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!
Our View
Kokoko Camp is the most intimate camp in Ruaha National Park, and perhaps East Africa. It offers a simple but undeniably special stay. Sleeping under a retractable roof at Kokoko is something you won’t forget in a hurry - especially when there’s only two tents worth of other safari-goers nearby.
Everything about this lodge looks great. The rooms look good, they are big, the beach is excellent and pool is lovely. But we can’t think of anywhere on Zanzibar with such shaky management. Like its sister lodge, Kasha Boutique Hotel, it may be worth a three night stay at the beginning of a trip with the motive being to enjoy the rooms, private plunge pools and privacy while you just relax for a few days. But don’t expect all the wines to be in stock or the best level of service. For a longer stay you are better off sacrificing the lovely room and paying the same for a lodge that will deliver for you.
Absolutely amazing location in the middle of the park. Away from the crowds and in middle of the action! The ability to do true sundowners (allowed to stay past sunset) and night drives here is a huge plus and differentiates it from the other parks we went to. - K. Dong
The Kusini area was filled with game, both the herds and predators. We saw pretty much everything- 30+lions (including 2 young lions in a tree), several cheetah (and a successful hunt), leopards, well over 100 hyena, a RHINO!, dogs, and even a croc in a seasonal watering hole. I could go on and on. - D. Trice
At Kwihala lodge the staff did everything for our well feeling and the food was excellent . Our guide Lorenzo was very professional, he knows how to find and show us the game so we saw so many many lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, buffalos and many colourful birds. - A. Fuellemann
Set right next to Tarangire National Park within the Kwakuchinja wildlife migration corridor, home to over 50 species of mammals. Manyara Ranch conservancy is a small permanent tented camp that can offer game drives in both Manyara National Park and Tarangire.The private conservancy is an intimate and undisturbed safari destination, across the lake from Lake Manyara National Park.
Although this is a large lodge, it disguises its size quite well with its spread out design. The little pointy thatched rooms are dotted over a large area creating good space between one another. With only a 20 minute drive to the park, the Lake Manyara Serena is a great option for this area given its access and amazing views. If a tented camp is not your thing or you don’t want to stay in neighbouring Karatu then this is a great choice.
This was a perfect place to rest up before starting our honeymoon the service and food was great.- N Shaw
1 night at Lake Manze camp. The most colonial of our places. Simple but nice tents, a lovely elephant joining us for breakfast and a fantastic communal dinner under the stars. - K Spofforth
