Kenya
Easily the pick of the accommodation if you're not staying in the park, the Lutheran Guesthouse occupies a handsome house on a farm 1km west of the…
Must-see hotels in East Africa
Amboseli National Park
Set on its own private 24-sq-km conservancy close to Kimana Gate and with its own airstrip, Tawi Lodge is our pick of the places southeast of the park…
Dar es Salaam
With its Le Corbusier–style modernist lines, spacious rooftop terrace and shady courtyard, family-run Alexander's is a true boutique hotel. Its 17 stylish…
Zanzibar Town
Zanzibar's first dedicated backpackers hostel, Lost & Found is perfect for travellers on a tight budget. It's clean, modern, safe, friendly and well…
Northern Tanzania
Self-described as ‘Versailles meets Maasai’, this eclectic rim-top lodge (actually three separate lodges) has every luxury you could want. Few spaces lack…
Southern Highlands
This highly regarded 16-bed owner-managed camp is set in a prime wildlife-viewing location on the Mwagusi Sand River 20km inside the park gate – animals…
Lake Naivasha
This charming guesthouse is run by the charismatic and elegant Dea. The main house has three guest rooms and is a gorgeous chalet of Swiss inspiration,…
Watamu
With five rooms facing Kenya's best beach and a further 18 set back around a second saltwater pool, this boutique hotel works a sleek, dreamy vibe. Expect…
Northern Tanzania
A place that makes you feel special, this relaxing lodge fills a renovated colonial farmstead and the decor is gorgeous down to the last detail. The…
Diani Beach
Among the loveliest of Diani's beachfront boutique hotels, the Maji – which means 'water' in Swahili – is simply gorgeous. The water feature in the…
Serengeti National Park
These ‘private mobile camps’ combine the best aspects of tented camps and budget camping safaris and are the best way to get a deep bush experience in the…
Southwestern Uganda
One of Uganda's best park lodges lies just outside Mburo's eastern border, with rustic tent-cottages spread along the ridge. All have amazing views,…
Selous Game Reserve
This long-standing, unpretentious camp is run by the Fox family who own camps throughout southern Tanzania. Set in a fine location on a wide bend in the…
Nairobi
The fabulous collection of stylish suites – at what was one of the first genuine boutique hotels in Kenya – is perfect for well-heeled sophisticates who…
Northern Kenya
One of the remotest camps in Kenya, Kitich falls squarely into the luxury-tented-camp category, but staying here is unquestionably a wild-Africa…
Nairobi
Sophistication and style are the hallmarks of this stunning boutique offering. Every room is different according to its theme – the slate-grey colour…
Southern Highlands
This quiet place consists of three spacious, elegant cottages in the gardens of a working farm just outside Morogoro, overlooking the Uluguru Mountains…
Uganda
Just outside the park boundary, this stylish addition delivers excellent value. It sits on a low ridge with expansive park views and visiting zebra and…
Masai Mara
Considered one of the premier camps in the area, and run with the kind of casual efficiency that brings guests back, Kicheche Bush has well-spaced,…
Mbita & Rusinga Island
One of the finest places to stay in Kenya's corner of Lake Victoria, Rusinga Island is an exclusive lakeside lodge with its own private air strip. The…
Arusha
Set smack in the middle of a shade-grown coffee plantation and elegant through and through, this is one of the most talked-about properties in Arusha. The…
Nanyuki
Founded by a friendly local-turned-Londoner-turned-local-again, Kongoni has five, concrete circular bandas as well as some newer rooms that are simple but…
Northeastern Tanzania
This lovely lodge has spacious, open-style beachfront cottages in varying sizes, all set around a mangrove-fringed cove. There's a dhow, snorkelling, sea…
Kenya
Built by the local community, these timber-and-canvas bandas with coconut-palm-thatched roofs get the balance right between being genuinely rustic yet…
Arusha
An intimate and sophisticated boutique B&B on a quiet street southeast of the centre, this place has the feel of a tranquil enclave for people in the know…
Zanzibar Island
With a small collection of palm-thatched huts and bungalows in a garden on the beach, this place has a laid-back and welcoming atmosphere. Although simply…
Zanzibar Island
Closely linked to Airborne Kite Centre, this delightful place has rooms in a large house and safari tents (with private bathroom), plus a tree house, all…
Kisumu
At last, a top-end hotel with Lake Victoria frontage. Rooms here have some lovely hardwood furnishings in the safari tents, while the artful use of…
Northern Tanzania
This exceptional place up in the Ngorongoro foothills north of Karatu has 18 immaculate and classy suites in nine cottages arrayed around leafy, perfectly…
Lake Victoria
This is a lovely B&B with views of Lake Victoria and Musira Island, located just outside Bukoba proper on a high hill. Getting here requires a 4WD vehicle…
Serengeti National Park
In a remote corner of the northern Serengeti, close to the boundary with the Ikorongo Game Reserve, this remarkable camp has large permanent tents with…
Southern Highlands
Located 10km west of the main gate, Camp Bastian is a harmoniously beautiful and good-value choice, with quality food and good drivers/guides on hand…
Tsavo West National Park
This luxurious tented camp, arranged around a stream full of crocs and hippos, is now looking fancier than ever after a renovation. The 17 massive,…
Heaven Boutique Hotel & the Retreat
Kigali
This American-run boutique hotel is a breath of fresh air in Kigali. The rooms are divided between three in the same building as the attached restaurant…
Kampala
A slice of luxury by the standards of African hostels, Bushpig is housed in a smart complex that also functions as a posh hotel and restaurant. The staff…
Diani Beach
With just 10 individually decorated rooms and an elegant lobby and common area filled with West African carvings, this intimate hotel is all about…
Eldoret
This swish business-class hotel, 2km from the city centre, is hands down the best place to stay in Eldoret. The large rooms are smart and stylishly…
Nairobi
Almost equidistant between the city centre and the National Museum, this place is a terrific budget choice. Billing itself ‘economy with style’, it…
Masai Mara
Whether you're camping or looking for a little more comfort in one of their simple safari tents, Crocodile Camp, close to Talek Gate, is an excellent…
Arusha
East of Arusha in Usa River and bordering a private wildlife sanctuary that has zebras, ostriches and colobus monkeys, Mt Meru Game Lodge is a wonderful…
