Hotels in Tanzania: What are the best areas to stay?

When we travel to a different country, the perfect moment of relaxation and disconnection is usually directly linked to the accommodation we are staying in. That is why it is common that searching for that peaceful corner takes us quite a long time and that many questions arise. Hotels in Tanzania are no exception, since these trips tend to be long. So, the hotels in Tanzania that we choose become a crucial part of our adventure.

But don’t worry, in this post we will tell you which are the best hotels in each of the most visited cities and areas of Tanzania. Read carefully the description of each of the accommodation we propose and look for the one that best suits your needs. Don’t miss the best tips to prepare your perfect trip to Tanzania! Just relax and enjoy the wonders that await you in the African continent.

What are the best Hotels in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital?

Dar es Salaam is the most populous and largest city in Tanzania. However, it is not the most touristy destination as such in the country. Rather, Dar es Salaam is often used as a strategic location or starting point to discover the surrounding islands.

1. CBD Hotel

CBD Hotel is a beautiful 4-star hotel. This accommodation is one of the perfect Tanzania hotels if you want to make the most of your vacation. All rooms have wonderful views of the city, and are also equipped with a TV, air conditioning and a minibar. The CBD hotel also has a dining area with an electric kettle and fridge, making it very convenient for a multi-day trip to Tanzania. The accommodation has a swimming pool, a terrace, a restaurant and even a gym for all its guests. The price per night starts at 70€ for a double room for two people. And breakfast is included in the price. The truth is that it is a very competitive price for all the facilities it offers.

2. The Slipway Hotel

The Slipway Hotel is only 7 kilometers from Dar es Salaam city center and 20 kilometers from Julius Nyerere International Airport. It is one of the best located hotels in Tanzania when it comes to getting to know the country in depth. The price for a double room for two people is around 120 euros per night.

The hotel offers a private beach for all guests and also has an outdoor pool, allowing you to cool off after a long day of sightseeing. Within the accommodation itself you can do many water sports such as diving, snorkeling, canoeing, and fishing. It is an accommodation that has all kinds of facilities: a barbecue area, a restaurant, a bar and a spa, and WiFi is free! The rooms, in addition to stunning sea views, have air conditioning, flat-screen satellite TV, a seating area, a minibar and a balcony. You’re going to feel very comfortable!

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What are the best Hotels in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania?

The Serengeti National Park is one of the most visited areas in the country. For this reason it offers a wide range of hotels in Tanzania. When looking for information, you will realize that there are multiple accommodation alternatives, oriented to all budgets. There you can find anything from tented camps to even exclusive luxury hotels. It is worth mentioning that, many of these accommodations also include airport transfer and a guide to the reserve itself. Make sure you are well-informed!

1. Africa Safari Maasai Boma Camping

Africa Safari Maasai Boma Camping is a very simple accommodation but quite economical at the same time. And also allows you to be in direct contact with nature. Not only it has tents, but also offers cabins if you wish. The prices start at 30 euros. We should mention that this is a much lower price than other accommodations in the area. The Africa Safari Maasai Boma Camping has the amenities that other large hotels offer, such as a restaurant and airport transfer. If you are adventurous, this is your perfect choice.

2. Meliá Serengeti Lodgea

The Meliá Serengeti Lodgea is one of the most impressive and luxurious hotels in Tanzania. It is located in the heart of the Serengeti National Park, a simply privileged location. Therefore, if what you want is to live the Serengeti experience in a totally exclusive space, we recommend you to stay in this impressive hotel. It is an accommodation in which all rooms have amazing views of the savannah. It also offers all kinds of luxuries within the complex: a swimming pool, a spa, a fitness room and a restaurant. However, the price is one of the highest in the area, 700 euros a night for a double room including breakfast. But if you want to treat yourself to luxury, we highly recommend it.

What are the best Hotels in Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania?

Lake Tanganyika is another must stop on your trip to Tanzania. It is the second deepest lake in the world. To find hotels, it’s worth noting that the two closest cities to Lake Tanganyika are Kigoma and Mahale. And it’s precisely there where you’ll find several options for overnight stays. We tell you which are our favorites!

1. Sunset Vista Hotel

The Sunset Vista Hotel is a great choice of a hotel in Tanzania to visit the Lake Tanganyika area. It has all kinds of amenities for travelers: a garden, a swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar. In addition, some of the rooms have an amazing relaxing hot tub, ideal for unwinding after a day of sightseeing. They also have some larger suites, to make your stay an even more exclusive experience. The price per night in a double room for two people starts at 40€ and the buffet breakfast is included in the price.

2. Green View Resort & Tours

Among the wide range of hotels in Tanzania, the Green View Resort & Tours has a very special charm. It is a very complete accommodation for tourists who want to visit Lake Tanganyika. It has a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant available to all guests. In addition, the rooms are quite spacious and have wifi, air conditioning and a private bathroom. The Green View Resort & Tours is quite economical for all that it offers. The price per night for a double room for two people starts from 30 euros and breakfast is included.

What to eat in Tanzania

The diversity that Tanzania offers in all its aspects (scenic and cultural, among others) is also reflected in its cuisine. However, the typical food of Tanzania is famous for having a clear oriental influence within the classic African food, in addition to having a delicious variety of raw product, fresh fish and seafood. Thus in the Tanzanian cuisine you will find the imprint of the African continent along with all the traders who have visited it: Chinese, Indians, and even Arabs. It is a simply delicious cuisine, you have to give it a try! We recommend you try the ndizi na nyama, the ugali, the nyama choma, or the kachumbari.

In addition, it is worth noting that most of the accommodation options we recommended also offer the chance to try local food, although international dishes are also available there. To discover more about Tanzanian food, check out our post.

What should I know before a trip to Tanzania

• In Tanzania, the official languages are Swahili and English
• Visa and passport are required to enter Tanzania.
• The official currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling.
• Although in the more touristy areas it is possible to find places that accept credit cards, it is advisable to carry cash for some restaurants.
• Tanzania has a tropical climate with pleasant temperatures almost all year round. However, you should be prepared for possible climatic variations depending on the region you are visiting, the altitude, and the time of year you visit.
• Drink only bottled water and avoid consuming raw foods from unreliable sources to avoid stomach problems.
• Be covered for any possible medical emergency: travel insured.
• Tanzania is a safe destination, but we recommend that you take care with your belongings and avoid going out alone at night.
• Don’t forget the sunscreen.
• The best time to travel to Tanzania is during the dry season.

How to prepare what to see on your trip and discover the best hotels in Tanzania?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers the best hotels in Tanzania.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Tanzania