Top 7 Luxury Safari Lodges In Tanzania
As one of Africa's premium destinations, Tanzania, promises unparalleled, abundant wildlife, snow-capped mountains, white-sandy beaches, and endless plains of the savannas. The rich and famous, who can choose to vacation anywhere in the world, among them Lupita Nyong'o, Stephen Curry, former US President Barack Obama and David Beckham, have chosen Tanzania as a favorite vacation getaway.
Famous for its world-class safaris and game drives, Tanzania's tourism industry has steadily increased over the last decades. It is now a much more accessible location for travelers worldwide, with most flights flying into Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro International Airport or Zanzibar.
Tanzanian offers hotels, resorts, camps and lodges to fit every budget. But for those who wish to indulge in world-class luxury and facilities, Tanzania can exceed your expectations in accommodations, too.
So, to help guide you in selecting the most luxurious, comfortable, atmospheric, or special location for your stay, we have curated the top 7 unique luxury safari lodges in Tanzania.
Original Maasai Lodge
A favorite of travelers seeking a more immersive experience of the land and local culture, the Original Maasai Lodge offers a unique experience in the middle of a pristine landscape. Built in the style of a traditional Maasai boma, with 16 different earthen suites on the property, guests can watch in awe as the sun rises over Mount Kilimanjaro and sets behind Mount Meru. Powered by solar energy, each hut offers modern amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. Original Maasai Lodge provides a beautiful, rustic, yet comfortable mix of relaxation and adventure.
Indulge in traditional Swahili dishes with the freshest ingredients in the lodge's restaurant. Guests have the option to join campfire gatherings with storytelling, donkey rides (for children), dancing and/or spear-throwing with the Maasai, as well as guided nature walks. Visitors to the lodge will learn first hand of the customs and traditions of the Maasai, and enjoy a truly remarkable and unique experience out in the African steppe.
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge will make you believe in magic all over again. Built on the rim of Ngorongoro's ancient caldera, the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is a whirl of romance, luxury, and the astounding beauty of the crater below. The crater itself is a natural treasure, home to many species of protected wildlife, from giant tusked elephants and black rhinos to a score of lion prides. Imagine waking up to an awe-inspiring view of the largest intact caldera in the world from the most luxurious of settings.
Divided into three different camps, The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge comprises a total of 30 suites, each decorated in fine Victorian-era furnishings and teak paneling, yet distinctively African with a banana-leaf ceiling and thatched rooftop. Each suite includes private dining and sitting areas, with its own butler and room service around the clock.
As the mists swirl in and out of the crater, visitors enter a timeless world, treated to ancient Africa's exotic sights and sounds.
Lake Natron Camp
At the foot of Ol Doinyo Lengai, the “Mountain of God”, Lake Natron Camp is located in an astonishingly beautiful, otherworldly place. Although Lake Natron is not a place to go for traditional game drives, visitors can enjoy a variety of wildlife sightings here, with the area being the largest breeding ground for Lesser Flamingo.
A visit to Lake Natron Camp will be nothing short of an adventure. Cool off in the natural springs close by or climb through a gorge to take a dip in the Ngare Sero Waterfall. For those that are looking for trekking opportunities, the Great Rift Valley trek is one of the most dramatic hikes in East Africa. As well as the amazing scenery, there is also the chance to witness the changing lives of the Maasai in both Ngorongoro and Natron. If you would like to learn more about our ancestors, walk to the ancient hominid footprints, just a few minutes from camp!
The camp offers ten spacious guest tents, each under a netting shade. The facilities for each room include an en-suite bathroom with an eco toilet and showering area, a porch area, and the main bedroom area. And each suite has its own private path to the natural pools, offering guests a welcome touch of privacy.
The Highlands
If you want to stay close to nature, another place to lodge in is The Highlands. Situated along the edge of the Olmoti Volcano in the Ngorongoro Crater Area (NCA), The Highlands comprises eight glass domes and suites, offering a variety of activities. Enjoy game drives to spot the Big 5, hike the Olmoti, or visit the soda lake in the Empakaai Crater to see flocks of flamingos.
Equipped with luxurious amenities, your dome will include an en-suite bathroom with hot water showers, an in-room locker, and an in-room wood-burning stove. From the balcony of your suite, you will be able to enjoy the view of the expansive grassy plains, marshlands, and mountain landscapes. This panoramic view, and the sight of the beautiful star-filled night sky, are heaven on display.
Greystoke Mahale
Greystoke Mahale is the best place to be if you have ever dreamed of seeing chimpanzees up close. This remote, off-the-grid, jungle-based lodge is one of the most unique ones around, with only 6 thatched bandas. On the shore of Lake Tanganyika, Greystoke Mahale lies at the foot of the Mahale mountains, home to a thriving population of chimpanzees. While there are certainly many things to do at Greystoke Mahale, trekking to meet the chimpanzees is by far the most popular attraction.
The camp offers a white sandy beach for sunbathing and relaxing strolls. Or cruise along Lake Tanganyika, the longest lake in the world, on a traditional wooden dhow (boat) looking for hippos and crocodiles. At Greystoke Mahale, guests stay in comfort amid nature and our fascinating cousins - the chimpanzees!
Singita Sasakwa Lodge
Singita Sasakwa Lodge (the place of miracles) conveys a sense of history and grandeur, captured in a luxuriously appointed time capsule. Located on Sasakwa Hill, the lodge provides guests with an expansive view of the Grumeti Game Reserve, the Serengeti National Park and its plains stretching into the distance.
The lodge's grand entrance hall directs visitors to outside cottages and hillside suites where each guest enjoys their own private plunge pool. At Singita Sasakwa Lodge, simply enjoying an afternoon tea or a fine dining experience of authentic local cuisine in such a gorgeous setting will be one of your standout memories.
Experience the dramatic landscapes of Africa amid the romantic decor of the lodge: its beautiful furnishings, traditional Venetian mirrors, and silver candelabras.
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Have you ever imagined sleeping nestled in a tree out in the African wilderness? If so, visiting Lake Manyara Tree Lodge will be a dream come true. Cradled in an ancient mahogany forest, the Lake Manyara Tree Lodge offers nine tree houses on stilts, built of local timber and covered leaves. Guests enjoy an incredibly peaceful and private stay in the forest. The lodge offers private candlelit dinners in an open-air atmosphere or an afternoon in the interactive kitchen, learning about the local cuisine. Other facilities like the swimming pool and wellness center are also there for you to use during your stay.
Enjoy Lake Manyara and take in the breathtaking African sunrises and sunsets. Watch the flamingoes spreading their beautiful wings in shades of pink. Waking up to the sounds of the forest, tranquil and secluded, is an experience of a lifetime, not easily duplicated anywhere else.
Wrapping up
Enjoying the wild beauty of Tanzania, the game drives, mountain treks, and nature walks will be an experience that will leave you awestruck and enriched. And being able to return to lodgings uniquely African, of comfort, attended to with care, can only elevate your already delightful experience.
Related Reads:
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Tanzania Culture, Traditions And Customs: What You Need To Know
10 Things to Know Before Going on a Safari in Tanzania