79 Best Hotels in Tanzania

Situated on the banks of a Grumeti River tributary, in the western corridor of the Serengeti Grumeti, is a hospitable, delightful lodge that seamlessly mixes rustic safari tents with easy sophistication. Seemingly floating in the distance, rooms are spacious and well appointed with a large bed, indoor shower with a view, and a private plunge pool. The service is flawless with a butler assigned to each room. There's an abundance of birdlife and game, especially when the migration passes through. As you settle in for the evening you'll hear the resident hippos munching outside the tents and grunting to one another.

Built on the crest of the Kuka Hills with 360-degree panoramic views over the Grumeti River valley, this lovely intimate camp prides itself on good service and quality game-viewing along the river. As it lies just outside the national park on a private conservancy leased from the local Ololosokwan community, you can go on unrestricted game drives and three-hour bush walks—night drives are particularly thrilling. A visit with your Maasai guide to his village will be another highlight. Stone and thatch cottages have en suite bathrooms and a private verandah with great views. The beautifully decorated eclectic vintage-style dining and lounge area boasts exceptional views that some would argue are the best around.

For the ultimate beach escape where time stands still, where sand, sea, and horizon melt into each other, where there's exclusivity, total relaxation, and impeccable food and service, it would be hard to find anywhere in the world as alluring as Mnemba Island Lodge. You'll be transported from Zanzibar by 4x4 and speedboat to a deluxe, Swiss Family Robinson–style beach house—one of only 11 on the island—hidden between strips of coastal forest and the turquoise sea. Delicate coconut matting covers the walls and floors of your bedroom, dressing room, en suite bathroom, and covered veranda, which is furnished with handmade Zanzibari furniture and crisp white cotton linens. A feature of this superlative lodge is its imaginative use of recycled glass—check out the blue glass bead shower curtain, your soap dish, your champagne flute. Try to spot the rare Suni antelope, one of the tiniest in the world, scampering past your suite or while you're sipping sundowners on the beach under your private canopy.

This former teahouse is now an intimate hotel with a whole lot of character and great service. The steep ornate wooden staircase takes you to the guest rooms which have high ceilings, thick walls, and small windows that keep out the heat. The carved wooden four-poster beds are draped in mosquito netting, adding a sense of relaxation, and each room has an en suite bathroom with carved motifs and some with sunken tubs. There's a beautiful restaurant downstairs; its comfortable seating is a good place to escape the pace of the town. The pool is actually located at the DoubleTree Hilton, about 200 meters (656 feet) from the hotel.

If you are in Mafia to dive but also are watching the wallet then Big Blue is a great option, with a selection of affordable tents and bungalows. Coupled with a dive package, this is your best option for saving money but still enjoying the diving. Tents are cozy and simple, under a thatch shading with single or twin beds, a fan, and power socket. The more structured reed wall bungalows come with wooden beds, mosquito nets, en suite bathroom, and an air-conditioner. There is a pleasant social area with a restaurant and bar area that faces a small garden. The beach has a few sunshades and locally made loungers.

As a budget-friendly option either at the start or end of your safari, the Bougainvillea, halfway between Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara, is a great option. Run by a former local chef and his partner, there are not many frills and some of the decor is a touch on the odd side, but Bougainvillea has created a wonderful comfortable space with deep community connections. Each quaint cottage comes with mosquito nets, twin or king beds, and charming stone fireplaces or verandas looking inward to the lodge and gardens. The leafy grounds are kept tidy, and the delightful staff makes the lodge a welcoming place.

Butiama Group runs three types of properties across Mafia Island including Bustani, an intimate 10-room lodge on a hillside with a large pool and gardens outside of the marine park; the Beach Lodge with 13 well-appointed, colorful bungalows that have wide outdoor verandas; and Marine Camp, which has a few basic bungalows and tents for the budget traveler. It may not have the overly romantic aesthetic of other resorts, but at low tide it has one of the best, most extensive beaches on the island, perfect for sunny strolls.

When it comes to seafront views at a price that won't break the bank, the Coral Beach Hotel is the place to head. With sweeping views out over the bay and simple, yet tastefully decorated rooms, the hotel has all the modern amenities you would need for a great stay in the city. A popular waterfront patio restaurant serves up tasty and hearty lunches and dinners; expect some lively entertainment on the weekends at the bar area.

A towering feature of the cityscape for many years, the Serena stands in the center of Dar es Salaam with all the amenities one would expect from a luxury hotel, including a business center, a variety of restaurants, a large pool with outside gazebo bar, and a rather spectacular Arabic-style fitness center with sauna and steam rooms. If you're looking for some expensive, but tasty, seafood like chili crab and grilled prawns, then the high-end, on-site Jahazi Restaurant is the place to go. And even though it's a favorite spot for business travelers, there is still an air of old-world grandeur in the spacious grounds. 

A rare camp run entirely by women, Dunia Camp makes the most of its prime position alongside the Moru Kopjes which overlooks the lower grasslands in prime lion territory. Set into the Acacia Woodland, the permanent tented structures have an observation and lounge deck, king-sized beds, and soft neutral furnishings. Bathrooms are more traditional with actual showers and a separate toilet---no bucket showers here. The main lodge area stretches out to make the most of the views of the plains while also providing numerous private lounging spaces so guests don't feel too cramped. 

Located right in the center of the maze of alleyways that make up Stone Town, this historic building has been converted into a hotel with wonderfully whimsical rooms, each with a different theme. Each room is massive, and most have balconies with views out onto the town. Traditional Swahili furniture, stained glass window detailing, ornate drapes, and high mosquito-draped four-poster beds (that you need a step to climb into) complete the romantic Zanzibari feel. There's a downstairs café and an excellent rooftop restaurant. Note that taxis can't drive right up to the hotel, so get your driver to walk the final stage with you.

Bang in the middle of town, opposite the clock tower, this historic hotel was built in 1894. It retains a colonial feel, with spacious and elegantly decorated rooms and lovely gardens running down to the Themi River. A popular meeting point for all the well-to-do's and business elite of Arusha, the expansive poolside area and lobby are often buzzing with people. Guests can store luggage if they arrive overloaded before their safari. 

With the feel of an English country house, this working organic coffee farm sits midway between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. The 1929 farmhouse has managed to retain its old-fashioned genteel nature with a wide veranda, intimate lounges, inviting reading nooks, and a bar and dining room that look much as they must have done almost 100 years ago. Intimate, luxurious guest cottages with en suite bathrooms are scattered throughout the gardens and provide a perfect base to explore the crater and Lake Manyara National Park, as well as a perfect respite from exhilarating game drives. Expect excellent coffee and home-cooked food served with organic veggies and fruit from the farm's own gardens by friendly management dedicated to sustaining the land and supporting the nearby communities.

Located in the Slipway, a shopping-and-leisure complex in a converted boatyard, this hotel of the same name is a great place for an overnight or home base in Dar. The large, modern block rises three stories above the shopping complex providing views of Msasani Bay. The simple, but comfortable rooms—a welcome respite from the craziness of the city in calming shades of blue and white—have balconies, free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, and air-conditioning. The complex has some great restaurants, a small mini market and curio shops for souvenir shopping.

Set in a forest of baobabs and sausage trees along the Ifaguru sand river, Kigelia has a prime location in Ruaha. This camp has a peaceful, relaxed atmosphere. The tents, are spacious, cool, and inviting. Every tent is furnished with unique, locally crafted furniture and has en suite bathrooms with flush toilets and outdoor safari-style bucket showers under the stars. This is a perfect place to sit in the tranquility and shade of a sausage tree and relax, quietly watching the passing wildlife. A very friendly staff and good service are the mark of this welcoming camp. The game in this area during the dry months is exceptional.

On a hill overlooking the lake about 2 km (1 mile) from Kigoma's town center, this hotel makes an ideal base for your chimpanzee trekking. You'll stay in a comfortable cottage with a/c, a mini-refrigerator, satellite TV, and an en suite bathroom. What puts the hotel above any other in the area is the spectacular Sangara Restaurant built out on the cliffs overlooking the lake. There are business services and a large pool.

No alcohol is sold on-site, but you can buy your own in town and store it in the in-room mini-refrigerator.

This intimate camp is set among indigenous bush high on the escarpment and will make you feel much closer to Africa than some of the bigger lodges. Spacious thatch-roof tents, each with its own veranda, are built on wooden platforms with great views overlooking Lake Manyara. Gaily decorated with animal-motif furnishings, woven straw mats, and carved bedside lamps, all tents have an en suite bathroom with flush toilet and ceramic hand basins. Larger family tents are also available. The camp is an ideal base for game drives in the park, mountain biking, hiking, and bird-watching and a highlight is their hike down to the waterfalls below the ridge, but you need to be quite fit for this. After an action-packed day sip your sundowner in the attractive open-sided bar with stunning views over the Rift Valley floor.

On the edge of an escarpment, this lodge presents a cluster of clean, en suite, double-story rondavels with breathtaking views over the lake. Good for a short stopover, the decor is slightly dated and the showers tiny, but what it lacks in aesthetics it makes up for in a program of varied activities. You can take Swahili lessons, amble along a gentle nature walk, or jog around the demarcated track of the lodge. There's also hiking nearby where you can explore thickly forested hillsides. A special outing is a village walk to the nearby town of Mto wa Mbu, which is home to more than 100 different tribes and one of the richest linguistic mixes in Africa.

Manze camp is found in the far eastern section of the reserve in a bountiful game-viewing area—just follow the well-worn elephant trail from the river to a large thatch roof spreading out over the sand floor. Meru-style walk-in tents perched between shady palms come with private verandas, flush toilets, and an outdoor shower. It's all basic but authentic, with warm hospitality and in a beautiful location. Game drives are customized to your specifications, and walking or boating safaris to view crocs, wild dogs, hippos, lions, elephants, zebras, and hundreds of bird species are offered.

A charming mix of Afro-European Architecture from a bygone era greets you after a bumpy, dusty drive from the Crater. Your personal butler will escort you to your private cottage with sundeck, luxurious Victorian baths, fireplace, his-and-hers basins, and a rainfall shower. Separated from the main manor house is the stable room, a two-story family paradise perfect for those in groups or wanting to have a holiday with a difference for the kids—there's even a toddlers bathroom. You may never want to leave your room, but do try, because the main lodge is set around rolling hills and a working coffee plantation and has sophisticated and comfortable nooks.

The only accommodation inside Gombe National Park, the cozy and intimate Forest Lodge sits amid the mopane trees as a series of stand-alone canvas tents raised off the ground on wooden platforms. Spacious, with en suite bathroom facilities and large four-poster beds, all have locally crafted furnishings and decks that overlook the jungle and often some visiting wildlife. The well-equipped and comfortable dining and lounge decks maximize the views over the lake beyond. This is a unique place to start your chimp safari trekking.

The main attraction of this secluded bush camp, apart from its reasonable price, is its location in an indigenous forest just 2 km (1 mile) from the town of Mto wa Mbu and only five minutes from the entrance of Lake Manyara National Park. En suite tents with hot-water showers are basic and comfortable, and meals are included in the price. There's a bar and restaurant, and the staff will arrange game drives and other activities for you. It's a no-frills, no-fuss kind of place, with clean, comfortable tents that blend into the surrounding forest, providing plenty of privacy.

This well-established camp is situated on the shady banks of the Mwagusi River, giving it a prime position in Ruaha for game-viewing. The large, bright, comfortable bandas, crafted from local and organic materials, are tucked into the sandy banks, giving each a secluded view. Wake up to fresh-brewed coffee delivered by friendly staff and take in stunning views along the river on your private veranda. It's not unusual to encounter wildlife on your doorstep. Elephants are regular visitors to the camp, as well as large prides of lions. Mwagusi is run by an owner whose passion for Ruaha and African wildlife is sincere and infectious.

Scattered through the winding pathways of a 750-acre coffee plantation that was once owned by a 19th-century German settler are a series of thatched cottages nestled around a generous main farmhouse. After a dusty day of game-viewing take time out to sit by the pools, take a garden tour, or enjoy the views over the valley facing the Oldeani volcano. Only 5 km (3 miles) from the Ngorongoro Lolduare gate, the lodge has rooms that are simply decorated, spacious, and include log fires and verandas to while away the evenings. Food is sourced from the beautiful gardens surrounding the working farm and served as either a buffet or a set menu.

Ask for a valley-facing room; it is some distance from the main lodge but the views are worth it.

Emerging from the natural surroundings and indigenous vines of the western rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serena Safari Lodge is home to one of the most famous views this side of the Mara River. The large lodge, built from local river stone, spreads out to maximize your ability to sit back and gaze over mountain-ringed caldera. Walk to your room through tunnels of stones and enter a large space with wooden flooring, a desk adorned with a hurricane lantern, and small, but comfortably functional bathrooms. Because of the lodge's size and the fact that it caters to large groups, you might find it difficult to find a quiet resting place outside your bedroom. But when it comes to the views over the forest and the beautiful expanse of the Crater, you'd be hard-pressed to find better.

Light, delicate linens, fantastic dining, and touches of romantic Africa scattered all around the campsite make Olakira one of the finest mobile camps in the Serengeti. The location in the north (July–November) sits atop a hill right near a popular wildebeest crossing where you can watch the excitement with relative ease and return to the comfort of your lounge area. When in the south (December–March) it faces the grassy Ndutu plains. Each tent has a king-size bed, large shower area, and canvas chaise lounge on a private verandah. You will be immersed in the African plains without sacrificing any comforts.

Check ahead when booking. If the camp is full they may place you at Olakira Kimondo—lovely, and run by the same company, but does not have the stunning location like Olakira.

Once the home of a 17th-century businessman, the Park Hyatt occupies the desirable beachside location near the winding streets of central Stone Town. Spread across two buildings that blend seamlessly, the historical complex of Mambo Msiige and the more modern addition of Zamani Residence are centered around an ancient orange tree that still, in season, produces juice for the hotel. High-quality finishes are used throughout the upscale rooms including four-poster beds; some rooms overlook the dhow harbor and ocean beyond. Service is efficient without being obtrusive and the elegance in the decorative finishes pairs well with all the things you would expect from a luxury hotel—satellite TV, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, a gym and a beautiful spa, oceanfront dining, and a swimming pool overlooking the sea.

On the more remote Shaminiani Island, a short boat ride from a small village, a series of bandas are built facing out over a bay. The bandas are decorated with bright Kanga material, private balconies, and are elevated a few meters off the ground on stilts. In line with eco-building principles they make use of solar power, composting toilets, and natural airflow to cool down the rooms. The beach curves into a picturesque natural bay facing out toward the ocean where you can watch local fishermen sail by on the tides. Expect little to no cell-phone signals, making it a place to have a simple, rustic holiday away from everything and enjoying a real localized slice of island life.

There is a two-night minimum.

Formerly known as the Best Western Plus and renamed the Peninsula, this hotel is an excellent value with friendly staff and a decent on-site restaurant. Catering mostly to a business clientele, the rooms are incredibly spacious and modern with comfortable beds and good showers and air-conditioning. There is a decent business center and gym, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars in nearby Oyster Bay. An enormous nightclub is directly next door; make sure you close your windows on a Friday night.

With traditional Arabic wooden balconies, glass-stained windows, and a lush courtyard, this welcoming hotel is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Rooms, which all face inward toward a delightful courtyard that resembles an Arabian fairy-tale at night, have many of the amenities of a five-star hotel—air-conditioning, plush bedding, Wi-Fi, and traditional four-poster beds.