8 Tanzanian lodges ideal for a luxury safari

When it comes to enjoying the best safaris in Tanzania, lodges are super important. There are two reasons for this.

On the one hand, many of them are located in a private area where only their guests can go on safari. These areas tend to offer a more pleasant experience, with fewer cars than in common areas and easier to see the most elusive animals.

On the other hand, the safari guides that we have will belong to the lodge. So if we go to a top-notch lodge, we probably have a top-notch guide to make the safari unforgettable. Additionally, many of these lodges offer additional luxury travel experiences such as a balloon safari .

We are going to look at eight of the best lodges in Tanzania .

1. Acacia Farm Lodge (Karatu, Tanzania)

Acacia Farm Lodge is one of the most interesting lodges in Tanzania if we want a place that allows us to go to different national parks instead of staying inside one. This place avoids having to go from one place to another as it is located in Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Area, the Tarangire National Park and the Serengeti. Of course, you will have to get up quite early to arrive at each park at the correct time.

Considered one of the best hotels in Africa , it stands out for its eco-sustainability, which has led it to win various awards. Located in a rural and coffee-growing area, it allows you to discover the other Tanzania that is hidden beyond its national parks and reserves.

There are only a few luxury suites, in this case they are villas and not tents, with all possible luxuries and comforts. Of course, it is located within a farm of 25 acres of land, being able to enjoy in its restaurant the delicacies that are grown right there.

The lodge also has a camp in the Serengeti, so it also offers the option of sleeping inside the park if we want it. If not, we can also enjoy its spa, its cafeteria, its restaurant or its outdoor pool when the heat is on.

2. Asilia Highlands (Ngorongoro)

Asilia Highlands is one of the most impressive luxury lodges that we can find anywhere in the world. It has a modern and open design, with eight suites with a glass dome to see the stars, inspired by traditional Maasai huts but very contemporary.

These circular huts are located on the slopes of the Olmoti volcano , in the heart of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area . Completely surrounded by vegetation, it allows total privacy, being able to see all of nature from them but without being able to see the interior from the outside.

The interior is not far behind either, both in the rooms and in the common areas. Particularly noteworthy is the rest area around the fireplace, the library and its bar and restaurant.

With local, organic and fresh food, Asilia ‘s cuisine draws on the tradition of local tribes, but reinvents itself to offer contemporary and innovative dishes. Even so, we will also be able to do activities beyond the safaris, such as meeting local tribes such as the Hadzabe or the Masai and learning more about their gastronomy and way of life.

3. Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge (Parque Nacional Lago Manyara)

We already told you about Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge in our article on luxury pools. And it is that its spectacular pool on Lake Manyara , from where we can see the animals drinking in the lake, is beautiful. I bet you spend quite a bit of time in the pool when you’re not on safari.

The views from this place are incredible and go beyond the Lake Manyara National Park itself. On clear and cloudless days, we can also see Mount Meru or Kilimanjaro itself, as well as enjoy the chirping of more than a hundred different species of birds. For this last reason, it is a highly sought after destination for ornithology lovers.

The design of the rooms also stands out, taking care of every detail according to international luxury standards. You are in the middle of nature, but you will feel the luxury as if you were in the middle of the Parisian Champs Elysees.

This is especially noticeable in the superior private villas, which come with their own private infinity pool with incredible views or a private Jacuzzi on the terrace. Perfect for relaxing after an early rise for a safari after the Big Five .

4. Singita Faru Faru Lodge (Serengueti)

Among the most notable lodges in Tanzania, we cannot forget the Singita Faru Faru Lodge either . Located next to the Grumeti River , it has one of the favorite pools for elephants and other mammals to go to drink. So if you are looking for hotels with elephants in Africa , this is an essential option.

Built with natural materials such as stone and wood, it stands out for its location in a private reserve of 350,000 acres. Here not only are there countless animals, but we can enjoy them together with the other guests of this small and exclusive lodge without outside visitors.

Likewise, its gastronomic options stand out, with different opportunities to enjoy the best delicacies in the middle of nature. Wine tasting, outdoor pool or even wellness treatments based on local traditions make the experience complete.

Being located on the Grumeti River, which millions of ungulates cross during the Great Migration , we cannot fail to highlight its balloon safari, in which we can see from the sky how they cross from Tanzania to Kenya or vice versa in search of fresher pastures.

5. Serena Mivumo River Lodge (Matambwe)

The Serena Mivumo River Lodge is another of the most interesting lodges in Tanzania . Located in the Nyerere National Park , it is an area not very common in the main safari routes, but it can be very enjoyable if we want to repeat and see other places in Tanzania . In fact, it is the largest National Park in Africa and has the Big Five.

The lodge is located in the private reserve of Selous Game Reserve , which is equally huge, specifically four times more than the Serengeti. Its location on the Mivumo river makes it a perfect place to observe the animals when they come to drink.  

Beyond its location, its interiors, cared for down to the last detail, also stand out. Using natural materials such as stone and wood, it is a lodge that blends in with nature and makes you feel like you are in a hidden palace.

Each villa has its own terrace, including a private pool overlooking the river, so you can see the animals taking a bath or relaxing after a safari through this unknown and vast reserve in southern Tanzania.

6. Escarpment Luxury Lodge (Lago Manyara)

If we want to go to lodges in Tanzania with awards, one of the most awarded is the Escarpment Luxury Lodge . Considered one of the best luxury camps on the entire planet, it is located on a gorge on Lake Manyara , with unmissable views.

Being a super exclusive camp, it only has 16 tents, all fully equipped, with a terrace to see the views, wood and white finishes, a bathtub and everything you need to relax next to one of the best sunsets in Africa.

Nor can we forget the views from the pool, from where we can see Lake Manyara in all its fullness. It is one of those places where we do not want to leave the hotel despite the many activities that are available.

With a great gastronomic offer focused on offering modern dishes with local ingredients, beyond safaris we will also be able to get to know the local population and their customs, becoming a very enriching experience on a personal level.

7. One Nature Hotel Nyaruswiga Serengeti (Serengeti National Park)

Continuing with the nature hotels in National Parks , we must mention the One Nature Hotel Nyaruswiga Serengeti with 14 ultra-luxury tents in the heart of the Serengeti Park , in northern Tanzania. In this case, in the central area of ​​the park.

The stores, being located in the middle of the park, allow the observation of all its animals. It is a place where about 3000 lions live, as well as many leopards, elephants, buffaloes, etc., so we will enjoy the experience to the fullest.

Nor can we forget its interiors, cared for down to the smallest detail for a first-class stay. If we add its pool and jacuzzi, its astronomical observation center or the quality of its restaurant, it is perfectly understandable why it is defined as ultra-luxury and not just luxury.

We can also go horse riding, play badminton, get to know local cultures or simply relax in the spa with a first class treatment.

8. Maramboi Tented Camp (Tarangire National Park)

In the Tarangire National Park but in a very special location next to Lake Manyara is Maramboi Tented Camp , one of the most famous hotels in Africa with giraffes , deer, antelopes, zebras and other ungulates.

Like other lodges in Tanzania on the list, this camp stands out for its large infinity pool from which to spot the animals. They come pretty close on their way to anything to drink, making it some of the best accommodation for viewing herbivores up close.

In addition, the lodge itself is fantastic, with tents with a capacity of up to five people, with the possibility of connecting tents of five and four, in case we want to stay with friends.

In the outdoor area it has a platform with a bonfire where you can have an aperitif or dine under the stars, being a place with a truly unique charm.