Hotels in Tanzania

Hotels in Tanzania: your guide to where to stay

How much does a hotel in Tanzania cost?

The price depends on the standard, the location and the dates. The table shows indicative nightly rates for a double room. Inland stays are cheapest, while the Zanzibar beaches at peak season are the priciest. A room in a simple property starts at a few tens of dollars, while an oceanfront spa resort costs many times more.

Indicative rates, updated periodically. For exact prices and availability, select your dates in the search above.

Where to stay in Tanzania: most popular cities

A trip through Tanzania usually splits into a northern safari, the Zanzibar beaches and a stop in Dar es Salaam. These are the destinations travellers choose most often:

• Zanzibar (Stone Town). Historic lanes, the spice market and easy access to the beaches. The widest choice of boutique hotels and resorts.
• Dar es Salaam. The largest city and the main airport. A handy base to start, with business hotels and the harbour for ferries to the islands.
• Nungwi. The northern tip of Zanzibar, wide beaches and all-inclusive resorts. Book early for summer.
• Arusha. The gateway to safaris in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Kilimanjaro. Guesthouses, lodges and hostels for trekkers.
• Kendwa. Next to Nungwi, with calmer beaches and nightlife. From budget villas to premium resorts.

Nightly rates vary between destinations. Here are indicative prices per night for a double room:

What to see in Tanzania

Tanzania brings together wildlife, Africa's highest peak and the ocean, so it is easy to match a trip to the season.

• Serengeti safari. The great wildebeest migration and the chance to spot the "big five": lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo.
• Kilimanjaro. Africa's highest mountain. The climb is arranged with guides and porters, and sunrise at the summit makes the effort worth it.
• Ngorongoro Crater. A grassy floor with zebra and antelope, while the slopes are home to elephants, leopards and buffalo.
• Zanzibar. Beaches, seafood and historic Stone Town. You reach it by short flight or ferry from the mainland.
• Lake Natron. A soda lake in the north, a breeding ground for flamingos. The nesting season runs from September to April.

How much does a trip to Tanzania cost

The country runs largely on cash. Larger resorts and hotels take cards, while elsewhere you will want cash in Tanzanian shillings (TZS). ATMs are in the cities and accept Cirrus and PLUS cards. A meal in a cheaper restaurant is about 5,000 TZS (around $2), while a litre of milk and a dozen eggs cost about 7,500 TZS (around $3). Larger bills are easier to settle in dollars.

When is the best time to visit Tanzania

June to August is the dry season, with daytime temperatures around 27 degrees Celsius, one of the best times for safaris and beaches. January and February are best for the Serengeti, as it is drier and the migrating animals are easier to spot. The rainy seasons (March to May and November) can be cheaper, but some park roads become difficult.

Getting to and around Tanzania

Most international flights land at Julius Nyerere Airport in Dar es Salaam, some with a connection at Kilimanjaro. Carriers include Emirates, KLM, Etihad and Kenya Airways. You can arrive by the TAZARA railway from Zambia, while buses run from Nairobi in Kenya to Arusha, Moshi and Dar es Salaam. Within the country there are the TRC and TAZARA railways, express buses, and local dala-dala minibuses and tuk-tuks in the cities. Low-cost domestic flights, including Air Tanzania, are convenient between tourist hubs. Most travellers need an ETA visa, best arranged online before arrival, plus a passport valid for at least 6 months.

Example hotels in Tanzania

A few recognisable properties from different destinations for reference:

• Le Mersenne Zanzibar, Autograph Collection and Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa on Zanzibar (upper tier, from approx. $200).
• Four Points by Sheraton Dar es Salaam New Africa and Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam (from approx. $130).
• Nungwi Dreams by Mantis and Rivertrees Country Inn in Arusha and on the coast (from approx. $170).