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.