Best hotels in Tanzania

This intimate permanent tented camp is ideally positioned to catch the best of the Serengeti action along the Mara River, yet delightfully tucked away from the throngs of visitors. Set in the remote area around Kogatende, in the park's northern section, Nimali Mara sits on a small rise, tucked between boulders and a dappled forest. Expect elegance that in no way interferes with the raw beauty of the bush, and service and guiding so good that this could well be be your one-stop shop for exploring what's often regarded as one of the world's most magnificent wildlife-viewing destinations.

Closed for refurbishment - reopening 2027

Voted one of the top 10 hotels on the planet, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is undoubtedly one of the most opulent lodges in Africa. And yet, while no expense has been spared to ensure your every need is catered for, the main attraction is the lodge's setting – on the rim of the famous and archaeologically significant Ngorongoro Crater. Both lodge and crater lie at the heart of an 8,300-square-kilometre conservation area that is home to an astonishing selection of wildlife, including hippo, antelope, buffalo, black rhino, one of the highest carnivore densities in the world and plentiful bird species.

Baraza Resort and Spa offers stunning facilities for guests to enjoy a range of watersports, a comprehensive spa with a lap pool and tennis court, cooking classes, cultural excursions and all on the most stunning stretch or Zanzibarian beach. Baraza showcases a fusion of Arabic, Swahili and Indian designs and rooms are adorned with beautiful antiques, handmade furniture and intricate brass lanterns. A gorgeous coral reef stretches along the coast, providing safe waters for swimming, snorkelling or kite surfing. This reef also ensures the finest powder white sand beach.

Although it is a newly-minted addition to Tanzania's Tarangire National Park, Honeyguide Tarangire Camp has the feel of an old yet luxury classic. The tented camp is owned by safari giants who have intimate, well-honed knowledge of the industry. Everything about the camp has been chosen with care, from the expert guides to the sensational menu to the plush mattresses. Set in a grove of umbrella thorns with views of the vast savanna, it enjoys an ideal vantage in the wilderness. Is it too soon to say it? Honeyguide has all the makings of a legendary camp...

Four Points Sheraton sits in a historic section of Tanzania's northernmost major city, the eponymous Arusha. The hotel itself is said to have been built in 1894 and, although it has since been renovated, it retains some of lovely relics of the past, like colonial facades, broad undercover breezeways, and a mature garden. Expect top-notch hospitality with all the mod cons, alongside somewhat dated but nevertheless clean and comfortable furnishings. Four Points is the perfect stopover treat before and after a challenging ascent of Africa's tallest mountain, just 90 kilometres away.

The Kilindi Zanzibar resort consists of fifteen Eastern-styled, white-domed Pavilion guest rooms and a main pavilion set in 50 acres of lush tropical gardens on a secluded powder-white sand beachfront. It was originally designed for Benny Andersson - from the Swedish pop group ABBA - and achieves a perfect balance between Scandinavian minimalism and Middle Eastern architecture whilst encouraging an intimate, 'back-to-nature' appeal. The pavilions have private butlers, plunge pools and rainfall showers while the service and the food is excellent. This is the perfect intimate retreat that will make you feel at one with nature.

This mobile tented camp in the heart of Tanzania's Tarangire National Park is surrounded by true wilderness, otherworldly baobabs and a richness of wildlife. It's also elephant country, and the dry months between June and December see the pachyderms lumbering in their hundreds with the rest of the animals down to the Tarangire River, which at that time becomes the park's only large source of water. Also known as Ndovu Camp, Nasikia Tarangire is comfortable and stylish, with just six tents. It's an ideal destination to round off your overland safari through this region, especially if you're crazy about elephants.

Mafia Island Lodge is a rustic beach resort on the jewel-like Mafia Island, off the north coast of Tanzania. The island falls within a protected marine reserve, with the Rufiji River Delta to the west, in a spectacular Indian Ocean setting renowned for fantastic scuba diving and deep-sea fishing. Accommodation is comfortable and charmingly simple, with a number of thatched bungalow-style rooms beneath coconut palms, overlooking a wide stretch of golden beach. It has a friendly feel and much slower pace of life than many of the larger tourist destinations; a great choice for a carefree beach getaway.

Northern Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world's most vital wildlife areas. The floor of this ancient caldera – the result of a volcano that erupted and collapsed in on itself two to three million years ago – is a lush, mineral-rich habitat that supports a profusion of wildlife. The game is contained within the crater walls, in an area of 100 square miles (260 square kilometres), so thrilling sightings are common. Ngorongoro Crater Camp, an A&K Sanctuary is well positioned in a lush belt of indigenous forest on the northern rim of the crater, within easy access of the action.

In the far southwest corner of Tarangire National Park, under a canopy of umbrella-shaped acacia trees strewn along the edge of the Gursi Swamp, is Swala Camp, an A&K Sanctuary. And what a camp it is. The 12 beautifully furnished tents are really rather glamorous and the setting is idyllically peaceful, but it’s the nearby waterhole that really bowls you over. Here, families of plodding elephant stop to drink whilst lion keep a lazy eye on the clusters of skittering antelope. And with all the action so close-by, we wouldn’t blame you for perhaps missing a game drive or two…