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Accommodation, Inspiration, Private Safaris

Little Black Book of Private Safari Lodges in Tanzania

Ker & Downey Africa > Journal > Little Black Book of Private Safari Lodges in Tanzania

The breathtaking view from Mwiba Lodge

Our team of experts continues to bring you our selection of exclusive private safari lodges in Tanzania. Think sophisticated havens, secluded wilderness getaways, spectacular locations, intimate tented camps, authentic cultural activities and unique geological elements – these all combine to make these lodges in Tanzania have the utmost indulgence. It’s hard to imagine anything better.

Our Little Black Book of private safari lodges in Tanzania, is yet another collection of the finest sublimely comfortable properties, hand-picked by us for you – the discerning safari goer. 

Are you ready?

Mwiba Lodge | Southern Serengeti National Park

Front view at Mwiba Lodge in Tanzania with Ker & Downey Africa

This 5-star lodge offers private day and night game drives and bush walks

This premium 10-bedroomed lodge is located in its own private reserve,  Mwiba Wildlife Reserve, bordering on the south of the iconic Serengeti National Park and it blends unparalleled experiences with true privacy. Overlooking a wonderful river with cascading waterfalls, the tented lodge itself takes one’s breath away.  Facilities include a fitness center, rejuvenating in-house spa, well-stocked wine cellar and the main public areas offer airy living spaces.

Very well known for its wildlife and authentic opportunities to interact with the local people, this lodge is truly spectacular!  The expansive deck outside your room will likely deliver sightings of rare animals like caracal and the elusive bush-baby at night. A sure highlight is bound to be the game bush walks with some of the Hadzebe tribe who will provide local knowledge, followed by a visit to the Datoga tribe kraal where you will hear the tribe singing.  The lodge provides private game drive vehicles with a dedicated ranger and animal tracker plus a suite butler, who is there to attend to your every need.  The gourmet set menu meals can also be served at various locations with incredible views, including on large granite boulders with views of the plains.  The sundowners are often served on these granite boulders as well. We also recommend pre-booking a scenic helicopter flip.

Sundowners are often served on these granite boulders

Sundowners served at Mwiba Lodge with delicious eats, with Ker & Downey Africa

As the sun sets, the dedicated ranger and tracker will have delicious snacks set up after your private game drive

The main reason we have decided to include this lodge for discerning clients, is not just due to it being one of the top luxury lodges in Tanzania, but also because of the exclusive location in a private reserve – it is far from the crowds – along the banks of the Arugusinyai River.

Mila Tented Camp | Western corridor of Serengeti National Park

Part of the luxury lodges in Tanzania that are recommended for discerning clients who are interested in a small and intimate safari with just five suites and want a private safari experience. It has a premium location in a private reserve plus all guests are allocated a private vehicle, guide, and tracker for all bookings undertaking a safari adventure. A world-class location in a wildlife-rich region and it overlooks the vast Serengeti from its place atop an elevated ridge.

This is the most glamorous ‘camping’ experience, being a premium tented camp. With its romantic feel and being a smaller camp, we highly recommend this property for honeymooners or special occasions like anniversaries and birthdays. Although it does have a two-bedroom family tent, which however only accommodates children from 8 and older, it is still more adult-orientated.

4 guests on a private walking safari at Mila Tented Camp with Ker & Downey Africa

Luxury adventurers on a walking safari at Mila Tented Camp

It also offers a range of activities including day and night game drives

It also offers a range of activities inlcuding day and night game drives, walking safaris, authentic cultural visits, and optional fly camping overnights. This is a perfect luxury slice of adventure in the Serengeti which is rich in wildlife & biodiversity.

Hillside Suite at Sasakwa Lodge | Grumeti Game Reserve

For the ultimate in outdoor dining from two private decks, with a vast view of the Serengeti plains, we would suggest the hillside suite at Singita Sasakwa Lodge in the primate 35 000-acre private Grumeti Reserve, next to the famous Serengeti National Park.  This is an exclusive one-bedroom villa in the western corridor of the Serengeti in Tanzania and was built in mid-2019. This is a perfect hideaway retreat in a secluded location, away from the main lodge with a private road and entrance. The villa includes a private game vehicle, field guide, dedicated host/butler, and in-room dining.

rim-flow pool at the hillside suite, one of the lodges in Tanzania, Singita Sasakwa with Ker & Downey Africa

Guests enjoy total privacy at Hillside Suite, Singita Sasakwa

The suite comes with a master suite, rim-flow pool, kitchenette, fully stocked bar with gourmet snacks and expansive interiors with views out of the frameless glass doors and windows.

The suite comes with a master suite, rim-flow pool, kitchenette, fully stocked bar with gourmet snacks

picture of the well-stocked bar at Singita Sasakwa with Ker & Downey Africa

Guests enjoy total privacy at Hillside Suite, Singita Sasakwa

Grumeti Reserve offers year-round game viewing with your private guide and is one of the highly recommended Singita lodges in Tanzania.

Ngorongoro Lodge – Melia Collection | Ngorongoro Crater

interior of a luxury room at Melia Ngorongoro, one of the lodges in Tanzania with Ker & Downey Africa

The new Melia Ngorongoro Lodge that opened in August 2023

This is one of the many lodges in Tanzania that opened its doors in 2023 post COVID. It is located in the heart of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, next to the well-known and iconic Crater. The property offers one of the best views of the crater. The decor is extremely modern, chic and is in perfect harmony with its surroundings and is respectful of the natural environment.

We recommend visiting the in-house spa for a beauty treatment or excellent relaxing massage during your ‘downtime’ in between your private safaris (from 2024) or working out at the state-of-the-art fitness center. There is also an infinity pool with views of the Crater, to keep you cool and refreshed during the hot summer Tanzania months. We love the way the interiors are inspired by local artisans. In the evening a highlight is sure to be savoring the finest ingredients with a delicious meal at The Crater Restaurant or The Crater Grill, which both have magnificent views of their surroundings as well.

Activities include the private 4×4 game drives, a walking safari, a luxury picnic on the edge of the 610-meter deep Crater or visiting a local Maasai village.

This is great to pair with its sister property’s – Gran Melia Arusha, Melia Serengeti and Melia Zanzibar.

Forest Chem Chem | Tarangire National Park

No list of luxury lodges in the Tarangire National Park would be complete without including this special place.

Chem Chem is a premium lodge that boasts 3 camps – Chem Chem main Lodge, Little Chem Chem and then Forest Chem Chem which we are featuring. The forest lodge is an exclusive-use camp in the Chem Chem concession of Tarangire. Perfect for a group of family or friends who want to connect and enjoy a safari together, in this game-rich location.  There are 2 vintage tents which sleep a total of 4 guests and then another family tent for a further 2 adults and 2 children, therefore a total of 6 adults + 2 children. Each tent is complete with an indoor and outdoor shower and the public areas feature a dining room and lounge area.

Forest Chem Chem, one of the lodges in Tanzania with Ker & Downey Africa

A premium lodge in the Tarangire concession

Each tent is complete with an indoor and outdoor shower and the public areas feature a dining room and lounge area.

This will feel like your own private luxury bush camp with private open-vehicle game drives with your own professional and experienced personal safari guides. You and your loved ones have the freedom to come and go as you please with this premium private safari experience.

This will feel like your own private luxury bush camp

Forest Chem Chem, one of the lodges in Tanzania with Ker & Downey Africa

Forest Chem Chem is an exclusive use camp

Namiri Plains Retreat | Serengeti National Park

This is an ultra-luxurious private house that opened in July 2023, which is separate from the main camp of Asilia Africa Namiri Plains. If you and your family or friends want a deluxe safari with your own personal space with an elevated level of exclusivity, that is unrestricted, then Namiri Plains Retreat, one of the private lodges in Tanzania, is a must.

When we say that this is part of ‘big cat’ country, we really mean it, as the area of the Eastern Serengeti has been closed to visitors for the past 20 years to allow the cheetah population to grow. One of the activities we recommend is visiting the cheetah tracking project.

A private game drive at Namiri Plains Retreat while on safari with Ker & Downey Africa

Namiri Plains Retreat – perfect if you and your family or friends want a deluxe safari with your own personal space

In 2014 Asilia Africa resumed operations of Namiri Plains camp and today there are large numbers of lion, cheetah, and leopards roaming the eastern Serengeti.  When returning from your private safari, relax around the dedicated fire pit – the perfect ending with pre-dinner drinks and snacks to add to the experience. Namiri proudly provides a private guide, a 6-seater vehicle, a chef and a host.

This retreat has 2 spacious en-suite bedrooms that boast a large shower and soaking bathtub. The bathroom is positioned to take in the phenomenal views of the plains outside.

Bailey’s Banda at Beho Beho | Nyerere National Park

This is a luxury private villa haven, in Nyerere National Park, which is also part of Selous Game Reserve. Beho Beho main camp has a long history with Selous as it was the first camp to be built here. As with the other properties featured in this Little Black Book of private safaris in Tanzania, Bailey’s Banda provides a private game drive vehicle and a dedicated expert and extremely knowledgeable guide plus an exclusive private boat on the nearby Lake Tagalala and also boasts an in-house chef for Bailey’s own kitchen. It comes with 100% flexibility to do activities, for the times that you request as game activities are tailored to your requirements.

We love the location on the hillside with sweeping views of the surroundings including the valley and hippo pools.  The private 2-bedroomed villa or opulent house comes with a refreshing swimming pool that is wrapped by a large sun deck with a wide undercover verandah, perfect for those balmy summer evenings to dine outside.

Bailey’s Banda at Beho Beho with a swimming pool and deck, one of the lodges in Tanzania with Ker & Downey Africa

For a luxurious safari experience – Bailey’s Banda at Beho Beho
The private 2-bedroomed villa or opulent house comes with a refreshing swimming pool

For a magical stay for the safari aficionado with sightings including lions, hippos, zebras, elephants, wildebeest and giraffes, we recommend Bailey’s Banda at Beho Beho.

For a magical stay for the safari aficionado

Bailey’s Banda bedroom with sweeping views, one of the lodges in Tanzania with Ker & Downey Africa

This is one of our recommended private safari lodges in Tanzania

Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp | Tarangire National Park

This is the second property we are featuring in the 25-000 hectares Tarangire. This property however is not an exclusive use camp like Forest Chem Chem featured above, this camp has 20 separate luxury tents, Each raised tent has a thatched roof that is slightly raised above the tent’s roof for extra shade during the hot summer months. One is built right next to a large ancient Baobab Tree and some are built on an elevated wooden platform.

Raised tented suite at Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp, one of the lodges in Tanzania with Ker & Downey Africa

Each raised tent has a thatched roof that is slightly raised above the tent’s roof for extra shade during the hot summer months

The main areas include a dining and lounge area which leads out to a fire-pit on a large wooden deck and also a game viewing raised deck with fantastic views of this concession and river below. There is also a gift shop that stocks handmade items from the surrounding Maasai villages.

The fire pit at Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp, one of the lodges in Tanzania with Ker & Downey Africa

Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp is located just 2.7 miles from the main entrance of Tarangire National Park
The main areas include a dining and lounge area which leads out to a fire-pit on a large wooden deck

For a booking of 4 guests and more you are guaranteed to have a full day private safari 4×4 vehicle and ranger with tracker. Along with this amazing opportunity, they also provide complimentary laundry service. Tarangire is the sixth-largest national park in Africa and offers brilliant game viewing in this wildlife-rich national park.

The expert team at Ker & Downey® Africa is ready to book your private safari in Tanzania.

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lodges in Tanzania

lodges in Tanzania

lodges in Tanzania

lodges in Tanzania

barrons

lodges in Tanzania

lodges in Tanzania

lodges in Tanzania

lodges in Tanzania