How to Choose the Best Safari Lodge for Your Safari

How to Choose the Best Safari Lodge for Your Safari

Going on a safari is the best way to spend your holiday. And Tanzania is a thriving country for wildlife safaris. Home to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and many others,Tanzania boasts some of the best safari parks. However, there’s one thing that can either ruin or elevate your experience: accommodation. In this article, we discuss five tips for choosing the best safari lodge (or camp) for your safari.

• Consider the location of the safari lodge or camp.

Some lodges are found inside the park, while others lie outside the park. Camps inside the park are more rewarding in terms of close-to-nature wildlife encounters and experiencing smells and sounds of nature. However, they often offer a few activities, including game drives and bush walks.

If you aren’t ready to sacrifice morning drives and the feel of nature (sounds, smells, and views), then stay outside the park. These camps often offer flexibility and a variety of activities, such as cultural tours, village walks, and more. Lake Manyara and Tarangire offer the best accommodation options outside the park.

For the case of Serengeti National Park, we don’t recommend staying outside the park. By the way, it’s not practical to do so. Why? Hang on, we’ll explain everything. Serengeti is far from towns: Karatu, which has a lot of places to stay, is a 4-hour drive from central Serengeti. And it would not be practical to spend a full day driving in the Serengeti and then stay in Karatu overnight unless it’s your last day.

Therefore, one good option is staying within the park, and that may come with some downsides in terms of cost. For instance, a concession fee is a must for guests staying in camps or lodges inside the park. The same applies to other parks and reserves.

• Take a glance at their children’s policy.

Traveling with kids comes with some strain, especially when selecting the best place to stay. Take a look at the lodge’s children’s policy before you confirm booking. And if possible, check with our travel advisors to see if the lodge is a perfect match for your family safari. We can also do the background check on your behalf if you allow us to.

But generally, small camps with a special family suite or tent work better for families than large chain hotels. These camps may be charging a little bit higher than 70-room safari lodges, but they are worth the price. And to add to the thrill, they’re often located in remote locations, allowing for private game drives and immersive experiences.

• How big is your budget?

Different lodges charge different rates depending on the amenities and services rendered. We categorize them into budget, midrange, and luxury camps or lodges. Budget safari lodges are good if you want to save during your safari. You don’t have to break your bank account to go on a trip. They offer basic services like meals, good communal dining or lounges, bathrooms, toilets, and beds.

Midrange camps add to the experience spa treatments, swimming pools, a gym, and a private deck (for some). Large lodges fall into this budget range. Luxury camps often come with extraordinary services and private experiences. Think of private pools, verandahs, dining areas, or enhanced telescopes for stargazing. Some have their private concessions surrounding them. For instance, Singita Sasakwa Lodge is within the Singita Grumeti Reserve (350,000 acres), Mwiba Lodge is in the Mwiba Wildlife Reserve (125,000 acres), and Klein’s Camp has its own 24,700-acre concession. In these concessions, night game drives, bush walks, and off-road game drives are permitted in addition to the comfort offered at the lodge.

So, where to stay? If you’re ready to splurge, go for a luxury camp. And for the case of the Serengeti, staying in a private concession gives you the flexibility to explore the ecosystem. But if you want a close-to-nature experience or to save, budget safari lodges work best. Basic camping is also the best thing to do.

• Check reviews and recommendations.

Some previous guests share their thoughts about lodges or camps on platforms like TripAdvisor and SafariBookings. Visit these sites before confirming your booking. Focus East Africa Tours can do all this for you, but no problem if you do a little digging about your favorite hotel or lodge.

If reviews aren’t enough, visit the lodge’s website and see if they have any certifications or awards. Certified camps or lodges, especially for their eco-friendly nature, are a good option. Another way to check for reviews is through friends or family who have visited your favorite destination very recently.

• Check for sustainability and giving back.

Nature is very important for everyone. Your lodge should not stress much on the financial side: it should be committed to protecting nature for future generations and to boosting the local economy. Are they sourcing their supplies from local producers or importing? How do they handle waste? And does their architecture reflect sustainability or not?

If you’re an eco-conscious traveler, then tented camps are good for you. Don’t be satisfied with the phrase “ We support communities…” Ask for real projects they’re currently supporting. If none, maybe they are just talking the walk and not walking it.

Your safari starts with the best choice of the place to stay. At Focus East Africa Tours, we guide visitors to world-famous destinations like the Serengeti , Tarangire , Lake Manyara , Ngorongoro Crater and other destinations. Our experts will match you with the accommodation of your interest. Let’s start planning.