Best hotels in Tanzania

Designed in an elegant laid back beach style, Zawadi is relaxed luxury at its best, lying on one of the most coveted locations on the island of Zanzibar with breathtaking unrivalled views of the Indian Ocean stretching as far as the eye can see. At the center of the property the cliff recedes, creating a beautiful cove of pristine white sandy beach. Guests can enjoy swimming in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean throughout the day regardless of tides and can go snorkeling straight from the beach. With a relaxed atmosphere and understated elegant beach decor, it is a tranquil, laid back hideaway offering guests an all-inclusive stay with the very best cuisine and personalized service.

Set in a shaded grove, this fairly large lodge and tented camp combo offers affordable comfort a stone's throw from the impressive Tarangire National Park. Its simple layout and comfortable furniture create a welcoming warmth that is echoed by its friendly staff. Although the lodge’s decor is somewhat lacking in sophistication, it does possess a truly African feel and a homely atmosphere. With mesmerising lake views and the Tarangire National Park just 10 minutes away, over-the-top interiors aren't a necessary feature. The lodge also sits in the wildlife corridor between Lake Manyara and Tarangire so Migration season is a treat!

Romantic yet classic, cosy but perfectly stylish, Acacia Farm Lodge is an excellent addition to the Karatu Ngorongoro safari scene. Situated on a working coffee plantation, the beautifully manicured rows of green bushes create a relaxing oasis in the wilds of the Crater Highlands – the perfect respite at the end of a dusty African day. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy too, with mountain biking, nature walks and cultural visits all on offer. And with the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire all within 2 hour’s drive, northern Tanzania is, quite literally, on the doorstep.

Breezes lies along Bwejuu Beach, a pristine and untouched beach on the South East coast of Zanzibar island, which also happens to have been voted as one of the top 30 beaches in the world. With a dedicated water sports centre and a wonderfully relaxing spa, there really is something to keep everyone happy. Cultural trips to Stone Town are a wonderful way to experience the diversity that Zanzibar has to offer. Breezes is a family owned and run resort which has cleverly combined luxury with attention to detail.

A new mobile camp deep in the heart of northern Tanzania's Tarangire National Park, Nyikani is a very special place. Acacia woodlands surround it, and guests are immersed in the inspiring wide-open spaces where wildebeest, elephants, zebra and buffalo roam free, and those iconic 'upside-down' baobabs dot the landscape. The tents are well-spaced and roomy; the meals are good; and the manager and staff couldn't make you feel more welcome. Activities focus on daytime safaris (evening safaris are occasional rather than regular), hot-air ballooning (always a real eye-opener), walking safaris and game viewing from each tent's private veranda.

Set close to the mighty Mara River in the northern Serengeti, Sayari is perfectly positioned for access to the exclusive Lamai Wedge and has a front row seat to the Great Migration when it passes through from July to October. The camp is one of the larger tented camps in the area, but its layout and location ensures exclusivity and intimacy. Built on raised wooden platforms with rolling panoramic views, you’d be hard pressed to picture a more idyllic place from which to enjoy Africa, or indeed, the migration. And migration aside, it’s a winner for phenomenal, year-round wildlife.

Perched on the popular Matemwe beach, just opposite the magnificent Mnemba Island, a lush and leafy Zanzibarian hideaway called Sevi Hotel Zanzibar exists. About an hour from central Stone town, on the north-eastern side of the island, the scene is relaxed and rustic with local villages dotted along palm fringed beaches. Designed around an oasis of beautiful gardens, this boutique lodge is a low-key haven for those seeking to escape and unwind without distractions. Good food, welcoming service, and of course that view, are a few of the foundations that this lodge prides itself on.

This personalised, mobile tented camp focuses on an intimate encounter with one of Africa’s most impressive wilderness regions. Set in various locations across the Serengeti National Park (it won't move during your stay), total bush seclusion is guaranteed. A simple but authentic safari camp experience, focusing attention on the external environment. Known for its top notch guides, explore by vehicle and encounter the Great Migration, elephants, buffalo lion and cheetah, to name a few.

The Manor at Ngorongoro is located about an hour's drive away from the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater in northern Tanzania, and half an hour from Lake Manyara. Although only built in 2008, it's a perfect replication of the 18th and 19th century colonial-style mansions, typical of South Africa's Cape winelands, and there really is nothing like it in Tanzania. Instead of being surrounded by vineyards, The Manor is set amidst a beautiful, sprawling coffee estate and the most manicured of gardens, and offers a level of service, luxury and charm that's definitely hard to beat.

The Palms is a family-owned resort and with just 6 gorgeous villas, offering intimate luxury on the stunning East Coast of Zanzibar. Each villa has a private outdoor plunge pool and looks out across the beach to the beckoning Indian Ocean. The resort is excellently positioned for kite surfing and the Water Club on the beach is there to enable guests to try out a variety of water sports.

Named after Zanzibar's local moniker, Spice Island, the resort is a collection of over-the-water bars, thatched bungalows and a dazzling white coastline. Set in a tropical garden of fragrant shrubs and scarlet flamboyant trees, Spice Island Hotel isn't far from Jambiani Beach, a top spot for kitesurfing and snorkelling. Walk along the jetty to nose out a cocktail (you can even jump straight into the sea from the bar!) or relax with a book by the pool. Zip over to Zanzibar's Old Town for a taste of the island's history or simply soak up all the 'vitamin sea' you can.

Tanzania’s annual wildebeest migration swings through the southern Serengeti between December and March each year, following the rains and fresh grasses. This is where you’ll find Kati Kati – a seasonal tented camp in a prime spot for catching the peak of the migration. The camp follows the less-is-more approach, offering a dozen comfortable but rustic tents plus an interlinked family tent, good food, and an all-round authentic bush experience without unnecessary frills to detract from its wild and remote feel. We advise that, when booking, you enquire about guiding requirements as there are no permanent guides at this camp.

This luxurious camp is tucked away in the less-travelled corners of Tarangire National Park, where ancient baobabs stand sentinel over sweeping savannahs. Designed with an understated elegance that complements its stunning natural surroundings, the camp offers an intimate safari experience, far from the crowds. Expect daily elephant encounters, as the area is a favoured spot for these gentle giants. With breathtaking views, impeccable service, and a commitment to conservation, this is a sanctuary for those who seek both adventure and tranquillity in equal measure.