Accommodations in Tanzania: What are the Options?

Tanzania offers some of the best safari adventures, giving you once in a lifetime experience. Accommodations in Tanzania are no exception, ensuring visitors have a great time on their safari. In this article, we will explore the options that you have and which one will serve your needs the best. 

Tanzania safari adventures becomes great when you have these three things. A good vehicle, knowledgeable guide, and supportive customer care. However, it can only become successful if the accommodation suits your itinerary. While there are many accommodation options in Tanzania, choosing the right one may be a challenge. Let’s start with what you need to consider. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing Accommodation in Tanzania

When you are choosing accommodation in Tanzania, go for the one that suits your overall plan for the trip. Consider whether you want something luxurious with all the premium amenities, a campsite with minimal amenities, or something in between. The following are the three main factors you need to consider when choosing an accommodation option in Tanzania.

• Budget: The budget is a major parameter when it comes to choosing accommodation. While the rates can the affected by the location of the accommodation and the location, Tanzania offerings options for all kinds of travelers.  Most accommodations on Tanzania safari can cost as little as USD 80/person/night and as much as over USD 1500/person/night, exclusive of park fees and vehicle fees. As you plan for your safari, consider your overall budget, keeping in mind your itinerary and the number of days you will be in the country.  This helps to is identify accommodation fits your budget or set itinerary.
• Location: Location is such an important factor that it determines the sites you will visit during your safari. While the type of accommodation is important, the location may determine the quality of your overall adventure experience. When you stay in lodges or camps along your itinerary, it saves you time and allows you to get maximum experience at the park.
• Type of accommodation: Several types of accommodation are readily available for safari adventures in Tanzania. You have the option to stay in a tented camps or budget-friendly basic camping. For a higher end or luxurious experiences, multiple tented lodges and mid-tier to luxury lodges are available within the parks. Each of these options offers unique experiences for the tourists, although the choice will depend on your budget, itinerary, interests, and preferred level of comfort. 

5 Types of Accommodations in Tanzania 

Tanzania offers several accommodation types for its visitors. Whether you want a luxurious stay while in the country or experience the total adventure experience in the wild, there is an option for you here. Here are the 5 types of accommodation you can use while in Tanzania.

Lodges

Lodges in Tanzania are designed for luxury stays. Mostly large and solid structures, they are made of concrete and located inside or outside the national parks. With a touch of stone, wood, or thatch, they seamlessly integrate with the natural surroundings, giving every visitor an experience to remember. 

Safari lodges are a great accommodation choice, especially because of their layout. Instead of a lodge in the middle of the wilderness, you find multiple quarters that spread in an area with common building at the center for all the essential amenities. You will usually find the reception, bar and restaurant, spa services, gym, swimming pool, and other amenities. 

Staying in the lodge keeps you connected to the outside world. There will be electricity, WIFI, and other facilities such as laundry, running water, locker, and more. Some lodges also offer four poster beds, and premium features like wraparound balconies, air conditioning system, and private plunge pools. While most of them are luxury lodges, some are mid-tier with friendlier rates. 

Tented Lodges 

If you are looking to immerse yourself in nature, tented lodges in Tanzania are a great option. They give oil the comfort of a lodge but also bring you close to nature, separated just by canvas walls. Mostly built of wood or concrete on raised floors and thatched roofs with huge net windows, tented lodges keep you in direct contact with nature. However, they still have great amenities such as swimming pools for relaxing after a long safari adventure.

The layout of tented lodges is also a bit different. You will find about 15 to 25 tents spread across an area with a common area located in the middle. This is where you will find a lounge, dining room, and sometimes a small terrace and swimming pool. In luxury tented lodges, you also get additional amenities such as plunge pools, bathtubs, spa services, large viewing decks, air conditioning, and large glass panels on one of the ways. 

Tented Camps

Tented camps are the most popular type of accommodation in Tanzania safaris. Available inside the national parks, they include comfortable walk-in tents made of canvas. With the average size of a hotel room, they include a private ensuite bathroom with a running shower or bucket, a flush or long-drop toilet, and a solid bed with a thick mattress. Most tents also have chairs and tables that you can use to sit outside the stunning views.

The experience you get from tented camps is always exceptional. National parks like Tarangire and Central Serengeti have permanent tented camps. However, some are mobile and will often change location based on the migration from southern to northern Serengeti. Since they are powered by solar with a diesel generator for backup, your stay here is always decent. However, electricity may be switched off at night from 10 pm to 5 am, and it is important to charge your devices before this time.

Since tented camps are more nature-centric, you may not have access to many amenities. You access to Wi-F here is limited to the common areas. However, the meals are great at the restaurant tents, and bonfires may be lit at night. You will also be staying in an unfenced accommodation, which means stepping out at night is risky. Most facilities provide specific guidelines, including being with a guide when moving between your tent and the common area. 

In terms of comfort, there is a variety of levels. Some are fairly basic while others are upscale and more decorated, attracting high rates. However, tented camps in Tanzania gives you a rare opportunity to sleep in the middle of wildlife. Experience their sounds at night and wake up in the morning to the delight of animals grazing at your “front door.”. 

Basic Campsites

When travelling on budget, basic camping in Tanzania can be a good option. You get the chance to experience the wildlife and spent the night in their proximity. You will need to set up a camp in a campsite, which are mostly located in the wild inside the park. Your nights will include a laying a sleeping bag or a firm mattress on the ground. However, you will have to share toilet and shower facilities with no extra amenities offered. 

At the start of your safari adventure, you will receive a camping gear. You will also have a cook and a dedicated guide on all your safaris. Since the amenities are limited, you level of comfort is also limited. For instance, the common washrooms are shared and may not be as clean as what you get in other types of accommodation. 

Despite being the most minimalist way of going for a safari, camp safaris in Tanzania are located inside the park. Some locations like Manyara have easy-to-access campsites outside the park. This means you will only get back to the campsite at the end of the day after your safari tour. However, your assigned cook will be left behind to prepare the food for you. Usually, you this will include three meals a day although you can make adjustments if need be. 

City Lodges and Hotels

Depending on your Tanzania safari itinerary, you may also opt for city lodges and hotels. Most of the easy accessible hotels during your safari are located in Karatu Town and Arusha. Compared to accommodation inside the parks, city hotels offer lower rates, and may be another good option when on budget. 

If you are headed to Ngorongoro, Serengeti, or Tarangire, you can stay in Karatu town. The town is also conveniently located for a night stay between Manyara and Serengeti/Manyara. The major drawback, however, is that you will not get the direct experience with nature as you would with the other options. City lodges also add an extra hour or two to your itinerary as you have to travel to and from the parks. 

Conclusion

Tanzania offers several accommodation options to its visitors ranging from high-end lodges to simple campsites. Depending on your budget and itinerary, you can choose to stay at a lodge or in a tent. While each option gives you a unique experience, you may not always have an option for all. To book a safari and accommodation in Tanzania, get in touch with Bobbytours. We offer a personalized experience to visitors, providing a clear itinerary of activities and top accommodation recommendations. 

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