I get this question a lot: where to stay in Tanzania for safari. The answer depends on what parks you want to visit, your budget, and how much time you have. There are places that make life easier and places that make it harder. If you pick wrong, you spend more time in a car than in the bush. If you pick right, you wake up to elephants outside your window.
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Key Points
- Base yourself near the parks you actually want to visit. Don’t rely on long transfers.
- Budget, mid-range, and luxury stays differ in more than price — food, location, and guides change too.
- Be ready for compromises: comfort in town often means more driving; comfort near parks often means higher cost.
Where to Stay in Tanzania for Safari Access and Comfort
The first thing to understand is that Tanzania is huge. The northern and southern circuits are almost like two different countries when it comes to logistics. If you only have a week, don’t try to cover both. I once tried squeezing Serengeti and Ruaha into one trip. I lost two days to travel. Never again.
Arusha – Starting Point, Not a Base
Most people land in Arusha or nearby Kilimanjaro airport. It’s the gateway. But it’s not a safari destination itself. Staying here makes sense for a night to rest after your flight, not for your whole trip. You’ll find plenty of budget hotels ($30–$60), mid-range lodges ($100–$200), and some luxury options ($300+). They are fine, but the city traffic and noise don’t compare to being near the parks. Use it as a springboard, not a hub. I once made the mistake of booking three nights here to “save money.” Instead, I burned hours every day driving out and back. Don’t repeat that.
If you’re curious about smaller day trips from here, Arusha National Park is nearby, but it’s not on the same level as Serengeti or Ngorongoro. More on that park here: Arusha National Park.
Serengeti – The Classic Choice
If you want the true safari feel, you stay inside or right outside Serengeti National Park. It’s vast. Driving in and out daily from outside the park borders wastes time. Staying inside means you’re close to the action when animals are most active — dawn and dusk.
Budget stays ($50–$80) usually mean basic tented camps outside the gates. Mid-range ($150–$300) gives you permanent tented lodges with en suite bathrooms. Luxury ($500–$1,500+) can get you everything from gourmet meals to plunge pools overlooking migration routes. One night I woke at 3 a.m. to hyenas whooping right outside my tent. Terrifying in the moment, but I wouldn’t trade it for a hotel room back in town.
If you’re thinking about the timing of your trip, here’s a guide to the best time to safari in Tanzania. If you want to weigh up which park is best for your route, check my breakdown of the best parks for safari in Tanzania.
Ngorongoro – Close but Crowded
Staying near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is both a privilege and a hassle. The crater is incredible, but the rim lodges are expensive. Even basic lodges start at $200–$300 a night. Luxury climbs fast to $1,000+. Views are stunning, but fog is common. I’ve sat through whole mornings staring at white mist instead of the crater. If budget is tight, it can be smarter to stay in Karatu, a town about 30 minutes away. Rooms there start at $50 and you still reach the crater early enough.
The trade-off is comfort versus cost. Up on the rim, you’re paying for access and the view. Down in Karatu, you save money and get a livelier town feel.
Tarangire and Lake Manyara – Easy Short Stays
Both Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park are easy to reach by road from Arusha. This makes them great for short safaris. Tarangire is known for elephants and baobab trees. Lake Manyara has flamingos and tree-climbing lions, though sightings aren’t guaranteed.
Budget camps near Tarangire start around $40. Mid-range lodges go for $150–$250. Luxury lodges climb over $600. One thing to know: Tarangire gets dusty. Bring gear you don’t mind ruining. I learned this the hard way after my camera bag turned orange inside and out.
Manyara lodges sit on the escarpment with great views, but you’ll drive down into the park every day. It’s quick, but don’t expect wildlife at your doorstep.
Southern Circuit – Ruaha and Nyerere
The southern parks — Ruaha National Park and Nyerere National Park — are wilder and less crowded. Getting there usually means a bush flight. I once flew into Ruaha in a 12-seat plane, landing on a dirt strip with giraffes grazing nearby. It was unforgettable.
Budget isn’t really an option here. Mid-range camps run $200–$400 per night. Luxury hits $800–$1,200. What you pay for is solitude. On some game drives, you won’t see another vehicle all day. That’s worth the premium if you’ve already done the northern circuit. For travelers considering unique experiences, walking safaris in Tanzania are often offered in these parks and add a whole new perspective.
Western Tanzania – For the Determined
Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe Stream National Park are where you go to see chimpanzees, but reaching them takes serious effort.
Mahale requires a flight to Kigoma, a boat ride along Lake Tanganyika, and then a trek to reach camp. It’s costly — expect $700+ a night, often full board but excluding flights.
Gombe is slightly easier but still remote, usually reached by boat from Kigoma.
I met a couple who came just for chimps and they spent nearly half their trip in transit. The primate encounters were powerful, but they admitted the travel grind wore them down.
These parks are rewarding if your priority is chimpanzees and you can budget both time and money. If you want a classic safari with lions, elephants, and wide savannahs, the west can feel like a detour rather than the centerpiece of your trip.
Budget and Comfort Trade-Offs
If you’re on a budget, think carefully. Choosing outside-the-park lodging saves money but costs time. I’ve put together a breakdown here: budget safaris in Tanzania. For some travelers, it’s the only way. For others, paying more upfront for location means getting more actual safari hours.
Luxury safaris are a different world, and I’ve written about them here: luxury safaris in Tanzania. But the middle ground is often where most travelers land. $200–$400 per night will usually give you solid comfort without extravagance. If you’re traveling with kids, see my guide on family safaris in Tanzania to know which lodges are more welcoming.
If you’re not sure what style fits you, think about your goals. Photographers may want to plan around photo safaris in Tanzania. First-time visitors might consider small group safaris in Tanzania to share costs without losing too much flexibility.
Final Thoughts Before You Book
Think of your stay as part of the safari, not just a bed. The closer you are to the animals, the more you see. The further you are, the more you drive. Costs scale with comfort and access. Plan your route carefully. Don’t try to see everything in one trip. And if you want to read more about specific itineraries and logistics, start here: safaris in Tanzania.
For park-specific details, the official government site is useful: Tanzania National Parks.
