Southern Rift Valley
Right at the lake's southernmost tip, this basic site sits beside a seasonal river and is really only worthwhile if the other sites are full.
Must-see hotels in East Africa
Kenya
Mwea's most accessible campsite is very basic, with no water, toilet or kitchen facilities. It's close to the reserve headquarters.
Northeastern Tanzania
This very basic place offers bucket baths and dark, no-frills rooms. It's along the main road in Mtae. Meals are available nearby.
Northeastern Tanzania
This budget place is on the hill behind the bus stand (about seven minutes' walk). No food is served and the rooms are basic.
Uganda
A reliable shoestringer, friendly Alinda has big clean rooms right on the main road and a shared shower block with buckets.
Northern Tanzania
This unnamed and unsigned bucket-shower guesthouse is in the green-fronted building right near the entrance gate into town.
Southwestern Uganda
If you get stuck in Katunguru, this basic lodge has the cheapest and cleanest rooms and a decent attached restaurant.
Central Tanzania
A long-established guesthouse northwest of the bus stand by the market. It's simple but clean, with hot water.
Tsavo West National Park
This basic public campsite is at Chyulu, just outside the Chyulu gate. Be prepared to be self-sufficient.
Nungwi
This beautifully situated, upmarket place was a standout in Nungwi for years, with a low-key ambience, luxurious sea-view chalets in mature tropical…
Zanzibar Island
Occupying one of the most scenic locations on the island at the tip of the peninsula, Ras Michamvi sits on a bluff with expansive views. Idyllic, deserted…
Zanzibar Island
Pili Pili House is a three-bedroom beach house on a beautiful stretch of sand at the village of Bumbwini, 20km from Stone Town, about 5km beyond the…
Burundi
The Saga Beach resorts consists of the older Hotel Keza, which is set back from the beach with its block of comfortable if dated rooms, and the newer…
Zanzibar Island
Waikiki is a fun and friendly resort where Italian ownership means good coffee, great food (including pizza and ice cream) and a legendary Friday party…
Nungwi
This hotel has comfortably furnished rooms in a neat multistorey complex overlooking a swimming pool, with a deck on high stilts above the beach. It's…
Burundi
With a prime lakeside setting, the Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika is the only four-star hotel in Bujumbura (and by extension, Burundi) with a huge swimming…
Burundi
The only international chain hotel in town, the Novotel has all the four-star facilities you would expect from this sort of place. The only problem is…
Burundi
There's an easy tropical charm to Bujumbura’s first, and only real, boutique hotel. The seven-room Botanika is a charming retreat from the rigours of life…
Burundi
Perfect for those staying a while, all the apartments here have small kitchens, and larger ones also have balconies. Most rooms face the garden, which has…
Zanzibar Island
On a broad beach among palms and mangroves, Menai Beach Bungalows offers a unique opportunity to see a corner of the island so far unaffected by tourism…
Kenya
This remote, exclusive lodge sits at the scenic mouth of the Tana River and offers walking and canoe safaris (included in the price) amid the marshes. It…
Burundi
Filling the gap between a budget and mid-range hotel, the Amahoro has established a name for itself as a comfortable, centrally located place to stay with…
Burundi
A five minute taxi ride from the city centre (BFr4000) and almost next door to the new, fortress-like US embassy, this pretty little guesthouse, with…
Zanzibar Island
As an exclusive lodge on a private island, peace and privacy is guaranteed here. However, at the time of research this lodge was closed for renovation…
Burundi
This well-run enterprise has spotless rooms with satellite TVs, small balconies and reliable hot water. Its central location and helpful staff are other…
Serengeti National Park
This Seronera icon burned to the ground in January 2015, and the property – built on and around the boulders – was being rebuilt at research time in mid…
