Luxury safari packages
We plan luxury safaris to order. Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and we will send a free quote within a day. No prior payment is required.
Plan your tripWhat makes a safari luxury
A luxury safari in Tanzania is less about gold taps and more about space, time and attention. You stay in small camps and lodges with few guests, in places chosen for the view and the wildlife around them. You travel in a private vehicle with your own guide, so the day runs at your pace: stay an extra hour with a leopard in a tree, or leave before sunrise while other vehicles are still at breakfast.
It also means less time on the road. Light aircraft link Arusha with the Serengeti and other parks, turning a long day of driving into a short, scenic flight and giving you more hours among the animals.
- Privacy: your own vehicle and guide, and a plan built around your interests.
- Location: camps inside or right beside the parks, often in quieter areas.
- Comfort: spacious rooms or tents with proper beds and en-suite bathrooms, good food and attentive staff.
- Time: flights between parks where they make sense, so you spend your days on safari.
How the levels compare
Every level gives you the same parks and the same wildlife. What changes is where you sleep, how you travel and how private the experience is.
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where you sleep | Public campsites or simple lodges | Comfortable lodges and permanent tented camps | Small, well-placed camps and top lodges |
| Bathroom | Often shared at campsites | Private, en-suite | Private, en-suite, often with a view |
| Vehicle | Shared or private 4x4 | Private 4x4, or a small shared group | Private 4x4 with your own guide |
| Between parks | By road | By road, with flights as an option | Often by light aircraft |
| Best for | Adventure, and lowest cost | Comfort and value | Privacy, time and special occasions |
A guide to what is typical. Each trip page shows exactly what is included.
Who a luxury safari suits
- Honeymooners and couples celebrating something special.
- Families who want private vehicles, family tents and a flexible daily rhythm.
- Photographers who need time, the best light and a guide who will wait for the moment.
- First-time visitors with limited days, for whom flights make a short trip feel complete.
- Returning travellers looking for quieter corners of Tanzania.
Where a luxury safari can take you
The Serengeti
Endless plains, big cats and the Great Migration. Camps in the far north sit close to the Mara River crossings in the dry months, while the south is the place to be for the calving season early in the year.
Ngorongoro Crater
A vast volcanic caldera with a remarkable concentration of wildlife on its floor. Lodges on the rim look straight down into it, and an early start gets you into the crater near opening time.
Tarangire and Lake Manyara
Tarangire is known for its big elephant herds and ancient baobabs. Lake Manyara adds a groundwater forest, birdlife and a dramatic rift valley setting.
Nyerere and Ruaha
The southern parks are wilder and far less visited. Boat safaris on the Rufiji River in Nyerere and the big predators of Ruaha suit anyone who has already seen the north, or who simply wants fewer vehicles.
Where you stay
Luxury accommodation in Tanzania comes in a few styles, and many trips mix them:
- Tented camps: canvas walls and the sounds of the bush, with real beds, en-suite bathrooms and a private deck. This is the classic safari experience.
- Lodges: permanent buildings, often with a pool and sweeping views. A good choice for families and for guests who prefer solid walls.
- Seasonal camps: smaller camps that move to follow the herds, putting you close to the action at the right time of year.
Tell us what you value most, whether that is the view, a pool or being deep in the wilderness, and we will suggest camps that fit.
Experiences to add
- Hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti at sunrise, followed by breakfast in the bush.
- Walking safaris with an armed ranger, where permitted, to see the small details you miss from a vehicle.
- Sundowners and bush meals away from camp.
- Cultural visits to meet Maasai and other local communities.
- Zanzibar at the end of the trip, for white sand, Stone Town and a few days of doing very little.
When to go
Tanzania is a year-round destination, and the best month depends on what you want to see:
- June to October: dry weather and easy game viewing, with river crossings in the northern Serengeti from about July. This is the busiest and usually the most expensive time.
- January to March: warm, green and the calving season in the southern Serengeti.
- April and May: the long rains. Some camps close, but the parks are lush and very quiet.
- November and December: short rains, fresh grass and fewer visitors.
The best small camps can fill many months ahead for the high season, so it pays to plan early. See our month-by-month guide.
Getting there
Most northern safaris begin at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or at Arusha. Dar es Salaam (DAR) is the main gateway for the southern parks, and Zanzibar (ZNZ) has its own international airport. Light aircraft have strict baggage limits, usually for soft bags only, so ask us before you pack. Our travel guides cover visas, health and packing.
Questions about luxury safaris
Is a luxury safari worth the extra cost?
The animals are the same at every level. You are paying for privacy, location, comfort and time. If those matter to you, or if this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, many travellers feel it is.
Is it suitable for children?
Often, yes. Private vehicles and family rooms help a lot, but some camps have minimum ages, so tell us your children's ages when you ask for a quote.
Can I combine it with Zanzibar?
Yes, and many guests do. A short flight connects the safari parks with the island.
Is it safe?
Safari with an experienced guide is a well-established way to travel. Follow your guide's instructions, stay in the vehicle unless told otherwise and be escorted around camp after dark where staff advise it. Check your own government's travel advice and speak to your doctor about health precautions before you go.
Can you change a trip to suit me?
Yes. Treat the trips on this page as starting points. Tell us your dates and what you would love to see, and we will send a free quote. No prior payment is required.