Luxury Tanzania Safaris: Top Camps, Private Guides and Fly-In Options

What makes a Tanzania safari luxury?

Luxury camps and lodges offer spacious rooms or tents, private verandas and sometimes plunge pools, excellent food and very attentive service. Many are in sought-after spots, such as the Mara River area in the north or on the Ngorongoro Crater rim. You can also fly between parks to avoid long drives, at extra cost.

How much does a luxury Tanzania safari cost?

Here are our starting prices at luxury level, per person with two people sharing. The most exclusive camps can cost much more, so your final quote depends on the camps you choose and when you travel.

Is a luxury safari worth the extra cost?

It depends on what you value. The animals are the same at every level, so you are paying for comfort, location, privacy and service. If this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, or a honeymoon, it may well be worth it. If you would rather have more days in the parks for the same money, mid-range might suit you better.

Fly-in luxury safaris: when flying is worth it

Small aircraft connect the Serengeti with Arusha and Zanzibar, and they save many hours on the road, especially from the far north. In exchange, you see less along the way, and baggage limits are strict, often about 15 to 20 kg (33 to 44 lb) in soft bags. Ask us to add flights to your quote.

Where to go on a luxury Tanzania safari

The northern Serengeti in the migration season, the Ngorongoro Crater rim and the quieter parts of Tarangire are especially rewarding. Our 9-day safari is a good base for a luxury trip, and a honeymoon safari can add Zanzibar.

Trips to build your luxury safari around

Prices on these cards are at mid-range level. See the table above for luxury prices.

Your guide on a luxury Tanzania safari

Your driver-guide is with you from the first morning to the last drive, and much of what you see depends on them. Our guides have worked on Tanzania tours for 7 years. They are graduates of the College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka, and the National College of Tourism, and they hold certification from those institutions.

Planning your luxury Tanzania safari

June to October is the most reliable time for wildlife, and January to March brings calving in the south. See our best time guide and our packing list. See a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you leave. Malaria is a risk in the safari parks, so ask about tablets and bring repellent. Travel insurance is not included, and we strongly recommend a policy that covers medical care and evacuation.

Tips are not included in the price, and they are appreciated. Common guidance is about $15 to $25 per traveler per day for your guide, or about $40 to $50 per vehicle per day on a private safari, plus about $10 to $15 per guest per night for camp and lodge staff.

A day on a luxury Tanzania safari

You wake to a tray of coffee brought to your tent before dawn. Your guide has a morning planned around what was seen the day before, and you might stop for a bush breakfast with a view across the plains. Back at camp, the middle of the day belongs to you: lunch, a plunge pool, or a nap on your veranda. Late in the afternoon, you go out again, finishing with a drink as the sun sets. Dinner may be under the stars. It is the same wildlife as on any other safari, but with every small detail taken care of.

What the extra money buys on a luxury safari

Location

Top camps often sit in the best places, away from busy routes, which can mean private sightings.

Space and privacy

Fewer rooms, larger tents and more distance between them.

Food and service

Excellent meals, attentive staff and small touches.

Flexibility

Private dinners, bush breakfasts and, at some camps, activities such as walking or night drives, depending on their permits.

Combining luxury camps with a mid-range safari

You do not have to spend the same every night. On a 7-day safari, you might choose mid-range camps in Tarangire and Lake Manyara, then a top camp in the Serengeti and a lodge on the crater rim. You get the best experience where it counts, at a much lower total cost. Ask us to quote it both ways.

The best time for a luxury safari in Tanzania

From July to October, top camps in the north can be near the Mara River crossings, and they book up early, often a year or more ahead. From January to March, mobile camps move to Ndutu for calving. April and May can offer very good rates, although some camps close. See our best time guide.

Ending your luxury safari on Zanzibar

After the bush, there is nothing like a quiet beach. Zanzibar has many fine resorts, particularly in the north and east, and it is a short flight from the mainland. Our honeymoon safari guide can help you plan. We will suggest hotels that suit your style.

How to choose a luxury safari camp

Ask about the location in the season you are traveling, the number of rooms, whether the vehicles are shared with other guests, and what is included. Do not choose from photos alone. A beautiful tent in the wrong area for your month is a poor choice. We will explain why we recommend each camp, and we will tell you honestly when a cheaper option would serve you just as well.

Luxury lodge or luxury tented camp?

Luxury lodges are permanent buildings, often with pools, spas and big views, and they work well for families or anyone who prefers solid walls. Luxury tented camps put you closer to the wild, with canvas walls, private decks and the sounds of the bush at night, and they often have just a few rooms. Some move with the seasons to stay near the migration. Many travelers enjoy a mix of the two on one trip.

Who should choose a luxury safari?

A luxury safari suits couples on a honeymoon, travelers marking a special occasion, and anyone who values privacy and service. It also suits people who are short on time, as flying between camps saves many hours. It is not necessary for a great wildlife experience. If what you most want is more time with the animals, a longer mid-range safari may suit you better for the same money.

A sample luxury safari in Tanzania

A luxury trip might start with a night at a lodge near Arusha, then a flight or drive to a top camp in Tarangire. Next comes a lodge on the Ngorongoro rim, with a morning on the crater floor, and a flight to a small tented camp in the northern Serengeti in the migration season. You could finish with a beach villa on Zanzibar. This sort of trip is built around your dates, so ask us for a written quote.

What to check before you pay for a luxury safari

• Is the location right for your month? The best camp in the wrong place is a poor choice.
• Is your vehicle private? At some camps, vehicles are shared with other guests.
• What activities are allowed? Walking and night drives depend on the camp's location and permits.
• Are drinks and laundry included? Policies vary.
• Is your cancellation cover adequate? Higher costs make good insurance even more important.

Luxury Tanzania safaris: your questions answered

Plan a luxury safari that suits you

Tell us your dates and what matters most to you, and we will suggest camps that fit.