Accommodations
SAFARI LODGES
- Safari lodges are larger, permanent structures built of brick and mortar. Safari lodges may vary in size from around 15 rooms to 100 rooms. You can expect full amenities and similar facilities such as restaurants and swimming pools. Many of the luxury lodges feature evening entertainment (typically clutural dancing and singing), some have spa services. The lodges range from three star levels, to ultimate five star luxury.
TENTED CAMPS
Tented camps are made up of large, walk in, canvas tents set up on permanent frames. These camps are generally smaller than lodges and have the amenities similar to that of a lodge or hotel such as separate en-suite bathrooms, restaurants and swimming pools. The tented camps aim to provide all the comforts of a lodge while giving guests a smaller, intimate, tented yet luxurious safari experience. Do not underestimate the quality of luxury that the more expensive tented camps offer.
STANDARD CAMPING SAFARI
Budget camping fits in the tented camps category. The experience is however completely different, making it deserve to be regarded separately.
You sleep inside bivouac tents, on mattresses laid on the tent floor and sleeping bags. Unlike the other categories, the toilet and shower facilites are not en suite but communal. There are acutally two very different experiences in this category depending whether the campsite is inside of a wildlife area or outside. Inside the wildlife areas, there will be animals roaming through the campsite, especially at night. They do not bother the tents but there are security procedures that need to be followed if you need to use the toilet at night. Your guide will instruct you. There will not be electricity at these campsites so a torch/flashlight will be needed.
The other type of basic camping is in private campsites outside of the wildlife area. These provide much more comfort and will not have animals wandering through (except perhaps a fewe monkeys). They may have a swimming pool, gift shop, bar, restaurant and other amenities but of course lack the “in the wild” experience. These are mostly used due to the logistics of the trip. Overnights in Karatu or Mto wa Mbu are of this nature.