Tanzania
Tanzania’s best safari lodges, from Serengeti to Manyara
Head into the wild at these top safari lodges in Tanzania
Tanzania’s safari lodges are no longer just about luxury with a view. From the endless drama of the Serengeti to the soda lakes of Manyara, a new breed of safari stay is reframing what it means to go on safari. Think architectural daring, conservation-first design and interiors that speak to place rather than simply reference it. These lodges sit on the intersection of wilderness and contemporary culture. Places where you’ll sip wine grown in South African valleys while zebras graze below the deck. Where Swahili artistry meets modern minimalism and the rhythm of the bush sets the pace. Here’s where to stay when you want immersion and aesthetic clarity in equal measure.
Top photography courtesy of Singita Faru Faru
Overview: Tanzania’s best safari lodges
01
Singita Faru Faru Lodge
Faru Faru Lodge sits inside Singita’s 350,000-acre private concession along the Grumeti River, a setting that feels alive in every sense. This lodge reimagines the safari aesthetic with an almost cinematic modernity. The glass curves, soft stone and sand-toned textures mirror the rhythm of the landscape. Inside, suites spill into the plains through wide terraces and low, organic forms. It’s all about atmosphere – light, air and the stillness that comes before the herds arrive. Owned by the Baillie family, Singita’s ethos of “fewer guests, deeper impact” runs through everything here. From the minimal footprint architecture to its commitment to the Grumeti Fund, which restores wildlife corridors and funds local education.
Singita Faru Faru Lodge
Grumeti Game Reserve
Tanzania
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Photography courtesy of Singita Faru Faru Lodge
02
Singita Sasakwa Lodge
Sasakwa occupies a ridge that frames the Grumeti Reserve in sweeping perspective. The lodge has the atmosphere of a colonial manor – polished hardwood floors, antique chests, chandeliers – but its energy is unmistakably forward-thinking. Each villa has a pool that opens to one of the most cinematic views in Tanzania. Beyond design, Sasakwa plays a pivotal role in Singita’s conservation model. It anchors one of East Africa’s most successful rewilding projects, protecting everything from black rhino populations to migratory herds. Helicopter safaris, horseback rides and candlelit bush dinners elevate it beyond the ordinary safari script.
Singita Sasakwa Lodge
Singita Grumeti
Serengeti National Park
Tanzania
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Photography courtesy of Singita Sasakwa Lodge
03
& Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Deep within the mahogany forest of Lake Manyara National Park, & Beyond’s Tree Lodge feels hidden by intent. It’s the only permanent lodge inside the park, built around the trunks of ancient trees with open-air decks that float above the forest floor. The architecture, featuring wood, canvas and muted earth tones, mirrors & Beyond’s sustainability-first design philosophy. The interiors carry a subtle Swahili influence through carved panels and woven details. Nights are alive with the calls of colobus monkeys and forest birds, mornings with the shifting light on the lake’s edge. You can dine under the trees, enjoying dishes that spotlight the local ingredients.
& Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Lake Manyara National Park
Tanzania
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Photography courtesy of & Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
04
Chem Chem Lodge
Chem Chem Lodge feels like the antithesis of the high-octane safari. This privately owned lodge, founded by Fabia and Nicolas Negre, operates within a conservation area linking Tarangire and Lake Manyara, a crucial elephant corridor. The design is earthy and restrained, a blend of tented pavilions and timber decks surrounded by fever trees and open grasslands. Interiors are filled with tactile materials like canvas, stone and aged wood, giving the space a grounded serenity. What makes Chem Chem distinctive is its philosophy of “slow safari”. Fewer drives, more connection. You can track wildlife with guides, observe local Maasai practices or simply watch the plains change with the light.
Chem Chem Lodge
Lake Manyara
Mdori
Tanzania
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Photography courtesy of Chem Chem Lodge
05
Meliá Serengeti Lodge
Meliá Serengeti brings a refined European sensibility to an otherwise wild stage. Set on the Nyamuma Hills overlooking the Mbalageti River Valley, the property strikes a rare balance between resort comfort and ecological mindfulness. It’s Tanzania’s first sustainable luxury lodge to receive EarthCheck certification, thanks to its solar energy system and locally sourced design elements. Rooms open onto terraces that seem to hover above the plains, while the décor combines contemporary lines with African art and natural materials. The restaurant serves Mediterranean-inspired menus that fold in Tanzanian flavours like spiced grains, grilled fish and regional coffee. With a spa, infinity pool and some of the most beautiful sunsets in the Serengeti, Meliá proves that sustainability and style can coexist.
Meliá Serengeti Lodge
Nyamuma Hills
Tanzania
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Photography courtesy of Meliá Serengeti Lodge
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