Where to Stay on a Tanzanian Safari

During your safari, there are accommodation options to suit your budgets in Tanzania.

From slugging it out on the plains of the Serengeti in a public campsite to living the life of a king or queen, there’s something for all walks of life.

Camping

For those on a budget or with a zeal for adventure, you can plan and schedule camping safaris in all of the major parks in Tanzania.

Camping in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro

Conservation Area is particular popular options, and they’ll provide you with all of the camping equipment as well as a private chef to guarantee you’re eating well.

You’ll set up camp in a public area with a shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Camp out under the stars and have a different experience.

Budget Lodges

The budget lodges are rarely in the park boundaries, towns such as Arusha and Karatu provide a number of options for people on a tight or planned budget.

These budget lodges offer a safe and relaxed place to sleep without fancy frills.

Some of their most popular budget lodges are the McNally’s in Arusha and The Eileen’s Trees Inn in Karatu.

Tented Camps

For that unique and true Tanzania safari experience, you can’t overlook that traditional tented camp.

Seamlessly merging the comforts of a lodge with the vintage feel of camping, tented camps are an affordable way to live right at the heart of the action.

A tented camp comes with things such as private bathrooms with hot showers, relaxing double beds, and scrumptious food.

Our most popular tented camps include Sangaiwe in Tarangire, Kati Kati in the Central Serengeti, and Kenzan Tented Camp in the Northern Serengeti.

Standard Lodges

Offering something a bit more unique than you’ll find in budget lodges, standard lodges offer a memorable night’s stay without breaking the bank.

Usually located on the fringes of the park, they offer a quick way to enter and exit the park without having to pay park fees.

Popular standard lodge options include Country Lodge in Karatu, Moivaro in Arusha, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge, and Sopa Serengeti.

Luxury Lodges

For those wanting something truly memorable from their safari, it’s hard to look past some of Tanzania’s luxury lodges.

From affordable luxury properties such as Serena to exclusive properties like the Four Seasons Safari Lodge or &beyond Crater Lodge, there are luxury lodges for all walks of life.

Luxury Tented Camps

Similar to a tented camp, a luxury tented camp has all of the trimmings you’d expect in a luxury lodge but with the added charm of being closer to nature.

From the affordable luxury of Angata to more extravagant properties such as Lemala and Mbuzi Mawe, a luxury tented camp is a fantastic way to make your stay in Tanzania a memorable one.

What activities can you include in a Tanzanian Safari?

There is more to a safari in Tanzania than just game drives. While there are few things that can match the thrill of driving across the open plains and spotting your favourite African wildlife, there are a number of ways to take a break from the car.

Canoe Safaris

Trading the car for a canoe out under the open air can be a great way to see Tanzania from a unique perspective.

Available in Lake Manyara National Park and Arusha National Park (when water level allows), a canoe safari gets you up close and personal with hippos, buffalo, and a huge variety of bird life.

Walking Safaris

The image of walking out on the open plains of the Serengeti is a nice one, but walking safaris are only possible in a few select locations in Tanzania.

With large predators and large herbivores being unpredictable and potentially dangerous, it is rarely safe to walk in Tanzania’s national parks.

However, it is possible to take guided walks in Arusha National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (but not Ngorongoro Crater), and on the properties of certain camps and lodges within the parks.

Cycling

While cycling is not allowed within Tanzania’s national parks, there are a number of places in Tanzania where you can supplement your game driving with some fascinating cycling tours.

The most popular of these tend to be near Lake Manyara National Park and in the villages surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro.

Cultural Tours

Experiencing some of Tanzania’s unique tribal culture is a great way to add something distinct to your Tanzania safari tours .

There are a number of ways you can include a cultural tour in your safari in Tanzania.

Maasai

The most famous of Africa’s tribes, the Maasai are a common sight when driving between Tanzania’s national parks.

While it is possible to pay for a photo with a Maasai child or warrior at the entrance to some national parks, a better way to experience.

Maasai culture would be to arrange a visit to a Maasai village or spend a night at the Africa Amini Maasai Lodge.

Hadzabe & Datoga

The Hadzabe hunter-gatherers are one of the most fascinating cultures in Tanzania and many of our safari itineraries include a visit to Lake Eyasi to learn more about their culture.

The nearby Datoga Tribe are also a unique element in Tanzania’s cultural tapestry.

Chaga

While not as famous as the Hadzabe or Maasai, the Chaga tribe from the Kilimanjaro foothills have an intriguing history all of their own.

A tour of Marangu town can include a visit to the Chaga Cultural Museum and the Chaga tunnels where Chaga Warriors used to elude Maasai raiding parties.

Night Game Drives

Night game drives are not usually permitted within Tanzania’s national parks, but it is possible to include a night game drive when overnighting at Lake Manyara National Park.

While night game drives present the opportunity to see nocturnal animals and predators on the hunt, the darkness does make it difficult to spot things.

Hot Air Balloon Safari

Without a doubt, the most memorable safari addition you could choose,

Soaring above the Serengeti at dawn is an unforgettable experience and it’s all capped off with a delicious champagne breakfast in the heart of the wilderness.