Best Camps & Lodges in Tanzania's Wilderness

Nomad Greystoke Mahale offers the ultimate luxury experience, set in the remote wilderness of Western Tanzania. Greystoke Mahale is a unique, high-end camp that sits on a white-sand beach overlooking Lake Tanganyika's clear waters inside the remote Mahale Mountains National Park. The lodge is named after the legend of Tarzan and much of the experience here revolves around life in the forest, particularly chimpanzee tracking. With its charismatic Robinson Crusoe atmosphere, Greystoke Mahale radiates an undeniable air of romance and adventure. It is located at the foot of the densely forested Mahale Mountains, home to a thriving population of chimpanzees. The six rooms at Greystoke are entirely in keeping with the setting. Built of thatch and salvaged dhow wood, each of the open-fronted rooms is tucked into the treeline, almost invisible to the passing fishermen in their small canoes. A dressing area leads to an ensuite bathroom with running water and a flush loo. The rich foliage that gives the camp such character can be enjoyed while you are showering in privacy. The rooms all have verandas and an upstairs chill-out lounge with views across the white sand to the vastness of Lake Tanganyika. A ROMANTIC RETREAT SPRAWLED ALONG THE SHORES OF LAKE TANGANYIKA read more read less

Gibbs Farm is located in the Ngorongoro Karatu area of northern Tanzania, one of the most wildlife-rich areas in the country and about an hour from the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set on a beautiful historic coffee estate in the Ngorongoro Karatu area, Gibb's Farm is the original and best accommodation in the area, a genuinely charming boutique hotel, with guest accommodation in 19 rooms and providing access to a good range of cultural and safari activities. Elephants often wander over from the crater to take a sip from the farm’s water reservoir. Gibb’s Farm has been around for quite some time, starting as a coffee plantation, it has now been transformed into one of the country’s best Eco-Resorts. The farm is a relatively large establishment consisting of 17 cottages and about 20 hectares of farmland and magnificent gardens. There is a ‘no tin can’ policy, so all drinks are served from recyclable glass bottles. This is also a working farm where visitors are encouraged to experience life on a farm from observing cows being milked, to bread making, coffee roasting and veggies being harvested, as well as visits to a nearby village or guided walks in the lush surrounding forest. Guests at Gibb’s can also visit ‘Fundiland’ to observe carpenters making the furniture for their rooms, tailors crafting leather items and paper products being made from the farm’s waste paper and elephant dung!   read more read less

The Manor is a luxury lodge located on the Shangri-La Coffee Estate, covering 1,500 acres reminiscent of a Country Farm and boasting quaint Cape Dutch-style architecture. This is a luxurious base for exploring the Ngorongoro Crater, and perhaps Lake Manyara – with one suite of rooms which is particularly family-friendly. The feel brings you back to a bygone era of elegance and splendour yet mixing it with the traditional East African safari experience. All of the 20 guest cottages have breathtaking views of the estate and are secluded to offer you all the privacy you would want. Each cottage has ensuite bathrooms with claw foot baths and a rain shower. The indoor and outdoor fireplaces are very welcomed in the cooler months of the year. The main Manor House has a lounge and bar area with access to outdoor decks and fire pits. Meals are sumptuous affairs to be savoured in the formal dining room, the dining conservatory or privately in the guest cottages. African-inspired fare is complemented by a selection of Fine Wine from the manor’s own cellar. Harking back in time to a grander age, the ten luxurious family-friendly cottages blend East African hospitality with Colonial European architecture and décor. Intimate and private  Most visitors will probably use this as a place to eat and sleep – while driving into the Ngorongoro Crater during the day for their main activity. The mix of natural tones, classic furniture, polished wooden floors and traditional architecture – not to mention touches like the butler service per five guests, complimentary sherry in every room and a bubble bath awaiting you on your return from the crater – results in a smart colonial style that works perfectly well. The Manor at Ngorongoro provides the perfect environment to relax and take in the outstanding natural beauty of its gardens and the coffee-bush-laden hills. However, the drama that is Africa is but a short distance away. Ngorongoro Crater is famed as being the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’, and is a ‘must see’ on anyone’s itinerary. This extinct volcano - with its 18-kilometre-wide crater floor - is home to an abundant and unique ecosystem that encompasses almost all of the wildlife that you would wish to see in Africa. This spectacular setting is a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity to experience the rawness and beauty of Africa’s natural flora and fauna. read more read less

If you were to visit only one place in the Serengeti, it ought be here. This is no idle boast; the iconic Kogakuria kopje in northern Serengeti is a prime site and Lamai Serengeti sits tucked amongst the rocks with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Beautifully designed open-fronted rooms, a spacious lounge and clear pool provide an ideal place to escape to for some relaxation in between your wildlife adventures, for both families, groups and couples. The area boasts year-round fantastic game viewing, including the Big 5, and between July and November, the wildebeest migration moves through, crossing the Mara River in dramatic fashion just 20mins from the lodge read more read less

Namiri Plains is a simple and exclusive camp that offers nothing less than a fabulous wildlife experience and lovely and tasteful accommodations. Eight safari tents (one of which is for honeymooners and one for families) face out onto the open plains of the Serengeti, ever so slightly interrupted by small rock formations and kopjes. The tents are extremely comfortable, and we love how the tent flaps open to provide nearly 360-degree views of the plains. Namiri Plains is in the once closed Eastern part of the Serengeti. For many years this area of the Serengeti was closed to the public for Cheetah conservation. As a result, the area has an incredibly high population of both Cheetah and Lion with interactions, kills and sightings occurring daily or hourly. The area where Namiri Plains is located is called Soit Le Motonyi and has historically been a very important breeding area for Cheetahs. Having been closed to the public for so long the project has been very successful and the densities of big cats are amazing. Prides of lions are large, sightings plentiful and Cheetah perched on termite hills are around almost every corner. Despite the natural competition between big cats, there is also a very healthy population of leopards and once again sightings are good and plentiful. Game drives track cheetahs across the plains, or spy out lions basking atop granite kopjes, while walking safaris allow for a closer connection to the wilderness and the opportunity to observe the details unseen from a vehicle. In camp, relax around the pool whilst keeping an eye open for game approaching a natural spring across the plains, or schedule a massage to take your relaxation one step further. The information centre tracks the fascinating development of this habitat, providing insight into both the landscape and wildlife of Namiri Plains. read more read less

Little Chem Chem – also known as “sunrise camp” - offers the raw drama of the East African bush in a very private setting. It offers an authentic vintage safari in an elegant, supremely comfortable tented camp, accommodating a maximum of 14 guests in a game-rich location. Little Chem Chem is all about getting as close to nature as possible, without sacrificing comfort. This intimate camp offers six elegantly decorated vintage tents, each with a large bedroom (three have king-size beds, two offer twin beds), and 1 larger Family Tent. Each is complete with a rocking chair and study desk, a vanity area with dressing room and an en suite bathroom with a shower and flushing toilet. Embrace the ‘Out-of-Africa’ atmosphere and listen as the sounds of an African night come to life all around to you. The camp is solar powered and unfenced allowing for game to move freely through the area which features a main tent complete with a lounge, viewing areas and magnificent dining. read more read less

Mwiba River Lodge is the latest luxury lodge to take Tanzania by storm and this amazing property not only has a stunning riverside location, but also boasts 51,000 acres of wildlife reserve which is completely private and just for you. The game here is excellent all year round due to 33 freshwater springs which are situated on the property. Every room and mess area is designed to maximize beautiful views. Mwiba is close to the Ngorongoron Crater which makes it the ideal Serengeti choice for those that don’t want to travel for many hours in vehicles or on planes. read more read less

Set on a small peninsula overlooking the water, Roho ya Selous sits in the very heart of the Selous Game Reserve. Explore this vast wilderness, home to one of Africa’s largest populations of wild dog, with our expert safari guides. The real magic of the Selous lies in the variety each day on safari brings. Whether you’re exploring on a game drive in search of leopard lurking in the shady boughs of a fig tree, or out on foot tracking wildlife that’s ventured close to camp during the night, this reserve is full of surprises. With just eight canvas tented rooms, each with air-cooling systems over your bed to ensure a peaceful night’s sleep in the hotter months, Roho ya Selous strikes the perfect balance between comfort and adventure. read more read less

Singita Sasakwa Lodge is built in the style of a stately Edwardian manor house with nine private cottages, each with its own infinity pool. From the vantage point of Sasakwa Hill, panoramic views of the Serengeti plains merge with the horizon and provide a sense of immense space and freedom. The spacious cottages offer expansive en-suite bathrooms, dressing areas, four-poster beds, fireplaces, living rooms and French doors opening onto welcoming verandas. Polished parquet floors, vintage collectables, Persian carpets and comfortable furnishings all add to Sasakwa’s unmistakable elegance, while contemporary interpretations of classic dishes underpin the culinary offerings in the grand dining room. read more read less