Tanzania safari accommodation consists of a mix of bush lodges, tented camps and mobile camps. Clients have the option of resort or hotel-style accommodation found on the island of Zanzibar and in the cities. Accommodation options vary from a three to five-star level, with the smaller and more exclusive properties being more costly. Tanzanian camps and lodges are run by local Tanzanians, known for their warm-heartedness and hospitable spirit.

When designing a Tanzanian Safari, there are some decisions to make: The first is whether you want a private safari or a group safari.A shared east African safari in Tanzania is a great way to meet new people and reduce costs but (unless you are traveling alone) we usually recommend a private safari because the price difference is not very significant (sometimes none at all) and you’d be able to benefit from full itinerary customization, travel at your own rhythm and pace and have more free space in the car. In fact, we specialize in tailor made safaris.

Tanzania safari accommodation 

A lodge safari can provide some of the most luxurious experiences in the world while still maintaining its traditional allure

The second decision is whether you want to camp in budget public campsites or stay in luxury tented camps/lodges.This decision will depend on both your budget and comfort requisites. When you contact us to plan your safari, we will suggest different accommodation options for each park, recommending those we believe have the best quality for their price-range.

A simple camping safari, besides helping to control the budget, can be an exciting and fun experience. On the other hand, staying in a private tented camp or lodge can provide some of the most luxury experiences in the World while still maintaining a safari’s traditional allure and feeling of authenticity. You can take a look at some of the camps and lodges that we use more often, for our Tanzania tour holidays

Tanzania safari accommodation options

When you choose your accommodation in Tanzania, we can suggest a variety of places to stay that range from luxury properties to family-run guesthouses and hotels in restored historic buildings. They all come recommended by our specialists from their own experience of staying there. Using the filters below you can refine the accommodation options to the places you’re planning to visit.

We believe in smaller and more intimate Tanzania safari lodge styles. KIAfrica Adventure recommends safari lodges that are of a mass tourist nature and only in certain areas do hotels have more than 15 rooms. There are a limited number of large properties that reflect resort style accommodation; these are generally found on the island of Zanzibar and not on the safari circuits.

Many of the camps we recommend will have no more than 8 rooms or tents (limiting the maximum amount of people to 16) as this leads to an interpersonal and engaging safari experience Safari lodges in Tanzania vary greatly from a three to five star level, with the smaller and more exclusive properties being more costly.

Luxury tented camps come in various levels of luxury and styles.  The common denominator is the eco-friendly, solar powered, canvas tents offering an authentic bush experience. Enjoy sunsets around a camp fire and feel at one with nature.

Some tented camps are designed specifically to be lightweight and mobile, in order to follow the wildebeest migration.

Permanent lodges offer a more fixed infrastructure with additional amenities such as a swimming pool and spa.  These lodges are also recommended when traveling with children under the age of 10 years as they are very child friendly.

Budget Camping

Campsites are the most basic of accommodation in terms of facilities and amenities. There are public and private campsites. At public campsites you might have to share the site with other travellers. There is an ablution block with showers and toilets. While you share the ablution block with other campers, showers and toilets are arranged as single cabins. Dome tents usually have simple beds/mattresses with linen and duvets. There will be a kitchen block where meals are prepared and your camping crew will wash the dishes

Beach Resort

Round off your safari with a beach holiday at the Indian ocean Island of Zanzibar, Pemba Island, Mafia Island or the Tanzanian coast. All resorts are superbly located and offer white sandy beaches. Unwind entirely and experience a high level of service, excellent facilities, beautiful surroundings and exciting activities. We highly recommend that you end your safari or trekking holiday with a few days on the beautiful white sandy beaches of the Tanzanian coast.

We often like to offer a mixture of various accommodation concepts on a safari in order for our guests to appreciate the nature, comfort and luxury that lodges and camps in Tanzania offer, while experiencing the adventure of spending a few nights under canvas.

Recommended Accommodation Options

Tanzania Safari  accommodation Tier Ranking Helps You Make The Best Informed Choice

Safari Tiers rank camp and lodge experiences on three different levels according to standard and worth so that clients know exactly what to expect for any safari accommodation based on its destination. The system is designed to balance all variables on a single scale of comparative values from the point of view of a prospective guest to provide a consistent relationship between factual worth and cost. Indicators include both the location of the accommodation and its amenities.

Our Top Tanzania Safari Accommodation 

ARUSHA COFFEE LODGE- Luxury

Arusha, Tanzania

Located on the outskirts of the bustling town of Arusha, Coffee Lodge sits in the foothills of Mount Meru. Designed around the plantation’s original home dating back to the early 1900s, the suites radiate into the coffee fields and feature a fireplace, comfortable furnishings, and beautifully appointed ensuite bathroom. The main Plantation House is an idyll of warmth, with friendly staff, a cozy lounge and restaurant, swimming pool, and garden terrace.

KIA LODGE- Classic

Arusha, Tanzania

Beautifully situated with views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Kia Lodge offers accommodation near the airport, ideal for day use prior to an evening departure, or for overnights if your flight arrives in the middle of the night.

LEGENDARY LODGE- Luxury

Arusha, Tanzania

Located at the foot of magnificent Mount Meru, Legendary Lodge offers 12 colonial-style cottages (10 garden and 2 family) each featuring a unique combination of amenities, views, fashionable interiors, lounge with leather seating and cozy fireplace, and tranquil bath with Italian fixtures, expansive vanity and large soaking tub. Property highlights include fragrant garden, exquisite spa, fitness center, and luxurious dining with open-air terrace.

MOUNT MERU GAME LODGE- Classic

Arusha, Tanzania

Set in beautiful and tranquil surroundings, the Mount Meru Game Lodge is nestled between the Usa river and the wildlife sanctuary, home to zebra, ostrich, a wide array of birds and monkeys, including the elusive Colobus monkey.

NGORONGORO CRATER

As the largest unbroken and non-flooded caldera in the world, the Ngorongoro Crater is a breathtaking wonder. With its forest-covered walls and fertile slopes, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to over 25,000 types of animals, a range of endangered species such as the Black Rhino, and over 500 species of birds. The ecosystems here support everything from elephants, buffalo, zebras, hippos, and wildebeest to a high concentration of predators, as well as the semi-nomadic Maasai people in the greater Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Archaeological research has detected hominid footprints in the Ngorongoro region that date back a staggering 3,600,000 years.

LEMALA NGORONGORO TENTED CAMP-Deluxe

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

An intimate camp set in a beautiful acacia forest on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp has nine spacious canvas tents, each featuring two queen beds and roomy ensuite bathroom with dressing area, flush toilet and a large gravity-fed hot shower. Tents are heated, and beds are equipped with winter weight duvets and hot water bottles. The mess tent is beautifully furnished with comfortable sofas, lamps, antiques, and rugs.

NGORONGORO CRATER LODGE- Luxury

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Undoubtedly the finest accommodation along the crater rim, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is unique among African lodges. Each room has a central living area and viewing decks overlooking the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. Colonial-style interiors combine regal colors under banana-leaf ceilings and grass roofs. Antiques, voluptuous raw silk curtains and tall, leather-backed chairs blend with African art to complete the ambiance. The lodge is divided into three camps of just 10 guest rooms each, arrayed around a central dining area and lounge.

NGORONGORO SERENA LODGE-Deluxe

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Hugging the jagged Ngorongoro Crater rim, each of the rooms of this deluxe safari lodge has its own private balcony, offering uninterrupted views of the volcanic amphitheatre far below. The stone lodge features a grand hearth, where a fire is kept continually burning to ward off the chill of evenings on the rim. Arched stone passages lit by torches, timbered decks, and walls decorated with stylized prehistoric cave paintings evoke the essence of African history.

SOPA NGORONGORO LODGE-Classic

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

The only lodge on the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, Sopa Lodge allows easy access to the crater floor, beautiful sunsets, and a private solarium for each room. Themed around traditionally circular African houses with conical roofs, decorated with examples of Africa’s traditional woodcarvings and sculpture, and embracing the colorful textiles and bold patterns of classic African design, the lodge complements its dramatic surroundings. Views toward the west ensure beautiful sunsets over the large swimming pool.

LAKE MANYARA SERENA LODGE-Deluxe

LAKE MANYARA , Tanzania

Perched on the edge of a towering escarpment overlooking the sparkling waters of Lake Manyara, Lake Manyara Serena Lodge is designed around this panoramic scene. The lodge features a simple timbered reception area, built in traditional African style, a dining room, bar and veranda, below which lies the pool. Each circular rondavel-style room offers spectacular views over the lake.

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Known as Siringitu to the Maasai, a word meaning ?”where the land goes on forever?,” the Serengeti covers some 5,700 square miles of open grassland, acacia-dotted rolling hills, and rocky outcrops known as ‘kopjes’. It is home to millions of earth?’s most impressive land animals, and one of the last great migratory ecosystems on the planet, with over 1,000,000 wildebeest and 200,000 zebra. This UNESCO World Heritage site is also home to substantial populations of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and over 500 species of birds. Naturally, this makes for a predator’s paradise, and large concentrations of lion, leopard, cheetah, and spotted hyena lay in wait.

BUFFALO LUXURY CAMP-Deluxe

Loliondo Reserve, Tanzania

Buffalo Luxury Camp is a permanent tented camp consisting of 15 spacious tents with ensuite facilities, designed to embrace the beauty of the Serengeti and its wildife. The captivating Klien’s Concession location allows for a unique safari and wildlife experience in a private reserve bordering Serengeti National Park, where game viewing activities may be combined with night drives, guided nature walks, and cultural interactions with resident Maasai tribes.

GRUMETI SERENGETI TENTED CAMP-Deluxe

Western Corridor & Grumeti Reserve, Tanzania

In the path of the Great Migration, Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp’s simple yet sophisticated safari tents are nestled on the banks of a tributary of the famous Grumeti River. The camp’s location provides an exclusive Serengeti experience with secluded game viewing in the famous Grumeti game reserve. Ten tented suites overlook the river and its resident pods of hippo, and feature open-air showers. A sparkling swimming pool and open-air dining boma complete the experience.

KURIA HILLS LODGE-Luxury

Northern Serengeti National Park , Tanzania

Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge is situated close to the Mara River on the route of the Great Migration in the northern Serengeti. Each tent ensures both privacy and spectacular vistas over the savannah and woodlands. Featuring 15 glass-fronted suite tents with twin or king beds; ensuite bathroom with flush toilet, hot showers and a freestanding bath; and plunge pools. Main areas include a bar, sitting and dining areas, swimming pool and extensive decks.

LEMALA EWANJAN TENTED CAMP-Deluxe

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Lemala Ewanjan is set within the game-rich Seronera Valley in a secluded part of central Serengeti. Offering breathtaking views of the Serengeti plains, the camp has 12 spacious tented suites, each fitted with two queen-sized beds with warm duvets, full bathrooms, and a veranda. The dining and lounge tent is decorated with comfortable sofas, chandeliers, and antiques. Campfires and sunset cocktails provide ample time to swap stories of the day.

MBUZI MAWE TENTED CAMP- Deluxe

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Located under a scenic rock outcrop in the central Serengeti, Mbuzi Mawe is a great stopover point en route from Ngorongoro Crater to the northern Serengeti. It can also be a destination unto itself, as the central Serengeti is known for its prolific resident game, from big cats to hippos. This deluxe permanent camp is comprised of 16 spacious tents with ensuite facilities and verandas overlooking the sweeping views of the plains, each situated to enhance privacy.

MIGRATION CAMP-Deluxe

Northern Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Hidden among the rocky outcrops of the northern Serengeti, Serengeti Migration Camp overlooks the riverine forest of the famed Grumeti River. 20 deluxe permanent tents, each with richly furnished bedrooms, full ensuite bathroom, and private deck. The main tent has a split-level lounge, a swimming pool, restaurant and viewing platforms that offer vistas across the river and the rugged landscape beyond.

MOBILE CAMPING-Classic

Western Corridor & Grumeti Reserve, Tanzania

Boundless Journeys’ mobile camps allow us to be close to the action in privacy and style. Set in beautiful locations, selected to ensure proximity to the great migration at any time of year, our large walk-in tents are 10’ x 24’, including attached bathroom with flush toilet and gravity-fed hot shower, as well as a covered veranda. Large screened windows allow in ample light and provide lovely views of the savannah from your bed. Amenities include a wash basin, cozy bathrobes and towels, full-size queen (or twin) beds, hotel-quality linens, electric lighting, and a writing desk. There is a skilled bush chef, a fully stocked bar, and personal tent valets to look after your tent, laundry, and other needs while camping. Meals are served al fresco or in a large dining tent, complete with linens and china.

OLAKIRA CAMP- Deluxe

Serengeti, Tanzania

This well-appointed, traditional tented camp moves seasonally, so that we are always close to the Great Migration in privacy and style. Nine spacious tents with comfortable beds, side tables, and a writing desk are scattered across a private, remote landscape. Private bathrooms attached to each tent include shower, flush toilet, washbasin, and vanity. There is also a dining and lounge tent with waiter service and a fully stocked bar.

PRIVATE MOBILE CAMP-Classic

Northern Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Boundless Journeys’ mobile camps you to be close to experience the grandeur of the Serengeti in comfort, privacy, and style. Camps are set in beautiful locations, selected to ensure proximity to the Great Migration at any time of year, and feature innovative tents, ensuite baths, lighting, and indulgent touches. A candlelit dining tent with silver service meals evokes the finest safari traditions.

PRIVATE SERENGETI CAMP-Deluxe

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Our deluxe mobile tented camp allows us to experience the grandeur of the Serengeti in privacy, comfort, and style. The camp is situated to take best advantage of the seasonal movements of the great migration, and features innovative tents, with a unique open-ceiling shower to experience unforgettable African skies. LED lighting allows you to move freely about your tent at night without a flashlight, and a candlelit dining tent with silver service meals evokes the finest safari traditions.

SANCTUARY KICHAKANI CAMP-Deluxe

Serengeti, Tanzania

This well-appointed, updated take on a classic “campaign” tented camp moves seasonally, so that we are always close to the Great Migration in privacy and style. Ten spacious guest tents with comfortable beds, side tables, and a writing desk are scattered across a private, remote landscape. Ensuite bathrooms attached to each tent include shower, flush toilet, wash basin and vanity. There is also a dining and lounge tent with waiter service and a fully stocked bar.

SANCTUARY KUSINI CAMP-Luxury

Southern Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Perfectly sited in a cluster of rock outcrops, Sanctuary Kusini is a permanent luxury tented camp blended seamlessly into the delicate environment of the wildlife-rich plains of the Serengeti. The surrounding short grass plains provide the setting for the most spectacular natural phenomenon on the continent of Africa, the Great Migration. Kusini sits exclusively in this remote region of the Serengeti, affording guests the rare opportunity for secluded game drives well away from the usual tourist circuit.

SERENA SERENGETI LODGE-Deluxe

Central Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

This grand African lodge, set high on a ridge and commanding panoramic views across the Serengeti, offers a fusion of traditional African architecture and modern comfort. Centrally located adjacent to the famous Western Corridor and Grumeti River, the lodge has been designed to blend into the living landscape. A series of traditional domed rondavel-style rooms and swimming pool are scattered throughout the grounds, cooled by groves of acacia trees and sparkling streams.

SERENGETI SOPA LODGE-Classic

Central Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Located on the edge of the escarpment overlooking the plains of the southwestern Serengeti National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty, Serengeti Sopa Lodge offers hospitality and relaxation in one of Africa’s great wildernesses. This expansive lodge offers ensuite rooms and suites, each with a veranda and extraordinary views of the vast Serengeti plains. The lodge also features an open dining area, bar with terrace, and swimming pool.

SINGITA FARU FARU LODGE-Luxury

Western Corridor & Grumeti Reserve, Tanzania

Singita Faru Faru Lodge is located in the Grumeti Reserve adjacent to Serengeti National Park. Positioned on the path of the Great Migration, Faru Faru is a mix of contemporary, organic style and quirky practicality. The property offers seven one-bedroom suites, one family suite and one two-bedroom villa with private infinity pool. There is a spa, gym, two swimming pools, equestrian center, and extensive wine cellar.

SINGITA SASAKWA LODGE-Luxury

Western Corridor & Grumeti Reserve, Tanzania

Singita Sasakwa Lodge is located in the Grumeti Reserve adjacent to Serengeti National Park. A sense of grandeur is woven throughout the turn-of-the-century manor house and private cottages through a blend of authentic European style and East African influences. Each cottage and villa features private infinity pool, and the main areas of the lodge feature a swimming pool, spa, gym, equestrian center, and extensive wine cellar.

TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

Although not as well known as the Serengeti, Tarangire is a wonderful destination for any safari in Tanzania. The year-round water supply draws plains game from far and wide to gather at the river, making it a veritable buffet for predators. Everything from migratory wildebeest, buffalo, and zebra to gazelle, eland, hartebeest, and impala can be seen, as well as herds of up to 300 elephants. The best time to spot mammals is the dry season (June to October).

MARAMBOI TENTED CAMP-Classic

Lake Manyara and Tarangire regions, Tanzania

Located strategically between the Tarangire and Lake Manyara national parks, this permanent tented lodge features 40 spacious thatch-and-canvas tented rooms raised off the ground. Walkways connect the private tents with the main areas of camp and swimming pool, and each tent offers a private veranda overlooking the Great Rift Valley escarpment and Lake Manyara.

OLIVER’S CAMP- Deluxe

Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

The charm of Oliver’s Camp is its understated bush luxury without unneccessary frills. Set deep within Tarangire National Park near the famous Silale wetland, Oliver’s features 10 permanent safari tents (including one honeymoon and one family tent), each boasting a hand-carved African mahogany king-sized bed, private veranda and ensuite bathroom with flush toilets and spacious outdoor shower. Guests enjoy meals together at the main lounge area and swap safari tales around the campfire.

PRIVATE TARANGIRE CAMP-Deluxe

Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Our private tented camp offers luxury safari tents set under sprawling acacia trees in an uncrowded area of Tarangire National Park. The tents are large and airy, with full width windows, ensuite bathrooms with hot showers on request, king-sized double or twin beds, interior solar lighting, and a private veranda. The camp also has a comfortable lounge tent for socializing and a fully stocked bar.

TARANGIRE TREETOPS LODGE-Deluxe

Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Tarangire Treetops sits serenely in a baobab and marula grove on the border of the Tarangire National Park. The main lodge and 20 elevated rooms are built to incorporate the impressive bulk of a thousand year-old baobab tree. Each spacious, ensuite room features warm furnishings and an expansive private balcony. Lantern-lit dinners in the traditional boma are accompanied by the sounds of Maasai chants, while poolside dinners allow observation of the wildlife that comes to the waterhole.

NOTED: 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.

Some safari camps and lodges cater to few guests thus having fewer rooms and the safari transfer logistics are generally by air.

*Price guide is per day/person sharing a double or twin room. Single room supplements may apply for certain travel months and accommodations.