Best hotels in Tanzania

7500 feet above sea level, nestled on the verdant, misty slopes of the enchanting Crater Highlands region and just a stones throw from Karatu village, is Gibb’s Farm. Established in the 1920s as a coffee plantation, the farm now welcomes guests in pretty cottages dotted around the splendid gardens and there are plenty of activities on offer at the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. Today, the farm is a chic, country retreat that has home-grown luxury down to a 'T'; find flowers from the garden in the lounge, hearty organic produce at mealtimes and farm-fresh coffee delivered to your room every morning. Bliss.

Lake Manyara in northern Tanzanaia is most well known for its huge flocks of flamingos and its tree-climbing lions, but there's much more that makes it well worth a visit. There's an abundance of other wildlife too, including an impressive list of more than 400 bird species and a wildly varied landscape on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, from the mahogany and acacia forests and woodlands to the grass floodplains and the lake and its shore. The best way to visit this region is to stay at the stunningly opulent Tree Lodge in the national park where luxury is a way of life and true class elevates an experience of the wilderness around you to the next level.

Hidden away in lush montane forest with sensational views to Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro, the colour-filled gardens of this lush property are a true refuge. And yet, it's only 40 minutes away from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Accommodation is in cottages of varying sizes, their interiors furnished with homelike comfort and elegance. There's plenty to do at Rivertrees and lots to explore in the area, although you have to book early so as not to miss out.

Entamanu teeters on the north-west rim of one of the world's most iconic natural phenomena, Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater. Uniquely perched to exploit the beauty of both the southern Serengeti plains and the plummeting crater below, this lodge has dramatic views, literally, all around. The lodge is accessible by road from Arusha - even the drive is its own adventure, hugging the crater's contours. Breathtaking landscapes aside, this is one of the premier wildlife destinations in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site to boot. The area is home to the regal Maasai people, known for their rich history and hunting culture. Everywhere you look there's something utterly remarkable.

Privately owned &Beyond Mnemba Island is a real gem, laced with soft, white-sand beaches and surrounded by the sparkling turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. From the moment you land, time seems to stop and your senses are heightened – that's how far you are from city mayhem. With just 12 private beach bandas that somehow manage to combine rustic simplicity with utter luxury, you can be as active, or not, as you wish. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, take star-lit dinners on the beach and visit the dive centre to explore the coral reefs and their colourful fish.

Lake Manyara Green Camp lies on the tree-lined banks of the dry Endabash River in western Lake Manyara National Park. Cliffs rise behind the camp, with a pretty waterfall that tumbles onto boulders, forming small pools that are perfect for midday swims with great views of the lake. This rustic fly camp keeps it simple, with open-air dining and large pillows for lounging on the dry riverbed. But this is only half its charm. The location is one of the sanctuary's best for wildlife, so animals (especially elephants) visit frequently. Expect great service and thrilling encounters.

Towering imperiously over the rippling tea plantations of north-eastern Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is worthy of just about every superlative imaginable. The highest mountain in Africa, and the highest freestanding mountain in the world, it can actually be climbed without a great deal of technical know-how and is open to most people with a relative level of fitness. For the ultimate bucket list trip, scale the slopes of Kili before flying to the Serengeti or the beaches of Zanzibar for a dose of iconic Africa… and a very well-deserved reward!

In a hustling and very bustling city of 1.6 million people, Arusha Coffee Lodge is the perfect hideaway for a spot of pre or post safari rejuvenation. As the name suggests, coffee is a running theme and the lodge is nestled into the lush emerald bushes of Tanzania’s largest plantation in the foothills of Mt Meru and well-located for flight connections. Radiating warmth and charm, this is an elegant and relaxing stopover choice with a number of activities to keep you busy… and possibly the freshest cup of coffee you will ever taste.