The 7 Best National Parks in Tanzania

Forest Chem Chem is an exclusive-use camp set within a secluded pocket of fever trees along the Tarangire River within Chem Chem’s 20,000 acres of private land. The camp consists of two vintage-style safari tents and one two-bedroom family tent, all with indoor and outdoor showers. Accommodating up to six adults and two children, it is perfect for families or small groups looking for an intimate safari experience. A soft yellow, grey and black colour scheme is carried throughout the camp, and there is an elegant lounge tent, a fire pit and outdoor swing bed. As well as morning and afternoon game drives, there is the option to zoom in on the smaller details on a walking safari, visit a local Maasai village and join in with cooking around the camp fire. Start the day right with a walk up the hills to watch the sun rise over the entire Chem Chem concession and finish on a high with sundowners around Lake Burunge.

Deep in the Serengeti National Park is where you'll find Wilderness Usawa Camp, a mobile camp that follows the wildebeest migration.

Shadowed by the stunning Mahale Mountains with views over Lake Tanganyika, Greystoke Mahale is an extremely unique lodge and quite honestly, a bit of a gem. The entire camp is built with wood from reclaimed wrecked or retired dhows and old fisherman’s canoes. The thatched roofs are designed using old palm leaves and paired with a distinctive design, this lodge provides a very different and wholesome experience on the shores of the lake. With just six wooden chalets at the base of the forest line, you will be able to enjoy a really exclusive service in a rather romantic setting. Each room has an upstairs deck where you can enjoy a beautiful view over the lake and in the evening wonder down the beach to the main boma area to enjoy some special sundowners looking over to the mountains of Congo beyond. Each morning you will be briefed on the movement of the families of chimps in the mountains behind the lodge and either chose to follow them into the forest or simply relax on the stunning white beaches around camp. You could search for the smaller creatures on the forest paths or swim in the stunning waterfalls up in the mountain, or indeed spend some time actually on the lake, enjoying the spattered glare of the sun on these enticing waters.

Chem Chem Lodge is located in its own 4,000-acre conservation-focused concession between Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks. Eight luxury tented suites are widely spaced to ensure absolute privacy, sat on the edge of a palm island overlooking Lake Manyara waters. One is a family suite with two bedrooms. In centre is the main lodge, shaped to reflects the form of a flamingo with its wings spread, which includes a dining room, lounge, library, viewing tower, swimming pool, spa, sundeck and its own spectacular view over Lake Manyara. Expect a very personalised service, and a focus on ‘slow safari’ where you enjoy the wildlife, culture, landscapes of the reserve and national parks at a relaxed and unhurried pace, to really savour and make the most of it.

Jabali Ridge is located atop a rocky kopje, within the wildlife-rich Ruaha National Park. Surrounded by boulders, palms and baobab trees, the camp consists of eight suites and one private house. Suites feature private balconies from which you can look out over the Mwagusi River, and louvered shutters can be opened up to really bring you close to your surroundings, or closed for privacy. En suite bathrooms are complete with flushing toilets and hot running water. Enjoy delicious food cooked by the camp’s chefs, including homemade bread, cakes, biscuits and ice cream. Breakfast can be enjoyed out on your game drive or back at camp, then lunch is enjoyed in the mess tent while dinner is a three-course affair served under the stars. When you’re not out spotting wildlife – the area is home to large numbers of lion, leopard, cheetah and elepahnt – you can take a dip in the infinity pool, enjoy a refreshing drink on your private deck or relax with a book in the lounge.

Not for the faint hearted but rather more suited to the truly adventurous who are looking for total absorption into the natural world and a vast African landscape virtually to themselves. This remarkable tented camp is located in an unbelievable game catchment area and offers you some prime game sightings. The camp has only six spacious and comfortable en-suite tents all elevated on brand new wooden platforms and look out over the wide open Chada Plain. The bathrooms have hot bucket showers to wash away the dust of the day and are delightfully ‘bush-deluxe’. Surrounded by acacia and tamarind trees, the camp feels a bit wild and rugged but the set up is stylish and nothing short of spectacular for its isolated location. Walking out into this untamed land you might feel a little bit exposed, but rest assured that the guides you will be striding out with know these lands well and can read the wilderness as if it were their own. You will also have an armed scout in company just for your peace of mind and as you wander in between the trees on the lookout for elephants that are so quiet they seem to tip-toe, this might be the most exhilarating experience of your life. And, when you are not out in the vehicles scanning for beasts or bustling through the scrubland you’ll be enjoying delicious meals and wines in the comfort of the camp.