The best hotels Tanzania

A new kind of hotel has just opened in Jambiani in 2023. Just a handful of rooms, accommodating 2 or 3 people (a family, for example), nestled in an intimate house with a small swimming pool and a convivial breakfast lounge. The view from the Balinese beds on the top-floor terrace is fantastic, with vegetation and the ocean in the background. We love the well-appointed rooms, the charming bathrooms, the impeccable service and the exclusivity of this address.

It's the place to be in Bwejuu! Le Tiki is a charming new beach hotel with several room categories, from the simplest garden-view room (air-conditioned nonetheless) to the sea-view suite, family rooms and self-catering apartments. What they all have in common: plenty of space, omnipresent wood and local, but well-made, furniture. Le Tiki is renowned for its swimming pool with an elegant pool bar under coconut palms, and its restaurant and bar, which come alive on festive evenings.

This new budget-friendly address in Jambiani has just three rooms, and an upstairs bar-restaurant serving good Swahili cuisine (open to non-guests), which we also recommend. An almost front-line address on the beach, at this price it's fantastic, all the more so as the rooms, sober and airy, are equipped with ceiling fans, air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms. Two are furnished with a double bed, while a second is reserved for families, with a double bed and a bunk bed.

An address in the heart of Pajé, remarkable for the quality of its services and very low prices. You can opt for spacious, solid rooms with terraces, some ventilated (double or triple with shared bathroom), but most air-conditioned (doubles with shared bathroom, bungalows en suite and families with private bathroom). Best of all, this hostel boasts a large swimming pool surrounded by a garden, and an outdoor restaurant.

Many flights to and from Europe depart and arrive in Zanzibar during the night. After this long journey, it's best to book a room close to the airport. The Golden Tulip is a charming address close to the new airport. Spacious, luxurious, air-conditioned rooms, a refreshing swimming pool and all the services of a luxury hotel: restaurant, free airport shuttle and even a spa to unwind with a massage.

This address for backpackers has opened just back from the beach, a prime spot, especially at this price level. The most modest rooms are rustic bandas made of woven straw laid on the sand, naturally ventilated by a makuti roof, with terrace and private bathroom. At this price, it's miraculous! For a few dollars more, you can also choose a hard-built room, but the ventilation is not as good. Excellent breakfast included, great welcome from Haji. The decor and food are impeccable, and cats watch over the place.

A lovely new address for budget travelers, where nothing is missing: bright Swahili rooms with exposed beams, ceiling fans and en-suite bathrooms, a small swimming pool set in a tropical garden, a central location in Paje, a delicious and royal breakfast... and above all, very affordable prices. We appreciate the well-made beds and the impeccable cleanliness of the place, the clean but well-finished lines of the whole, and Rosi's warm, professional welcome.

Managed by Carlo Mistrangioli, this magnificent dhow, preferably sheltered in the southern islets.

This lodge offers large houses (bandas) where guests have clean, simple rooms with locally made furniture. They have balconies to relax and large huts to eat. The whole place is charming, cosy and well made. We also appreciate the swimming pool on site to refresh yourself. A campsite for those who are already equipped and independent, with sanitary facilities (hot water), cooking and food storage area, caretaker. A good address, very close to the park entrance.

Owned by Tanapa, Tanzania's national park authority, this camp has the distinction of being affordable and comfortable. It is located less than a kilometre from the headquarters, in the middle of gigantic trees where mischievous baboons reside, and offers a beautiful view of the Udzungwa mountains and giraffes (twiga in Swahili). The double rooms in the rest house are really basic, some with private bathroom... they are moderately well kept and remain expensive for these services. The camp welcomes families.

Correct for price, no more. The restaurant is not expensive.