Unveiling the Ultimate Tanzania Luxury Safari Experience: A Comprehensive Guide
Tanzania has established a reputation as one of the most sought-after safari destinations in Africa, with spectacular national parks and game reserves to explore. As its popularity has grown, so too has the number of luxury camps and lodges dotted throughout its wilderness areas. Not only do they offer high-end facilities and amenities but they provide travelers with a more exclusive way to experience Africa’s wildlife in its natural habitat.
If you’re still not convinced that investing in a luxury safari is worth the money, then read on! In this article, we’ll explain the advantages of opting for a high-end safari in Tanzania and how spending big will directly impact your overall experience.
What is it that makes a luxury safari “high-end” and worth the splurge? It’s not only about exquisite accommodation with all the creature comforts (think four-poster beds and claw-foot baths) but it’s the exclusivity of the settings. Most are positioned in remote places with nothing but the African savannah sprawling around you and the opportunity to spot wildlife from the comfort of your balcony.
The personalized service is also second-to-none, with many offering private butlers who will attend to your every whim. Coffee and tea are delivered to your door when you wake up in the morning and the bath is run, ready and waiting for you when you return from sundowners in the evening. It’s the little touches like these that completely elevate the safari experience to one you will never forget.
Tanzania’s choice of luxury lodges and camps is outstanding, with all of its major national parks and reserves boasting high-end accommodations that are easily accessible by charter flights. In the Serengeti, you can splurge at the architecturally designed Melia Serengeti Lodge overlooking the River Mbalageti or stay at the award-winning Sayari Tented Camp in the remote north of the park.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to the celebrated Gibb’s Farm Lodge, which offers farm-to-table dining experiences and cottages that ooze charm. Canvas-and-glass domed suites inspired by traditional Maasai bomas await at The Highlands Ngorongoro while the unique Ziwani Lodge perches atop an escarpment overlooking Lake Eyasi.
In Tarangire National Park, you can stay in elevated accommodation at the Tarangire Treetops Tented Camp or experience a slice of “Out of Africa” at Little Chem Chem. Ruaha features a handful of intimate properties that include the luxurious Jabali Ridge and the Kwihala Camp while Nyerere National Park (formerly the Selous Game Reserve) is home to the stone-and-thatch cottages of Sand River Selous and the exclusive safari camp of Kiba Point.
When you stay at a luxury safari camp or lodge, you can expect dining experiences that are on par with a five-star hotel. The kitchens are headed by some of Africa’s top chefs, with a focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. These are transformed into decadent meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, accompanied by your choice of wine from well-stocked cellars.
Your “downtime” in between game drives could mean refreshing in a private plunge pool (with views across the savannah no less) or indulging with a massage at the on-site spa. Many luxury lodges and camps have well-stocked libraries where you can while an afternoon, accompanied by a freshly brewed pot of tea and homemade treats.
High-end properties also attract the best guides in Africa, most of whom have developed their wildlife-spotting skills and knowledge over a lifetime in the industry. They know how to spot the most elusive animals and the best angles for photography, as well as how to keep you safe in even the most confronting of situations.
You might think that the elevated experience of a luxury safari ends once you leave the lodge or camp but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Due to the remote setting of high-end properties, you’re unlikely to encounter crowds of tourists or be jostling for space with other jeeps around sought-after wildlife sightings.
When it comes to the jeeps themselves, most luxury lodges and camps are equipped with the best of the best, featuring large sliding windows and roof hatches for enhanced visibility. They may also boast charging stations so photographers are never left with a flat battery out in the middle of the wilderness.
What all of this translates to is unparalleled wildlife encounters, whether it’s spotting the “Big Five” or observing critically endangered species whose sightings are rare. With a highly experienced guide at the helm, you’l have all of your questions answered and enjoy a far greater insight into the characteristics and behaviors of the animals you see.
While you might think that game drives are the be-all and end-all of the safari experience, the truth is, there’s a diverse array of activities and experiences on offer. At luxury camps and lodges, these are more private and customized, ensuring you are getting exactly what you want from the experience. Whether you’re a couple on their honeymoon or a family with young kids in tow, a luxury property will craft an itinerary to suit your needs and wants.
If you’re interested in the “little things”, then you can head out on foot for a walking safari, which allows you to discover plants and animals you might otherwise miss on a game drive. Want to get the “big picture”? Then a sunrise hot air balloon safari is not to be missed, giving you a bird’s eye view of Tanzania’s majestic landscapes. Night game drives offer a completely different perspective, getting your up close to nocturnal species that are only active once the sun goes down.
If you’re staying at a budget camp or lodge, chances are your rates are only just covering staff wages and running costs, with little left over at the end of the day. But at high-end properties, there’s a greater opportunity to support local conservation and community initiatives. The best part? Most are transparent about where your money is going and how it is preserving Tanzania’s ecological beauty, so you can select one that resonates with you.
By supporting sustainable and responsible tourism initiatives, you’re not only aiding the long-term survival of wildlife species but also the people who live and work in the area. That extra you are paying is not only going to ensure the experiences you have are luxurious and exclusive but that the people who are providing them to you have reliable employment and a healthy wage.
Most people will tell you that the dry season from June to October is the best time to go on safari in Tanzania, with the reduced vegetation making wildlife easier to spot and animals congregating around limited water resources. But the truth is, Tanzania is a year-round safari destination, with incredible sightings and experiences on offer each month.
In June and July, you can watch as the annual wildebeest migration begins its journey north from the Serengeti to graze on the plains of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in neighboring Kenya. If you want to see the huge herds of wildebeest and zebras crossing the crocodile-infested rivers of northern Tanzania, then August and September are the best months to visit.
November through to May is Tanzania’s wet season, with the landscapes turning a lush green as new grass shoots. For most of this period, you can expect short, afternoon downpours that won’t put a dampener on activities, although March through to May sees heavier and longer showers. The rewards of visiting during this “green season” are incredible birdwatching experiences as migratory species arrive from Europe and Asia. January and February are the perfect time to visit if you want to watch the wildebeest calving and their newborns taking their first steps.
As with any safari, a luxury experience will be all the more memorable with a bit of forward planning. This starts a few weeks in advance of your trip with a visit to your GP to ensure you have any necessary or recommended vaccinations. It’s also a good idea to chat with them about malarial precautions that are suitable for you.
On safari, you want to pack lightweight and quick-drying clothing, preferably garments that are neutrally coloured so you blend into the bush. Walking shoes with good tread are essential, as are a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. In the evenings and early mornings when mosquitoes are most active, you want long sleeves and pants to protect your skin, as well as warm layers to combat the cool temperatures. When staying at a high-end lodge or camp, you may also want to pack a couple of different outfits to wear during romantic dinners, although the focus is always on casual, barefoot luxury, rather than formal dress.
Finally, it’s worth taking some time to consider the camera you want to bring, if you want to bring one at all! You can opt for a simple point-and-shoot to document your experience or invest in a high-end DSLR with changeable lenses, allowing you to capture both up-close animal shots and wide angles of Tanzania’s magnificent landscapes.
With incredible wildlife encounters and breathtaking landscapes to discover, a Tanzania safari will always be unforgettable. But when you elevate the experience by opting for a luxury stay, it’s sure to be a life-changing adventure. It allows you to customize the experience to reflect your interests while being treated to exclusive wildlife encounters far from the crowds.
Most importantly, a luxury safari gives you the chance to completely immerse yourself in the majesty of Tanzania’s wilderness areas, without having to compromise on the comforts or service of a five-star stay.
Ready to Book Your Safari in Tanzania?
Reach out to our team of seasoned Africa Safari Experts and embark on the journey of a lifetime in Tanzania. Drawing upon more than twenty years of expertise and deep-rooted knowledge, we specialize in curating bespoke itineraries that guarantee not only an unforgettable adventure but also a completely secure one. Your dream safari experience begins with us.
Enquire now and a Vencha Travel's Expert will be in touch within 24 hours!
Let's start planning
1-321-766-6821
Accomodation
Travel Article
