Tanzania is a premier safari destination, boasting a diverse range of lodges that cater to every traveler. From luxury tented camps that follow the Great Migration across the Serengeti to lavish lodges perched on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, these accommodations offer unparalleled access to iconic wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. They blend stunning natural settings with exceptional service, ensuring an unforgettable African adventure.
1.The Highlands Ngorongoro
The Highlands Ngorongoro is a unique and exclusive safari lodge located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area of Tanzania. It is situated on the slopes of the extinct Olmoti volcano, a location that sets it apart from many other lodges in the region. The Highlands, however, is located about an hour’s drive away on the slopes of the Olmoti volcano. This gives guests a sense of privacy and exclusivity, away from the crowds that can sometimes gather at the more popular crater-rim lodges. And while game drives into the Ngorongoro Crater are a key activity.
The Highlands offers a much broader range of experiences. Its location allows for unique walking safaris and hikes that are not possible from other lodges. The Highlands provides a complete experience of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, not just the famous crater floor. It showcases the diverse landscapes of the Ngorongoro Highlands, from volcanic peaks and misty forests to rolling grasslands. This gives guests a more holistic and immersive understanding of the entire ecosystem. Unlike the more traditional safari tents or colonial-style lodges found elsewhere, The Highlands’ dome suites are a striking feature. The design, inspired by Maasai homes, is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, with large windows to maximize the incredible views and a cozy interior with a fireplace.
2.Azura Selous Safari Lodge
Azura Selous is a luxury safari camp located on the banks of the Great Ruaha River in the Selous Game Reserve (now part of Nyerere National Park) in southern Tanzania. It’s part of the Azura brand, known for its high-end, exclusive retreats in stunning locations. The Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest and one of its most remote, offering a much less crowded safari experience than the popular Northern Circuit parks like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Azura Selous takes this exclusivity a step further by being situated in a particularly secluded part of the reserve. Guests often have wildlife sightings to themselves, without the presence of other safari vehicles.
The 12 luxurious villas at Azura Selous are a distinctive feature. They combine the traditional safari experience of a tented camp with the solid, permanent feel of a stone lodge and emphasize a high level of personalized service. Each of the spacious villas is well-spaced out along the river, ensuring a sense of privacy. The camp also offers private plunge pools and outdoor showers with panoramic views. Dining is a flexible affair, with options for private dinners on your deck or in a secluded bush location. The camp’s small size ensures an intimate and personal atmosphere. While many luxury safari lodges cater to adults, Azura Selous welcomes children as well and even has a dedicated children’s club making it a great choice for a family safari.
3.Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
The Four Seasons Safari Lodge is a luxury hotel-style lodge located in the heart of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It is part of the renowned Four Seasons hotel chain, and this affiliation is a key factor that sets it apart from many other safari lodges. The Four Seasons offers a full-fledged, five-star hotel experience. It features a large number of rooms, extensive facilities, and a level of service and comfort associated with a global luxury brand. This makes it particularly appealing to travelers who want the comforts of home and a resort-like atmosphere while on safari.
The lodge’s position on an elevated platform next to a busy watering hole is a significant advantage. It allows for effortless wildlife viewing from your room’s private balcony or the communal areas, without even having to go on a game drive. For travelers who are familiar with and trust the Four Seasons brand, this lodge offers a sense of security and a guarantee of consistent, high-quality service, cleanliness, and amenities, regardless of its remote location in the African bush. And lastly the lodge has a dedicated “Kijana Klub” (Kids’ Club) with a game room and a range of activities designed specifically for children. This focus on family entertainment is not a feature found at every high-end safari lodge.
4.&Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
&Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is a remarkable safari lodge located in Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania. Its unique setting and design truly set it apart from other lodges in the region and throughout Tanzania. The most striking feature of the lodge is its architecture. Its “treehouse” design gives guests a truly immersive experience in the forest canopy, with views overlooking the leafy surroundings. It’s not uncommon for elephants and other animals to wander directly beneath the suites. The lodge is the only permanent lodge located deep within the remote southern region of Lake Manyara National Park. This offers a significant advantage as it provides unparalleled seclusion.
Guests at &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge have access to game drives in park areas that day visitors or those staying outside the main gate cannot easily reach. This means a more private and intimate safari experience with fewer vehicles. Lake Manyara National Park known for its diverse habitats, from the groundwater forests where the lodge is located to the alkaline soda lake and open grasslands. The Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions and large elephant herds. Staying at this lodge allows you to fully appreciate the varied landscapes and a different kind of safari experience than the vast plains of the Serengeti or the crater floor of Ngorongoro.
5.Tarangire Areetops lodge
Tarangire Areetops Lodge, often referred to as Tarangire Treetops Lodge, is a truly unique and luxurious safari camp located on the eastern side of Tarangire National Park in Tanzania. Its distinct features and philosophy set it apart from many other lodges in the region. The most notable feature of Tarangire Treetops is its elevated suites. The lodge’s 20 rooms sit on stilts, nestled among the branches of ancient baobab and marula trees.
This design gives guests a completely different perspective, allowing them to feel as though they are living in the tree canopy. The suites are exceptionally spacious, with a private deck that provides a magnificent viewpoint for watching wildlife on the plains below. Tarangire Treetops masterfully combines a high level of luxury with a sense of genuine adventure. The lavish, spacious suites and amenities like an infinity pool, spa, and fine dining provide a comfortable and indulgent experience, while the remote location and unique activities like walking safaris and night drives ensure a true sense of being “in the bush.
6.Tamu Tamu Serengeti Camp
Tamu Tamu Serengeti Camp is a luxury tented camp located in the central Serengeti in Tanzania. A 45-minute drive from the Seronera airstrip. It offers a balance of comfort and an authentic safari experience, and several key features set it apart from other lodges in Tanzania. While many high-end lodges in the Serengeti come with a very high price tag, people often highlight Tamu Tamu as a high-quality, luxurious safari experience at a more affordable price point.
This makes it accessible to a wider range of travelers who want comfort without the top-tier cost. With only 10 tents, Tamu Tamu is a small and intimate camp. This ensures a personalized and attentive service from the staff and a cozy, communal atmosphere. The elevated lounge and restaurant offer a comfortable space for guests to relax, share stories, and enjoy delicious meals. The lodge is situated far enough from the heavily crowded Seronera area to offer a sense of tranquility and a more private safari experience. However, it is still close enough to provide easy and quick access to the Seronera region, which is known for its abundant wildlife and is a key area for the Great Migration.
7.Ndutu Safari Lodge
Ndutu Safari Lodge is located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on the edge of the Southern Serengeti plains in Tanzania and stands out from many other safari lodges for its unique blend of history, authentic safari charm, and prime location for witnessing the Great Migration. Established in 1968, the Lodge is one of Tanzania’s oldest permanent safari lodges.
Its long history gives it a unique, classic feel. It was a favorite spot for pioneering naturalists, wildlife filmmakers like Hugo van Lawick, and photographers, and it retains a sense of being a place where the modern safari was born. The lodge’s position perfectly allows guests to witness one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles: the Great Migration’s calving season. This event attracts a high concentration of predators, making it an ideal time and location for exceptional wildlife viewing. While other lodges may be in the path of the migration at different times of the year, Ndutu is the undisputed prime spot for the calving season.
8.Chem Chem Safari lodge
The Chem Chem Safari lodge is located in a private conservation area between Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks in Tanzania. The lodge is renowned for offering a unique and deeply personal safari experience. It distinguishes itself from many other lodges with its specific philosophy and location. The traditional “big five” checklist safari, Chem Chem promotes a “slow safari” approach.
The focus is on a more mindful, in-depth experience of the wilderness. Therefore, activities are not rushed; They engage all the senses. You might enjoy on a silent walking safari with a Maasai guide, or simply sitting in a quiet spot to observe the behavior of wildlife. The lodge is situated within the Burunge Wildlife Management Area, a private conservation area. This gives guests exclusive access to the land, meaning they won’t encounter crowds of other safari vehicles. This also allows for a wider range of activities that are often prohibited in the national parks. Chem Chem emphasizes the importance of downtime and relaxation. The serene environment and range of facilities encourage guests to slow down and unwind, making it a perfect destination for those who want a blend of adventure and rejuvenation.
9.Mandrin Resort Zanzibar
Mandrin resort zanzibar, located in the charming and less-developed southern coast area of Kizimkazi Tanzania, stands apart from many other Zanzibar resorts and lodges due to a combination of its location, intimate size, and unique amenities that focus on a relaxed, non-commercialized beach experience. The resort sits in Kizimkazi, a traditional fishing village on the southern coast. This area boasts beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and marine life. This area is generally quieter and less commercially developed than the popular northern or eastern beaches. Kizimkazi is often the starting point for dolphin-spotting excursions. This gives guests direct and easy access to one of the island’s most famous marine activities. Crucially, Mandarin Resort Zanzibar strikes a balance by offering personalized service and a quieter, more authentic location while still providing the popular all-inclusive option and family-friendly amenities.
10.Asanja Moru
Asanja Moru is a luxury bush camp located in the Moru Kopjes area of the South-Central Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. In essence, this lodge distinguishes itself from many others through a combination of its highly strategic location, deep cultural immersion, and a commitment to an intimate, authentic tented safari experience. Furthermore, the unique, rocky granite outcrops (kopjes) surround the camp. Consequently, these formations serve as vital lookouts for predators and thus provide a dramatic backdrop for photography.
The location near Moru Kopjes and Seronera guarantees excellent year-round wildlife viewing. Guests see the Big Five here. In addition, Moru also offers a rare chance to spot the elusive Black Rhino. The lodge provides an unparalleled, raw wilderness immersion. Few other lodges offer this experience.
