The 5 Best Luxury Safaris In Tanzania, According To Travelers

If you're a traveler with an adventurous spirit and a propensity for luxurious experiences, you've likely dreamed of embarking on an African safari. For generations, these opulent expeditions through Africa's breathtaking landscapes have attracted jet-setters from around the world. Even the late Queen Elizabeth opted to take a luxurious safari-style trip with her husband before she was crowned back in 1952. Safari means "journey" in Swahili, and if you embark on a safari you're in for an epic journey indeed.

A luxurious African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime vacation that sits high on many travelers' bucket list, but with so many options, choosing the best packages or providers can be challenging. If you're looking to finally plan your dream trip, consider heading to Tanzania. Located in East Africa, and bordered by the Indian Ocean, Tanzania is one of the best places to visit on the continent. It's home to gorgeous natural scenery; mountains, beaches, wetlands, forests, and plains await your exploration. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's largest mountain, is located there as well. The locals are generally welcoming to tourists, and the food is a delicious blend of African, Indian, and Arabic flavors.

The country is full of national parks and game reserves, perfect for safari adventures. Serengeti National Park, located in north-central Tanzania, is considered one of the top destinations in the world for safaris. All of the "Big Five" species — elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and rhinoceros — can be found here. Clearly, the East African nation is an ideal destination for your safari, and there are multiple luxurious trip options to choose from. We reviewed safaris all over Tanzania to bring you the absolute best choices when it comes to booking a luxury safari experiences.

With a focus on sustainability, and a presence in some of the world's wildest and most fascinating destinations, it's no wonder that &Beyond is a top choice for adventurous travelers. For over 20 years &Beyond has offered unique experiences and beautiful accommodations throughout Tanzania. You can choose between staying at one of their lodges and booking day-long safaris, or book a multi-night safari through Tanzania's underrated adventure destinations.

According to Niall Anderson, the Chief Operating Officer of the Africa Lodges, &Beyond was one of the first operators in Tanzania, with lodges in many of the country's most desirable locations. The company focuses on three pillars: care of the land, care of the wildlife, and care of the people. They work closely with the Maasai people living in East Africa and employ local guides that offer guests a unique perspective.

The eight-night Treasures of Tanzania Safari is an excellent choice for guests looking for the ultimate luxury safari experience. It starts in the town of Arusha near Mount Kilimanjaro where you can explore a coffee plantation, and includes a stay at the opulent Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, where you'll be sleeping in gorgeous tree house suites, plunging in the refreshing swimming pool, and going on game drives to spot tree climbing lions and herds of elephants. Your safari will also take you on a journey to the Ngorongoro Crater. You can choose between accommodations at two epic lodges, and enjoy more game drives to see rare black rhinos in the wild. The final days of your trip will take you to Serengeti National Park. You'll stay at &Beyond's traditional safari camps or luxury lodges and enjoy multiple excursions through the fantastic scenery. Safari packages start around $10,000.

Four Seasons has long reigned supreme in the world of luxury travel, with more than 130 hotels and resorts around the globe. The opulent chain worth the splurge with it's incredible service and elegant accommodations in beautiful locations. The safari lodge in Serengeti is no exception. Staying at the Four Seasons isn't a traditional tent safari experience where you switch locations and visit multiple parks, but with a prime location in the heart of Serengeti National Park you won't need to journey far to catch a glimpse of Africa's natural beauty and wildlife.

The lodge is constructed on raised platforms and walkways, and sits right next to a busy watering hole, so you have the chance to see wildlife without ever leaving the hotel. When you're ready to explore more of the surrounding area, you can book a game drive excursion for an additional fee. There are half day and full day options. You can book day-long safaris through different parts of the Serengeti, head to the nearby Ngorongoro Crater, or visit traditional Maasai villages. There's even an option to take in the savannah from a bird's eye view on a hot air balloon safari. If you'd like to experience everything the Four Seasons Safari Lodge has to offer, consider booking a seven-day safari adventure. The hotel will work with you on creating a custom itinerary with multiple game drives, excursions, and plenty of time to relax and enjoy the luxurious lodge.

After your excursions, head back to the Four Seasons property where you can enjoy decadent meals. The spa is the perfect place to relax and unwind with a variety of wellness and beauty treatments. Rooms and suites sleep up to six guests and some have views overlooking the watering hole.

Abercrombie and Kent is one of the oldest and most well-established safari tour companies in East Africa. They've been in operation for more than 50 years, and remain one of the best options when it comes to luxury safaris in Tanzania. The guides and drivers employed by Abercrombie and Kent speak a variety of languages, including English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, and Japanese so that they can accommodate international travelers from all over the world. Throughout the experience you'll stay at some of the top-rated luxury lodges around Tanzania, or in cozy safari tents in Abercrombie and Kent's mobile camps.

There are multiple safari tours to choose from with durations ranging from eight to 14 nights. Many expeditions visit both Tanzania and Kenya, making this an ideal safari for adventure lovers. You'll travel with a small group of around 18 people. The eight-day Tanzania Safari in Style tour is the perfect option for those seeking a traditional safari experience with plenty of luxury along the way. You'll visit locations like Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park and sleep in comfortable safari tents with glamorous amenities. Travelers have raved about the food, including lodge and picnic meals. 

Throughout the journey you'll have the opportunity to view some of Africa's most incredible wildlife in their natural habitat. Expect to see elephants, lions, giraffes, and gazelles from the comfortable safari vehicles. One of the coolest parts of the experience is camping in a prime location on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater where you can enjoy early access and avoid crowds of other tourists. Prices for the trip start at around $12,300 per person based on double occupancy.

If you're a fan of customizing your travel experience to fit your preferences, as opposed to booking a pre-made itinerary, go2africa is an excellent option. The African-owned company offers safari experiences all over the continent, including Tanzania, and has received multiple awards. The company gained recognition at the prestigious World Travel Awards for six consecutive years, and was named Africa's Leading Safari Company in 2023 by the organization.

When booking a safari with go2africa, your trip will be tailor made just for you. You'll have to spend a bit of time reviewing the various options and working on your itinerary, but if you're embarking on your dream trip, it's totally worth it. All safaris include four or five star accommodations, meals, drinks, internal flights, and transportation throughout your journey. On the go2africa website, you can begin formulating your custom safari by first selecting Tanzania as your destination. Then, you'll select your preferred per person budget. If you're looking for 5-star luxury, expect a budget of around $1,600-$3,200 per person, per night. You'll then select your travel dates, and your preferred trip length. After filling out your preferences, go2africa will email you a variety of options to help you customize your safari vacation.

Depending on your itinerary and travel dates, you can enjoy one-of-a-kind wildlife viewing experiences in the Serengeti, witness the Great Migration, go mountain climbing on Mount Kilimanjaro, or visit hidden gem parks and game reserves throughout your trip. The options are endless.

Jacada Travel is a global luxury travel company with destinations all around the world, including Africa. They specialize in creating custom-made vacations for travelers looking for 5-star luxury with a healthy dose of adventure. Don't expect a cookie-cutter trip when you book a safari with Jacada — each element of your itinerary will be designed specifically for you and each trip is intended to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

On your Tanzania safari, you'll have the opportunity to stay in some of the country's most opulent accommodations, including luxury tent camps and lodges. You can choose options like Singita Sasakwa, which has 10 luxury cottages and a spa where you can relax after a long day of game viewing. Highlights of your Tanzania trip with Jacada include opportunities to see species like elephants, wildebeest, zebras, and chimpanzees. You may choose to explore the plains of the Serengeti, journey deep into the Mahale Mountains, take in the epic views at the Ngorongoro Crater, or travel to Zanzibar — a tropical island off the coast of Africa.

In a review posted on Trustpilot, a traveler named Tammy wrote, "We had a wonderful trip that was planned by Jacada. It went off without a hitch! The accommodations were amazing. We saw and did everything and more! From the time we landed in Kilimanjaro to the time we left, we were handled with "white glove service". Tessa and Angela from Jacada were the best! They answered all of our questions and helped us plan the trip of a lifetime!" Jacada Travel has an excellent 5-star rating on Google, with over 300 customer reviews and more than 2,000 reviews on Trustpilot, with an average of 4.9 stars. 

To formulate our list of the top luxury safaris in Tanzania, we researched dozens of travel companies and accommodations. We chose our featured safari options based on a combination of destinations, experiences, accommodation types, user reviews, awards, and included luxury amenities. In order to ensure your trip Tanzania goes smoothly, take some time to research the unexpected things tourists should know before their first African Safari.