When you think of luxury African safaris, Tanzania deserves to be up there. With more than a third of the country protected, as well as being home to the continent’s highest mountain, its greatest migration and share of its two biggest lakes (Victoria and Tanganyika), Tanzania has a lot going for it – especially in the luxury safari lodge department. While the term 'luxury' can be defined in myriad ways - you may consider it to be opulent gold taps and marble bathrooms or small, thoughtful touches and impeccable service - the array of safari lodges in Tanzania means there's very much something for everyone. So, without further ado, here are our top five luxury safari lodges in Tanzania.
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge would definitely fit into the opulent school of luxury thought. Perched on the crater rim, this luxury lodge has more than its fair share of awe-inspiring views of the eastern boundary of the Serengeti. But we love it for more than that. Each of its 30 romantic Masaai-inspired suites sits on stilts at the edge of the crater. They make the most of their position with floor-to-ceiling windows but remain almost invisible from the crater floor. Interiors are utterly glamorous, with chandelier-lit bathtubs, gilt mirrors, fireplaces in every suite and Persian carpets. Come for the lodge’s seamless synergy of decadence and intimacy and stay for bush picnics, safaris, fine wines and Big Five viewings.
Chem Chem
Chem Chem Safaris made our list of top safari lodges in Tanzania for their ‘Slow Safari’ concept. Championing the idea of going beyond the confines of a 4x4, its lodges and camps (Chem Chem Lodge, Little Chem Chem and Forest Chem Chem) invite guests to experience culture on foot, walking with the Maasai, tracking giraffes and savouring sundowners on the edge of Lake Manyara. We love these lodges for their location (between the lesser-known Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks) across an impressive 55,000 acres, and for their signature experiences. Where else can you wade – slowly – towards flamingos on Lake Manyara in the morning, listen to the mesmerising sounds of Maasai music and choir after lunch and be pampered into sunset at the on-site spa?
Lamai Serengeti Camp
Lamai gets our seal of approval, not just for its enviable views over the Serengeti from its kopje (small hill in a flat area) but for its elegant décor and modern comforts. A true home from home, you’ll be in for a treat with its three-course meals, sparkling pool, library and a plethora of soft furnishings. Between July and October, the lodge becomes a hive of activity as the Great Migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest pass through, confronting fast-flowing rivers and crocodile infested waters. Even if you visit out of wildebeest season, you’ll still be treated to plenty of game viewing; exhilarating safari drives and walks with knowledgeable guides to scout out the Big Five.
Serian Serengeti
Serian Serengeti is a seasonal luxury safari camp that follows the Great Migration. This means the entire structure is broken down and moved to where the wildebeest choose as their route. While this is very much the aim, it cannot be guaranteed. Because the migration movements depend entirely on the rains, emphasis is placed on flexibility. You can spend all day out in the desert if you want to, enjoying private guides and marvelling at their Hawk-like ability to spot racing wildebeest. If you aren’t fortunate enough to see them, don’t worry. The camp’s movement on the southernmost extreme of the Serengeti’s short grass plains means you always see something – maybe a baby zebra or resident pack of wild dogs – which is what makes this camp so special, and one of our favourite safari lodges in Tanzania.
Sand Rivers Selous
Serian Serengeti is a seasonal luxury safari camp that follows the Great Migration. This means the entire structure is broken down and moved to where the wildebeest choose as their route. While this is very much the aim, it cannot be guaranteed. Because the migration movements depend entirely on the rains, emphasis is placed on flexibility. You can spend all day out in the desert if you want to, enjoying private guides and marvelling at their Hawk-like ability to spot racing wildebeest. If you aren’t fortunate enough to see them, don’t worry. The camp’s movement on the southernmost extreme of the Serengeti’s short grass plains means you always see something – maybe a baby zebra or resident pack of wild dogs – which is what makes this camp so special, and one of our favourite safari lodges in Tanzania.