Best hotels in Tanzania

Fanjove Island lies 140km south of Dar es Salaam, in the Indian Ocean's Songo Songo Archipelago. A tropical paradise with the kind of bleached sand you dream of burying your toes in, the island is half a mile long and just a couple of hundred meters wide, surrounded by coral reef and turquoise waters. There's lots to see and do, when you're not chilling to the max. Getting here is half the fun: take a 20 minute flight in a small plane to Songo Songo Island, then ride a dhow (traditional Tanzanian fishing boat) or a speedboat for 5 miles to Fanjove. The lodge itself is simple; it's luxury is in its tranquility and exclusivity as a remote, private island hideaway.

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.

Set on a functioning coffee plantation in Karatu, just 5 km from Tanzania’s renowned Ngorongoro Crater, Ngorongoro Farm House offers rustic farm style living at its best. This gem of a spot is simply appointed with comfortable cottages and rooms, beautifully kept gardens with sprawling lawns, its own vegetable garden, and a large swimming pool. Although a fairly large camp, it is spread out over five hundred acres of farm, offering oodles of space and vast views of the Oldeani Volcano in the distance.

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.

Siwandu is an intimate camp in a stunning setting overlooking the waters of Lake Nzerakera in the northeastern sector of Nyerere National Park ('The Selous'). Although it has just 13 tented suites, Siwandu has been divided into two more intimately sized camps – North Camp and South Camp, each with its own facilities. You're guaranteed an exclusive stay, with top-notch accommodation and days spent exploring by boat, game drive and bush walk.

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.

A&K Sanctuary relocated and completely rebuilt its long-running camp, moving it onto an elevated hillside within the wider Ngorongoro Conservation Area and trading forest cover for sweeping views across the Serengeti plains, some 25 minutes from the crater descent road. The 10 tented suites are fresh with polished hardwood floors and a private deck. Interiors are almost entirely Tanzanian-made, down to the three-metre chandelier strung from painted jacaranda seed pods. Think of it as a showcase of East African craft with a caldera on the doorstep.