10 Incredible Safari Lodges In Tanzania, Kenya and Botswana
Budget safari lodges are the most popular choice for most first time safari-goers. In my experience, you really don’t have to pay top dollar for accommodation with all the creature comforts and even some unique features. All you need is plenty of information and a clear idea in your head of what you’re looking for. This handy guide to the best mid-range safari accommodation across Africa will help you to do your research and find some great deals, without sacrificing any comfort!
Tanzania Safari Lodges
Northern Circuit – Budget Safari Lodges
- Serengeti Kati Kati Camp – from US$234pp/night
Don’t let the tents fool you. Serengeti’s Kati Kati camp is right in the heart of the game reserve and offers all the creature comforts of home, including flushing toilets, ensuite showers and verandahs for game viewing right from the camp.
- Ngorongoro Serena – from US$334pp/night
Premium: Standard rooms offer basic hotel-style facilities, with private balconies overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater. Children’s meals and in-house babysitting services are available.
- Ndutu Safari Lodge – from US$123pp/night
The Ndutu Safari Lodge is comprised of a collection of stone cottages constructed from local materials. With double, triple or quadruple rooms, it’s a great spot for families. The lodge also offers a Predator Course, which is a deep dive into predator behaviour, biology and how to track.
Southern Circuit – Budget Safari Lodges
- Sand River Selous – from US$760pp/night
Situated on the Selous Game Reserve, Sand River Selous has a vintage safari vibe, with its traditional rustic rooms and balconies. Overlooking a river inhabited by hippos and crocs, you’ll feel as if you’re truly in the wild. The price tag is a little higher than your mid-range accommodation in the Northern Circuit, but you’ll experience a feeling of rugged freedom in this amazing environment.
- Kigelia Ruaga – from US$690pp/night
With permanent family-size tents featuring twin rooms, a traditional thatched communal mess area, flush toilets and a campfire, this is a luxury camping site in a remote area. Children must be aged over eight to stay here.
Kenya Safari Lodges
- Zebra Plains Tented Camp – from US$200pp/night
Zebra Plains Safari Lodge is located in the heart of the Masai Mara and is the perfect spot for your next great migration safari. The camp is located on the protected lands inhabited by the Maasai tribe, and 90% of the camp’s employees are Maasai people, offering an authentic and deeply personal experience. Zebra’s luxury tents come with a comfortable bed, a spacious en-suite bathroom, fitted with a flushing toilet and a hot water shower, a private balcony for animal watching and room service.
- Loldia House, Naivasha – from US$350pp/night
Loldia House is an old farmhouse with main rooms, a number of small cottages on the grounds and a larger lodge called Top Cottage situated up on a hill, perfect for families or other groups who are travelling together.
- Lake Nakuru Lodge – from US$155pp/night
Located in the hills of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru Safari Lodge offers spectacular views of Lake Nakuru National Park. With a mission for looking after the environment, Lake Nakuru Lodge offers a range of double, twin, triple and family rooms. It also has a pool, bar, restaurant and spa.
Botswana Safari Lodges
- Chobe River Lodge – from US$275pp/night
Located right on the Chobe River, Chobe River Safari Lodges offers double or twin rooms with extra sleeper couches for children. Boat cruises, game drives, mobile safaris and scenic flights are all offered by the lodge.
- Kadizora Camp – from US$450pp/night
Premium: Overlooking a seasonal floodplain in the Okavango Delta, Kadizora Safari Camp offers both standard and luxury tents, with raised walkways over the floodplain to take you around the camp to the pool and dining and bar areas, which feature a sandy fire pit.
- Mobile camps
Adventure Out Loud offers mobile tent safaris in Botswana, which are packed down every day and set up in a new location each night. This ensures you are always in the heart of the action, fully immersing in the sounds of the African jungle. Our mobile camps are very comfortable and include all of the essentials, like a good bed, a toilet and a dining tent. You will also have a private chef cooking nutritious meals for you each day.
