Best Lodges in Tanzania

Staying at the best lodges in Tanzania offers travelers a perfect mix of modern luxury and raw African wilderness. These high-end properties are located in famous parks like the Serengeti and near the Ngorongoro Crater to provide the best wildlife views. You will wake up to the sounds of nature and enjoy gourmet meals prepared by professional local chefs every day.

Choosing the right safari accommodation is the most important part of planning a successful trip to East Africa. This guide identifies the top properties that provide the most comfortable and authentic experiences for every guest.

These are the Best Lodges in Tanzania

Tanzania has some of the most famous and luxurious lodges in the entire world. These properties offer amazing service and are built in prime locations to ensure you see the most animals possible. Here are the top ten choices for your next big safari adventure in the country.

1. Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

The Four Seasons Safari Lodge is located in the central Serengeti and is famous for its large infinity pool. This pool overlooks a busy animal watering hole where you can see elephants and zebras drinking every afternoon. The lodge features elevated wooden walkways that keep you safe while allowing you to feel close to the wild. Each room offers modern amenities like air conditioning and high-speed internet to help you stay connected with your family. It is a top choice for families who want a traditional hotel feel in the middle of the bush. The staff are highly trained and provide a very professional level of service for every single guest.

2. &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

This lodge sits right on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater and offers views that are truly spectacular. The buildings use a unique design inspired by local mud and thatch houses, but have very luxurious interiors. Your private butler will take care of every need, from lighting your fireplace to bringing you hot tea. You can enjoy elegant dinners in a grand dining room with large chandeliers and fine silver service. The location allows you to be among the first vehicles to enter the crater for wildlife viewing each morning. It is often called the best lodge in Tanzania for a romantic and very private honeymoon stay.

3. Singita Faru Faru Lodge

Singita Faru Faru is situated in the private Grumeti Reserve on the western side of the Serengeti plains. This lodge offers a very modern and clean design that uses stone and canvas to blend into the hills. It overlooks the Grumeti River which is a key spot for animal crossings during the great migration season. You will have a private guide and a specialized vehicle for your game drives to ensure a very personal experience. The food is world-class and often includes fresh vegetables grown in the local community gardens. It provides a level of luxury and privacy that is very hard to find anywhere else in Africa.

4. Sayari Camp

Sayari Camp is located in the northern Serengeti near the Mara River and is perfect for seeing river crossings. The camp features fifteen luxury tents that are built on wooden platforms with amazing views of the green plains. It is famous for having the first solar-powered microbrewery in the park where you can try local craft beers. The infinity pool offers a great place to cool off after a long day of watching the wildebeest migration. Each tent has a massive stone bathtub where you can soak while looking out at the wildlife nearby. The staff are experts at finding big cats like lions and leopards in the rocky hills surrounding the camp.

5. Tarangire Treetops

Tarangire Treetops allows you to stay in luxury rooms that are built high up in the branches of ancient trees. Some of the rooms are constructed around the massive trunks of thousand-year-old baobab trees for a unique feel. You will have a bird's eye view of the giant elephant herds that move through the park every day. The lodge has an open design that lets the cool mountain breeze flow through your room as you rest. You can go on night game drives here to see nocturnal animals that stay hidden during the day. It is a very fun and adventurous place that children and adults both enjoy during their holiday.

6. Lake Manyara Tree Lodge

This is the only lodge located inside the Lake Manyara National Park and it offers a very quiet stay. The luxury suites are built on stilts in a mahogany forest to give you total privacy and peace. You can see the famous tree-climbing lions and thousands of pink flamingos in the park during your drives. The kitchen is open so you can watch the chefs prepare your meals using fresh local spices and herbs. It feels like a secret garden and is a great place to see rare birds and blue monkeys. The sound of the forest at night creates a very relaxing and magical atmosphere for every single guest.

7. Selous Serena Camp

Selous Serena is located in the Nyerere National Park and offers a wild and very remote safari experience. The tents are very luxury and feature proper bathrooms with hot water and large comfortable beds for the night. You can go on boat safaris on the Rufiji River to see hippos and crocodiles from a safe distance. The camp has a very traditional feel that reminds you of the old days of African exploration. It is a perfect choice for those who want to avoid the crowds found in the northern parks. The service is very warm and the guides are experts at finding rare wild dogs in the bush.

8. Gibb's Farm

Gibb's Farm is a working coffee farm located near the town of Karatu on the way to the crater. It offers a very different experience because you are surrounded by lush gardens and vegetable fields instead of dry plains. You can eat fresh food that was picked just a few minutes before your meal in their famous restaurant. The cottages are very cozy and feature large fireplaces to keep you warm during the cool highland nights. You can take walks through the coffee trees or visit the local school to see the community projects. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the green side of the Tanzanian highlands with your family.

9. Chem Chem Lodge

Chem Chem is located in a private land between Tarangire and Lake Manyara and focuses on a slow safari pace. This means you can walk through the bush with a guide or enjoy a private picnic under a tree. The lodge is very elegant and has a strong focus on protecting the environment and the local wildlife. You can see many giraffes and zebras walking right past the main lounge area during the quiet day. It is a very peaceful spot that allows you to connect with nature without any rush or noise. The staff are very attentive and will organize a private sundowner on the edge of the lake for you.

10. Namiri Plains

Namiri Plains was built in a remote part of the Serengeti that was closed for twenty years for research. This area has a very high number of cheetahs and lions because it was left undisturbed for so long. The camp is very modern and uses stone and white canvas to create a cool and bright living space. You can soak in a stone bathtub on your private deck while looking out at the endless grass plains. It is the best choice for serious photographers who want to see big cats in a quiet setting. The silence of this remote location is something that every visitor remembers for a very long time.

• Serengeti National Park: Best for the great migration and seeing large prides of lions in the wild.
• Ngorongoro Crater: Best for seeing the black rhino and the big five in a single day trip.
• Tarangire National Park: Best for massive elephant herds and ancient baobab trees that cover the landscape.
• Nyerere National Park: Best for boat safaris and seeing wild dogs in a very remote environment.
• Lake Manyara: Best for bird watching and seeing the unique tree-climbing lions in the mahogany forest.

Other Good Lodges in Tanzania

1. Ndutu Safari Lodge: This is a very classic lodge located in the area where the migration stops to have their calves. It features stone cottages and a cozy bar where guests gather around a large fire every evening. It is the best place to be in February to see thousands of young animals in the grass.

2. Arusha Coffee Lodge: Many people stay here at the start of their trip because it is built on a beautiful coffee farm. You can sleep in a luxury cottage and learn how the local people grow and roast the coffee beans. It is a very quiet place that helps you relax after a long international flight into the country.

3. Lemala Nanyukie: This is a new and very stylish lodge located in an area of the Serengeti known for big cats. Each tent has its own private plunge pool and an outdoor shower to help you enjoy the hot sun. The design is very bright and uses local wood to create a warm and modern African feel.

4. Beho Beho: This was the first lodge to be built in the Selous and it offers a very high-end safari experience. The stone cottages are very large and open to the air to give you a real connection with the wild. You can enjoy walking safaris with some of the most experienced guides in the entire African continent today.

5. Mbali Mbali Mahale: This lodge is located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and is the best place to see wild chimpanzees. You can reach the lodge only by boat and enjoy the white sandy beach and the clear blue lake water. It is a very remote and special place for travelers who want a real jungle adventure in Tanzania.

6. Lake Burunge Tented Lodge: This lodge offers a great view of the lake and is located between Tarangire and Manyara national parks. You can watch the sun set over the water while the flamingos fly past your private deck in the evening. It is a very affordable and friendly spot for people who are touring the northern circuit.

Conclusion

Finding the best lodges in Tanzania allows you to enjoy the incredible wildlife of East Africa while staying in complete comfort. Every property on this list provides a unique way to connect with nature and experience the local Tanzanian hospitality. Whether you choose a treehouse or a luxury tent, your stay will be a memory you cherish forever. Make sure to book your favorite lodge in advance to ensure you get the best views during the busy migration season. Your safari dream will become a reality when you choose a world-class lodge in this beautiful and wild country.