The best accommodations Tanzania

Budget & Tips

Zanzibar. There are a growing number of excellent, inexpensive addresses opening up in Unguja (Pemba and Mafia remain confidential islands, reserved for wealthy divers), particularly in Stone Town, Nungwi, Jambiani, Pajé and Michamvi, but you can now find them all along the coast, at between US$40 and US$50 for a double room with breakfast, and as low as US$30 with shared bathroom, but with spartan comfort. These are usually woven palm-leaf bandas on the sand. It's rootsy and right in the middle of nature - we love it! You'll also find plenty of youth hostels with well-designed, clean dormitories in the same towns, again under vast bandas, or air-conditioned, hard-standing hostels in Stone Town.

Don't forget to book a hotel with a swimming pool if you're staying on the coast, so you can swim at low tide if you can afford it. Because when the barrier reef rears up, it can get hot, so it's good to cool off in a pool. Only Kendwa and Nungwi don't suffer from this problem, as there is no coral reef, only sand, and you can swim at low or high tide.

In mainland Tanzania. You'll find very rudimentary local guesthouses, some of which barely have hot water, but when cleanliness is well maintained, air-conditioning is installed and bathrooms are individual, the option is interesting if you're only looking for comfort. Lodges are designed to be sublime, generally using natural materials including wood, as they blend into the landscape. Likewise, you can go to the public campsites managed by Tanapa in the national parks or to the luxury private camps in heavy tents with private bathrooms.

Price guide:

One night in a basic local hotel: 10,000 TSH.

One night in a mid-range hotel: from 20,000 TSH, but it can be much more expensive. Always visit and negotiate.

A night in a tent or lodge in the national parks: from US$ 25 in a public camp to US$ 150 or even US$ 300 in a lodge, full board (safari usually included).

To be booked

Zanzibar's peak tourist season is the Northern European school vacation period. Outside this period, prices are very attractive and hotels much less crowded. The same applies to safaris, where the high season is July-August and Christmas. The high season for climbing Kilimanjaro is from December to March.

For food lovers

Breakfasts are excellent in both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Almost everywhere, you'll be offered a spanish omelet , which isn't Spanish but is delicious, with onions, peppers and cheese. Fresh fruit is always served.

Smokers

In general, bungalows and bandas have a private terrace where guests are allowed to smoke. Inside rooms, smoking is not permitted.