Tanzania Safari Lodges and Tented Camps
Safari Camps and Lodges in Tanzania
Experience the very highest standards of accommodation in Tanzania on an Africa safari. Luxury tented camps located on National Parks, Game reservers and vast private concessions provide the most exclusive game viewing experiences. MOur portfolio of camps and lodges all have excellent facilities, including swimming pools, breathtaking game viewing decks, comfortable guest areas and the opportunity to dine under the stars.
Safari Lodges and Tented Camps in Tanzania
Loges & Camps in Serengeti
Lodges & Camps in Ngorongoro
Lodges & Camps in Manyara
Tented Camps in Tarangire
Loges & Camps in Serengeti
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Accommodation Serengeti Serengeti accommodation is as varied as the range of animals that make these rolling grasslands home. From romantic tented camps to exclusive safari lodges and private villas, accommodation in the Serengeti is found throughout the park itself. There are also adjacent private reserves that offer another level of exclusivity as well as activities such as night game drives and guided walks, which are not allowed in the public park. The Serengeti is an all-year safari destination. But if you’re booking your lodge or camp to coincide with the Wildebeest Migration, you’ll need to decide which region you want to be in and when. Remember, the annual Wildebeest Migration is a popular event on the safari calendar and the best placed accommodation in the Serengeti gets booked up quickly! |
Our selection of top accommodation in the Serengeti includes:
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Accommodations in Serengeti National Park by Seasons
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NDUTU – JAN to MARCH |
GRUMETI – W.CORRIDOR – APRIL/MAY |
NORTHERN SERENGETI JULY/SEPT |
CENTRAL SERENGETI – JUNE |
Lodges & Camps in Ngorongoro
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Lodges and Camps in Ngorongoro As one of the highlights on many East African itineraries, the Ngorongoro Crater is exceptionally popular. When deciding which Ngorongoro Crater accommodation to book, it pays to be aware not only of the availability of accommodation but also accessibility to the crater itself as well as your budget. The lodges set on the rim of the crater are exclusive and luxurious. Their views are perhaps among the most spectacular in the world, the service world-class and they make for a perfect Ngorongoro honeymoon. You’ll also be first in the queue to descend into the crater in the morning for your game drive. However, although visitors who stay close to the crater in the nearby town of Karatu will travel for around an hour before reaching the caldera, the accommodation here is more affordable, smaller and more intimate. Moreover, many of the lodges and guest houses offer additional activities such as local walking tours and horse riding. Browse our comprehensive list of Ngorongoro accommodation – there are lodges and manor houses, camps and hotels – to find something that best suits you or simply contact one of our Safari Experts for advice on the ideal place to stay. |
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Lodges & Camps in Manyara
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Lodges and Camps in Lake Manyara Lake Manyara National Park, while small in comparison to other parks in Tanzania, offers visitors a diverse range of fauna and flora, including many elephant and infamous tree-climbing lion. There is only one permanent camp within the park itself, while scattered around its outskirts are many excellent affordable camps as well as exclusive, luxury camps. Lake Manyara National Park is small and very beautiful, with one permanent camp within the park and a host of safari lodges in the surrounding areas. The only permanent accommodation set within the park boundaries is Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, otherwise most of the acoommodation servicing Manyara lies outside the park, including a string of upmarket and mid-range lodges. Browse our comprehensive list of Ngorongoro accommodation – there are lodges and manor houses, camps and hotels – to find something that best suits you or simply contact one of our Safari Experts for advice on the ideal place to stay. |
When it comes to accommodation options, there are a lot to choose from in Lake Manyara. Therefore, I’ve narrowed it down to a few of my personal picks:
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Tented Camps in Tarangire
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Lodges and Camps in Tarangire National Park There are plenty of reasons to visit Tarangire National Park as a part of your Tanzanian safari. From its distinctive baobab trees to its large herds of elephants to its wildlife diversity, the unique landscapes of Tarangire make it one of Tanzania’s most beloved parks. Located halfway between Ngorongoro and Arusha, Tarangire is the perfect place to start or finish your safari. Tarangire accommodations come in two main types, lodges and tented camps, and in 3 types, Publi Campsite, Budget logeds and tented Camps, Luxury lodges and tented Camps as well as Lodges and camps inside the Park. All provide comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, solid furnishings, private patios and mosquito protection, with running water, lighting and various levels of personal service. All have central reception units with lounge, dining area and bar whilst others have swimming pools. |
When it comes to accommodation options, there are a lot to choose from in Ngorongoro. Therefore, I’ve narrowed it down to a few of my personal picks:
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Tents or Lodges?
A room with four walls and conventional plumbing or a canvas tent on the plains? Your safari accommodations impact everything from the wildlife you see to the food you eat to the people you surround yourself with. There are pros and cons with every setup – some more straightforward than others. More than that, there’s some misinformation regarding safari amenities.
We’re going to dispel some myths and share the benefits and drawbacks for each type of accommodation.
Where to Stay for your Safari?
Seasonal Mobile Camps
Permanet Lodges and Hotels
Permanent tented Camps
Adventure Camping
Seasonal Mobile Camps
Seasonal mobile camps have no permanent structures. Canvas tents are moved to different locations depending on where the wildlife is during the year.
| + Mobility No matter when you choose to travel or where the Great Migration is, there’s a camp that can get you close to the action. You’ll hear lions and hyenas in the distance when you go to bed, and you’ll often wake up and find animal tracks through camp |
+/- Rustic Luxury Seasonal mobile camps are designed to strike a balance with nature – pared down in some respects, lavish in others. You’ll sleep comfortably in warm, cozy beds and enjoy the relaxing and chic lounge areas. But don’t expect Wi-Fi, full-time electricity or permanent plumbing. |
+/- Rustic Luxury Seasonal mobile camps are designed to strike a balance with nature – pared down in some respects, lavish in others. You’ll sleep comfortably in warm, cozy beds and enjoy the relaxing and chic lounge areas. But don’t expect Wi-Fi, full-time electricity or permanent plumbing. |
+ Personal Service Because they often cater to fewer travelers, seasonal mobile camps can offer more personalized service. This varies by how high-end the product is, so it’s important to research how many rooms an operator serves on average and how they have been rated. |
Permanet Lodges and Hotels
While Tanzania is well-known for its high-quality tented camps, there are also a wide range of permanent lodges and hotels available to travelers. All permanent lodges or hotels offer the same conventional amenities you can expect in a western-style hotel. However, top-budget boutique lodges take luxury to another level.The high-end properties run between $800 and $2,500 per person per night. Travelers interested in a more “connected” safari experience might be better served staying in more open accommodations.
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+ Conventional Accommodations You’ll have electricity and running water as well as a robust lounge area to relax in. Many hotels in the bush have pools. All in all, the experience is more familiar in a typical hotel sense. |
Fixed Location If you’re looking to maximize your Great Migration viewing experience, you’ll need to pay close attention to the location of your lodge. Unlike the mobile Camps, lodges can’t follow the wildlife. |
+/- Price Lodges and hotels aren’t luxurious by default. Accommodations range from relatively affordable to extremely expensive. The higher the cost, the greater the luxury – typically. |
– Immersion When you put four walls between yourself and the outdoors, you lose a piece of the safari experience. Many of our itineraries move guests between camps and lodges. |
Permanent tented Camps
Like permanent hotels and lodges, permanent tented camps offer many of the familiar comforts. They tend to be smaller and include some of the most luxurious arrangements.
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+ Conventional Accommodations You may have canvas walls, but you’ll also often have permanent plumbing, spacious lounge areas electricity and Wi-Fi & is a highly seasonal accommodation for prime wildlife viewing. |
– Fixed Location As with hotels and lodges, the fixed nature of a permanent camp makes it difficult to see the Great Migration. The accommodations are a nice combination of comfortable, rustic and outdoorsy. |
+/- Less Varied Customer Service While they serve fewer people, permanent tented camps still operate on a spectrum. Some serve as few as 25 rooms, others serve 40. Likewise, your service and experience will vary. |
+/- Price The typical permanent tented camp is more expensive than the typical hotel or lodge, but specific options run the gamut. Mostly prefered by adults and retired couples. |
Adventure Camping
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This is your standard camping experience – dome tents, cots or sleeping bags. + Mobility: Similar to mobile camping, your tent can be moved with ease and placed close to the action year-round. + Personalized Service: Adventure camping groups tend to be small, so you often have one-on-one access to your guide and staff – Little Privacy, Basic Dining: Your only private place may be your tent. The campground itself may welcome many different groups if it’s in a public park, so if privacy is of the utmost importance, request a campsite in a private area. Kitchens are very simple, and all support must be driven out, so expect only basic food options. – Rugged Accommodations |
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Tanzania National Parks Map
Expert tip: Absolutely do Stay in a tented Camp
MY number one tip for an unforgettable safari is: Spend at least one night in a tented camp during your trip! There is nothing so uniquely African as spending the night in a tented camp. It is a memory that will certainly stay with you. Unlike in a brick and mortar lodge – you get to smell, hear and feel the wilderness: there is simply nothing quite like it!
One thing to understand and keep in mind is that there are no fences. So yes, the animals might actually wander straight into camp and if you are lucky even straight up to your tent. This of course requires some basic safety measurements. After dark, you will be walked to your tent by an askari – watchman. And if you need to leave your tent after dark there will be a walkie-talkie or whistle provided inside the tent. If you are planning to travel with kids – you need to be aware that kids cannot wander the campsite alone and should be watched at all times. Upon arrival, the camp team will always give you a safety briefing. Having said all this: serious incidents are extremely rare. So if you follow the basic safety instructions it is perfectly safe to stay in a tented camp/lodge.
Roughing it or Luxury?
Some people imagine a very basic tent, cold showers, and a true back-to-basics experience. Others envision outdoor showers, lush surroundings, and a once-in-a-lifetime cushy experience. The funny thing is: it could be either or all of the above! One thing all of these accommodation types have in common is that they offer a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
To make things confusing there are three types of “tented” accommodations possible during your safari in Tanzania. When organizing your safari it is important to understand the lingo, so you know what you are in for. Something else to keep in mind is that it is NOT all in the name. There are many distinct mid-range camps using the term “luxury”, whereas the uber-luxury properties like to call themselves things like “barefoot” and “rustic”. But, we’re here to help to untangle any confusion that might occur!