The types of accommodation on Tanzanian safaris

In Tanzania there are four types of accommodation that you will find on safari, with tented camps being the most common (and in our opinion, the most magical option!)

Tented Camps

Tented camps are a really popular accommodation option for a safari in Tanzania! It gives you a chance to to sleep under a canvas under the stars but still maintaining a level of comfort and luxury. It's a huge part of the appeal of safaris in Tanzania!

Think of it as glamping! The majority of tented camps will have a communal dining area and then you individual 'room tents'. The tents have power, running hot water, showers and flushable toilets! A lot come with your own outdoor seating area as well! We actually had a four poster bed, desk and seating area in one of the tented camps we stayed at!!

There are different levels of tented camps that range from the lower end of mid-luxury to ultra luxury! The luxury camps can be absolutely outstanding and it's hard to believe you are staying in a tent! Whereas the lower end of budget tented camps may not have power and the shower pressure may not be the best! Some camps have 'bucket showers' which basically means that they ask you the time you would like to shower, along with the temperature of your shower and they fill the tank up outside your tent ready for you! These showers can sometimes be more like a trickle! So we would advise that you double check when booking so you know what to expect!

The camps usually aren't fenced, so it does mean that wildlife can wander in and out of the camp! There is nothing quite as exhilarating as when you're lying in bed and can hear a lion roaring outside! You will have a Maasai Warrior or member of staff that will escort you to and from your room when it gets dark.

You may also hear the term 'mobile camp' which is a type of tented camp. These camps 'move' with the Great Migration herds whereas the other tented camps are in a permanent location every year. Check out our travel tip on what a 'mobile camp' is for more information!

Lodges

Lodges are also found throughout the parks. The difference between a lodge and a tented camp is that lodges are permanent buildings with solid walls. They are often located in some of the most stunning locations!

They will usually have full service facilities, a wider range of amenities and often have swimming pools. They can really range in size, so we would advise finding out how many rooms they have beforehand. We would recommend finding a small lodge so that you can have a more exclusive experience.

If you want to stay in one lodge for the duration of your trip, then you will want to opt for a lodge that offers game drives. Usually you will share these game drives with other guests staying at the lodge.

Camping

The budget option for a safari in Tanzania is to opt for a camping safari! This will be a classic two-person tent with a basic set up. You will be sleeping on the ground with sleeping bags! The safari companies will usually provide all of your equipment, along with your guide/ driver and a personal chef that travels with you!

You'll usually stay in designated campsites within or near the national parks and the campsites offer basic washing facilities.

Bear in mind that the washroom facilities could be a bit hit or miss depending on where you are staying! Most have flushable toilets and showers, but we would recommend taking your own toilet roll, antibacterial hand gel and flip flops to wear in the shower! Always be sure to chat to your safari company before booking so you know exactly what to expect!

The staff that travel with you will take down and erect the camp each day, but this can eat into 'wildlife viewing' time as you can't get up and out as early as you would if you were staying in a tented camp.

Hostels

Hostels are usually located outside of the parks in nearby towns, and they are a great way to save money if you are travelling on a budget and don't fancy camping in the parks!

Hostels are always a great way to meet other travellers!