Our ranking is subjective (it is the office consensus, after much arguing), and tries to reflect value for money as well as overall quality. Therefore we may award just three stars to a 'five star' Zanzibar Hotel in the hotel tick-box sense, or five stars to a superb, unashamed 'three star' Tanzania Lodge that consistently provides superb quality experiences for the price. We care a great deal about location, whether in the bush or on the beach, and in many cases this has influenced our choice. It is unorthodox, it may seem at odds with the world view, but we can explain... and we urge you to call us to discuss!
We don't just know Tanzania!
For more information on Tanzania, the best thing to do is to give us a ring for an impartial chat. Although we love Tanzania, we also love the rest of Africa too and have experts in all the main safari countries. If you are undecided as to where to visit, please do just drop us an email or give us a call!
The staff at Baraza also went over and above to make sure that our time there wa We were ple;ased with the staff and location, and were happy that thyey gave us 20% off voucher for their hotel restuarants. The building just seemed a bit older and as a result, the AC didn't work well and out room was very warm and had a smell to it. It was just for a night so it didn't result in any problems.- E. Hehir
Over on Zanzibar then, again, Sunshine, was a really great choice. We didn’t quite work out that the half board nature of it meant that our evening meal was included! On the first night we headed off to a local restaurant. It was only a small matter as the second night we dined in and I was very delighted when the mega valentines seafood buffet bill arrived at about a tenner each which incuded our wine and drinks etc… It’s a lovely hotel and the local feel was excellent as well. Snorkelling was brill as well.- R. Darbourne
Swala is probably the most luxurious camp in the Tarangire National Park. The bandas are all very smartly furnished and comfortable. It is situated in probably the best game viewing area of the park, fantastic for game drives and walking safaris. It should not be compared to Olivers, as it’s very different in style. The location is just off a swamp, thus attracting huge numbers of elephant during the dry season.
Our View
Whilst we normally recommend a tailor-made itinerary for our travelling guests, there are a number of group, set-date departure trips that offer a great-value, easy way to join a small group of like-minded travellers. There are number of choices, however we have hand-picked these tours based on their exceptional guiding and the fact they ensure our guests get to take in the very best North Tanzania can offer.
Probably the pick of the Sopa lodges in Tanzania as it offers a somewhat intimate experience (considering the numbers of rooms), in a great spot for game viewing. Being a Sopa lodge it is rather dated but it serves as a brilliant money saver in an excellent position of the park. Ideally you want to be a bit further south and stay at Olivers or Swala which are more expensive but the extra cost is certainly justifiable. They are in great locations and they are small tented camps.
Tarangire Treetops run by Elewana, a trusted safari operator with some of Tanzania’s top properties in their portfolio. The camp itself is amazing. The rooms, the layout, the views. It’s an ideal setting for a safari camp and the quality of the product really shines through. But the only drawback is that the camp is located outside the park. This isn’t the most appropriate of locations when there are some excellent properties inside the park. Our first choice property here is Olivers Camp, then Swala which are both in the park, and Tarangire Treetops would next.
This hotel has let us down in the past and for that reason we do not like to recommend it. Some rooms are very good but the reality is that the service standards are not anywhere near the quality of its competitors. More importantly however, it is a dry hotel which for those of us who like that sundowner is nothing short of a nightmare!
What a treat to discover beautiful Thanda Island. They gave us a family holiday of such extraordinary perfection, we can’t imagine ever bettering it. We were treated to wonderful whale watching, desert island picnics in superb style and comfort, and the children were whisked off to sail, snorkel and kayak. The staff were amazing; their enthusiasm, attention to detail and tireless efforts to look after us made the stay even more special. Gather your family, make the trip. It’s honestly worth it! - R Klien
The stunning Ngorongoro Highlands surround The Manor and leave the guests in a permanent state of awe and tranquillity. It is a fantastic opportunity to have a break from intense game viewing and put your feet up in utter luxury.
