What Month is Best for an African Safari in Tanzania and Where to Stay? This is a question I'm asked for Tanzania and Serengeti safaris, in particular.
What is the Best Time of Year to Go to Tanzania?
It's generally better to visit Tanzania during the dry season, when it's easier to spot the animals, as they're forced to congregate at watering holes rather than be dispersed throughout the landscape. Plus, dry season means less of a problem with mosquitoes.
Most safari guests also wish to time their visit to the Serengeti to coincide with the wildebeest migration, which tends to occur in late June to August.
Tanzania Safari: Where to Stay?
For many, a safari is a once in a lifetime experience, so it's worth splurging to make it especially memorable. My top recommendation is Singita Sasakwa Lodge, which is in the privately owned Singita Grumeti Reserve. This has a significant advantage compared to other lodges in Tanzania that are not on a private concession: it means you won't be vying with hordes of other tourists in the same spots, to view the animals.
It's also good for the local community, as the concession is run by the non-profit Grumeti Fund, launched by American philanthropist Paul Tudor Jones, who helped rescue this area that had previously had its animal populations decimated by poaching. The result has been tremendous: since 2003, wildlife has quadrupled on the reserve, and over 100 former poachers have been converted to game scouts, helping guests spot the animals they've come so far to see. 60% of the staff Singita employs come from the local area of 21 villages near the reserve.
Sasakwa Lodge is one of Singita's most popular lodges built in the style of a stately Edwardian manor house, so it's crucial to book well in advance to experience it:
- Only 10 cottages, of which 6 are 1-bedroom cottages, 2 are 2-bedroom cottages, and there is a single 3-bedroom cottage and single 4-bedroom cottage
- Each cottage has its own private infinity pool
- An additional swimming pool in the main lodge area
- Gym
- Tennis court
- Daily morning and afternoon game drives are included in the rate
- Gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner daily included in the rate
- Premium wines, spirits and liqueurs included in the rate (excludes Connoisseur wines and French Champagne)
- Laundry and valet services included in the rate
TravelSort Clients staying 3 or more paid nights at any Singita lodge or a combination of Singita lodges enjoy a $200 spa credit per trip–perfect to use towards a relaxing massage after a game drive. Stays of 7 or more paid nights enjoy $400 in spa credits.
Singita's Sasakwa Lodge is the most opulent of its Tanzania lodges, but if you're after a glamping experience, you should definitely try Singita's Sabora Tented Camp. It uses the same airstrip as Sasakwa, but is about a 40 minute drive away (Sasakwa is about a 10 minute drive from the airstrip).
If you you want to recreate an experience from “Out of Africa,” this is the place. Animals go almost right up to the tents, so get ready for an exhilarating experience. There are just 9 tents, so it's an even smaller footprint than Sasakwa.
Get a feel for it with this Singita video:
While there are of course many other Tanzania safari lodges, and even the larger Four Seasons Serengeti with 60 guest rooms and suites and 2 villas, my top pick for a luxury safari is Singita for a truly magical experience, enabled by its private Grumeti reserve and its incredible staff and guides.
If you've stayed at one of Singita's Tanzania safari lodges, what was your experience?
Recommended Posts
Safari Adventure in Kruger National Park, South Africa
Seychelles Award Travel with Miles and Points and Where to Stay
Top 10 Four Seasons Preferred Partner Advance Purchase Offers
If you enjoyed this, join 200,000+ readers: follow TravelSort on Twitter or like us on Facebook to be alerted to new posts.
Subscribe to TravelSort on YouTube and TravelSort on Instagram for travel inspiration.
Become a TravelSort Client and Book 5-Star Hotels with Virtuoso or Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits