your chances of witnessing the great migration. Game lodges are also popular options, and have a permanent structure with private bandas, lounges and communal dining. In Zanzibar, boutique lodges with bungalows and villas afford paradise views of the Indian Ocean. Please take a look at some of our favourite accommodation in Tanzania below, from camps and lodges to luxury hotels and beach retreats.
1. Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge is perfectly located to prepare for or relax after a safari in the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater…and, of course, it serves excellent coffee! This small and sophisticated luxury lodge is situated on an expansive coffee plantation and is a working farm, where guests can watch the coffee beans roasting, taste the aromatic blends and purchase fresh roasted beans. Inspired by the grace and romance of a fine 'old-time' coffee plantation, Arusha Coffee Lodge is of the highest standard. Private chalets overlook the plantation, with stunning views of Mount Meru. The lodge consists of 17 luxury rooms and a honeymoon suite. Rooms have a split-level living area, en-suite bathroom with hot and cold water, shower and bath, fans and private verandas with magnificent views of Mount Meru and the coffee plantation. Added luxuries include a mini bar, safe, open fire, hairdryer and coffee percolator. The lodge’s facilities include a swimming pool, bar, boutique shop, spa and internet access.
2. Kuro Camp
Part of the Nomad Camps, Kuro Tarangire follows in the previous camps footsteps as being luxurious as well as eco-friendly with a huge emphasis upon the footprint that it leaves on the environment. The location of the camp, next to the Tarangire River, prides itself on the amount of elephant, buffalos and rare game such as gerenuk which live in the area.The camp is comprised of six large, luxurious tents each complete with en-suite facilities including bucket showers and eco-toilets. There is also a veranda next to the tents where you can enjoy a fresh breakfast whilst watching the game meander past. There are two communal tents in the centre of the camp one of which is the dining area which can be partly open so you will never miss a sighting! The other is a lounge area which is the perfect place to relax after a thrilling safari where you can exchange stories with the other guests.The main focus at Kuro Tarangire Camp is spotting wildlife; so the activities are focused mainly upon game drives and walking safaris. The camp has its own 4x4 safari vehicles and the guides which will accompany you have an astounding knowledge of the local area including the beautiful flora and fauna which is situated here.
3. Gibbs Farm
This working farm is ideally situated on the forested slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, halfway between Lake Manyara and the crater itself, near the village of Karatu. Set in beautiful formal English flower gardens, the farm was initially built in 1929 and still retains its old historical charm.With a warm and friendly community and a relaxed atmosphere, this charming hotel offers the chance to wind down and relax or take part in the day-to-day running of the farm – whatever takes your fancy – while also providing a perfect base from which to embark on safaris. In 2018, Gibb's Farm was voted as one of the Top 20 Best Hotels in the World by Condé Nast Traveler. An array of organic goods are cultivated here in the rich volcanic soil, from coffee and vegetables to chickens and dairy products. Mealtimes are undoubtedly a highlight! All of the newly renovated cottages maintain a rustic charm, mirroring their original style with the addition of contemporary amenities. Each one comes with a private veranda, beautiful wooden floors and spectacular views of the flower gardens and Ngorongoro Crater beyond. Light, airy and with wraparound windows, there are also wood fireplaces to keep you warm during the cooler evenings. The en-suite bathrooms feature large baths surrounded almost entirely by windows, perfect for getting in touch with nature. The outdoor showers are sheltered by large, exotic banana plants – resulting in one of the most exhilarating showers you will ever have!
4. Crater Lodge
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge has been called the game lodge at the top of the world. Between the natural riches of the Crater spread out at its feet and the incredible architecture, it’s easy to believe that you have entered a realm of pure fantasy. Nearly three million years old, the ancient caldera shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens on earth. Nowhere else on earth can you wake up among all the trappings of an elegant baroque châteaux that transports you into one of the most famous African landscapes. An eclectic blend of teak panelling, Victorian furnishings and whimsical African touches creates a sumptuous atmosphere that is as elegant and unique as the Crater itself. In this place of dramatic contrasts, anything is possible and the natural luxury of the beautiful setting ensures the dramatic interior of your suite blends perfectly with its stilted thatch architecture. Divided into three camps, 30 suites with banana leaf ceilings and grass roofs provide an intimate and exclusive experience. Each camp has its own sitting and dining areas, with private butlers who provide warm, personal service. With ever-changing views as mists swirl over the huge wildlife cauldron below, the location is truly breathtaking. Guests can be forgiven for losing track of which era, or even continent, they are experiencing at this lodge. Everything is chosen to delight the imagination and enhance the spectacular views of the magnificent surroundings.
5. Olakira Migration Camp
The mobile Olakira Migration Camp follows the wildebeest migration around the Serengeti, from the epic river crossings in the north to the southern plains where they give birth to thousands of calves each year. Stay with us to witness the greatest animal migration in the world. Between June and October, Olakira is in the north to witness the crossing of the Mara River. Here, watch thousands of wildebeest take a leap of faith into the water, facing hungry Nile crocodiles and cantankerous hippos. When the herds are on the move, the air is full of grunting, thudding hooves and billowing dust. From December until March, we move camp to the southern plains of the Serengeti, where the wildebeest go to give birth and graze on lush grass, and predators such as lions and cheetahs gather to prey on the young. Even at night, the Olakira Migration Camp experience is special. Mesh-covered stargazing tents allow guests to sleep under a sky of glittering stars.
6. Singita Faru Faru Lodge
Set in front of a busy waterhole alongside the Grumeti River in the heart of the Serengeti, Singita Faru Faru Lodge invites continuous connections with its breathtaking surroundings. A relaxed approach to luxury forms a golden thread throughout this contemporary African lodge and allows guests to experience the deeply restorative power of nature. Décor & design includes airy bedroom suites, where every creature comfort is catered for with intuitive ease and oversized windows welcome the wilderness inside. Vast outdoor decks and multiple airy enclaves allow for intimate dining and drinks, while the café-style bar at the heart of the lodge hums with a subtle sparkle – spilling over to the pool area and firepit, and making for magical evenings under starlit skies. Set within Singita’s 350,000-acre private reserve in northern Tanzania, Faru Faru embodies a fresh take on African bush appeal and ushers in a new era of luxury wilderness safaris.
7. Lemala Kuria Hills
Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge is remotely located in the Wogakuria Hills of the Northern Serengeti. A scenic region characterized by grassy rolling hills, open woodland and tree-lined watercourses, it is a habitat that attracts wildlife throughout the year. Lemala Kuria Hills is in close proximity to the Mara River on the Serengeti’s border with Kenya’s Maasai Mara, so is also within the main corridor of the world-famous wildebeest migration between July and October. The lodge offers unrivaled luxury and sophistication, where you can choose to either relax in style or enjoy the Northern Serengeti’s excellent game viewing (without the crowds) with our superb guides in open 4×4 vehicles. There are several dining options at the lodge or out in the bush, and delicious meals include a choice of starters, main courses, desserts and house drinks. Afternoon tea is served before your game drive, and cocktails at sunset are taken on one of the kopjes with distant views of the Isuria Escarpment in the Maasai Mara. The Melengali Spa is in a separate tent where you can indulge in massages and manicures in a peaceful, natural setting.
8. Mwiba Lodge
Legendary Mwiba Lodge is a secluded and sophisticated haven that is set amongst massive stone boulders, ancient coral trees and acacias, all whilst overlooking a rocky gorge on the Arugusinyai River. The lodge is set in harmony with an idyllic backdrop that offers an unmatched experience in luxury adventure, mixing both traditional and modern design elements that creates an inviting hideaway. The lodge is located in the Mwiba Wildlife Reserve which is a conservation concession dedicated to the balance between wildlife and local communities. This area is only accessible to a handful of guests which allows for an uncrowded safari experience within the greater Serengeti eco-system. The 129,530-acre reserve is lush with 33 freshwater springs that sustains a diverse array of wildlife. Some magical experiences available at Mwiba include game drives, bush walks and cultural excursions to the local tribe’s village. With interiors that have artfully integrated the natural surroundings using layers of textured creams, suede, tans and accents of chocolate and charcoal. From the linen sofas to the ornately carven wooden tables and cascading lighting within the ten double suites that all have wide-open layouts where every room flows to one another. Each room brings the outdoors inside using traditional canvas walls that have been accented with copper fixtures, head into the bathroom with enormous bathtubs and private outside showers. Take a dip in the grey slate-lined infinity pool that overlooks three springs where you will enjoy the sights and sounds of the parade of wildlife.
9. Greystoke Mahale
This luxurious camp is located in a small sandy bay lined with palm trees and backing on to the lush green slopes of the Mahale Mountains; this area of western Tanzania is home to the world’s largest populations of chimpanzees, which guests can observe amongst the vines, waterfalls, exotic birds and butterflies. As well as chimpanzee tracking, many water-based activities are on offer, from snorkelling to fishing. Set in an isolated location, the camp is accessed by charter flight and local pirogue down the stunning Lake Tanganyika. Accommodation is in six exotic wooden bandas overlooking the white sand beach. Six exotic, wooden bandas overlook a white sand beach, set back into the shady tree-line. Short boardwalks link to private bathrooms and each banda features a dressing room, veranda and chill-out deck. The camp has a central dining area, library and exquisite bar – this really is magnificent safari accommodation. Chimpanzee tracking is the highlight at Greystone Mahale, with snorkelling, fishing and swimming other popular activities.
10. Ikuka Ruaha
Perched on the edge of the Mwagusi escarpment, commanding spectacular views across the Ruaha valley, Ikuka offers a classic luxury wilderness experience. Comprised of just 7 beautifully appointed rooms, each with its own panoramic vista of the Ruaha wilderness. Ikuka offers a compelling insight into the dramatic wilds of Ruaha and Tanzania. Each of the 7 spacious tents have been incorporated onto the Ikuka escarpment with fantastic views over Ruaha National Park. The interiors comprise of white quartz from the escarpment itself along with other locally and sustainable sourced materials. The rooms have 24 hour electricity, fans and hot water as well as large super-king beds, a spacious bathroom area and a lounge area complete with comfortable leather seating leading out onto large private balconies. There is currently 1 family room, perfect for couples or families.