Luxury hotel in Tanzania: Discover the Zuri Zanzibar

On Unguja Island, Zuri Zanzibar is the perfect place to enjoy the natural beauty of Tanzania. State of play of this luxury hotel in Tanzania.

In the heart of Kendwa, on the island of Unguja, the Zuri Zanzibar is the new luxury hotel in Tanzania which has just seen the light of day. A member of the “Design Hotels” group, this charming establishment seduces first of all with its typical African and contemporary architecture, but also with its location. Indeed, this luxury hotel in Tanzania faces the Indian Ocean and has a private beach 300 meters long. The sweet exotic escape can then begin.

In all, 55 villas, suites and bungalows make up the Zuri Zanzibar and offer breathtaking ocean views. They were designed by the English architectural firm Jestico + Whiles who wanted to give the rooms a soft and cozy atmosphere. Each bungalow, with an interior surface of 66 m², is raised on stilts and has spacious balconies with garden chairs and hammocks to relax while enjoying the lush vegetation that surrounds us.

The 350 m² villas consist of three bedrooms, a jacuzzi, a private swimming pool, a kitchen and a games room. The decor of each room is a mix of Indian, Oriental and African influences with luxury furnishings, thatched roofs and plush and comfortable king-size beds. In the bathrooms, the concrete floor contrasts with the delicate curtains made of handmade paper beads, pure craftsmanship from Chaka, a social enterprise run by women in Tanzania. The toiletries, organic and ecological, come from the Seaweed Co brand and are made by women farmers in another company in the Zuri community.

The outdoor terraces, with a view of the garden or the Indian Ocean, are furnished with hammocks and wicker furniture in mauve, blue and orange colors. In this endless luxury, the Zuri Zanzibar does not forget its ecological commitment and thus uses recycled materials, recovers rainwater for showers and limits its plastic consumption in order to reduce its carbon footprint. Small downside all the same, the Zuri Zanzibar hotel is not suitable for people with reduced mobility (PRM) and does not have rooms accessible to wheelchairs. Connecting bungalows are available, as well as baby cots and extra beds, perfect for those traveling with the family.

More than a luxury hotel in Tanzania, a real place to live

More than a luxury hotel in Tanzania, the Zuri Zanzibar is a real place to live. The Zuri’s private beach of more than 300 meters, with its white sand and clear waters, is available to guests. It is even possible to have lunch there, feet in the sand, taking care to ask in advance to the staff who are at our entire disposal. The staff is welcoming and helpful, ready to come to your every need, without encroaching on your private space.

This luxury hotel in Tanzania consists of three restaurants: Upendo, Maisha and Bahari Grill & Bar, which serve African, Indian, Mediterranean and European fusion cuisine. Sophisticated cocktails are served at Peponi Bar and Dhow Bar. At Zuri Zanzibar, breakfast can be served as a buffet in the Upendo restaurant or à la carte at Maisha. Either way, don’t miss their fresh hibiscus juice and baked pancakes drizzled with Iringa pink honey.

This luxury hotel in Tanzania also has a fragrant spice garden, whose trade is centuries old in Zanzibar, which immerses us in the scents of the local flora. And in terms of activities, the Zuri offers an outdoor gym, yoga classes and nautical activities to be booked in advance. Finally, for ultimate relaxation, head to the Zuri spa for a soothing massage, then relax by the infinity pool, while enjoying the magnificent view, a detox smoothie in hand.

Luxury hotels in Arusha

Arusha is one of the most interesting places in Tanzania. On many occasions it is just a place of passage, since one of the most important international airports in Tanzania is located there . Normally, if you are going on a safari, your trip will start in Arusha and, from there, you will visit the different National Parks of the country.

Arusha is not only an airport and a city, but also has a National Park of the same name, which is usually the first getaway to see animals in the wild. Next to the city, there are large coffee plantations that give it part of its special idiosyncrasy.

In addition, Arusha is a perfect starting point to approach the Kilimanjaro National Park . Located a few kilometers to the northeast, it is another of the great national parks of the country. Lake Manyara and its respective National Park are also relatively close, although we recommend going to sleep in that area so as not to have to eat up too much road.

Arusha ‘s accommodations are far from the traditional lodges of Africa and range from those located in coffee plantations, with different experiences related to it, to the more traditional luxury hotels. To be in the middle of nature and see the animals directly, we will have to go to other areas of Tanzania .

Great Melia Arusha

The Gran Melia Arusha is one of the best options if we want a trusted brand. In the purest style of the 5-star Meliá hotels that we already know, we will have all the luxury possible in a more traditional format, far from the lodges in the middle of nature.

Arusha Coffee Lodge

If we are coffee lovers, the Arusha Coffee Lodge is a perfect option. Located on a coffee plantation, you can combine safaris with learning more about this African fruit and having the best coffee of your life.

Luxury lodges in Tarangire National Park

To the southwest of Arusha we find the Tarangire National Park . One of the largest national parks in Tanzania next to the Serengeti, it stands out for its wide grasslands with baobabs dotting its wide plains.

In Tarangire we can find the Big Five ( lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes), being quite easy to spot compared to other places. The reason? There is only one source of water, the Tarangire River which leads to Lake Manyara.

In the dry season, in fact, thousands of animals from Lake Manyara National Park go to the Tarangire , located to the south of it.

In this place we already have fantastic lodges in the middle of the National Park. Overlooking the river bank it is very easy to see the animals come to drink even from our own luxury tent .

Hotels in Lake Manyara

Another place where we can find the best luxury hotels in Tanzania is Lake Manyara . Located west of Arusha and north of Tarangire , it is a very shallow, saline lake. In fact, in dry years it is practically dry.

Also in the dry season it has very little water, so many animals migrate to Tarangire . Hippos, baboons and flamingos are the most characteristic animals of the park, although it also has elephants, giraffes, lions and a significant number of leopards, as well as many other herbivores.

The accommodations in this area differ by being located at a height . These are lodges with heart-stopping views over the lake that at the same time remain safe from the floods that occur in the area during the wet season. Any of them gives you the opportunity to enjoy truly spectacular views.

Of course, the animals will be further away than in Tarangire or the Serengeti.

Luxury hotels in Karatu and the Ngorongoro

The Ngorongoro Special Area of ​​Conservation is probably the most special place to stay in Tanzania . Located west of Arusha and north of Lakes Manyara and Eyasi , it is a unique ecosystem in the world.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, it is a crater 20 kilometers in diameter. Inside the crater are the Big Five, making it the smallest place in the world where they can be seen (and therefore making them easier to find) as well as several climatic microzones.

By having steep walls, the animals inside the crater do not migrate, but live in the area throughout the year. This makes the Ngorongoro probably the best protected area in the world for viewing wildlife.

To stay, we can choose the andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge , located on the walls of the crater, or go to nearby Karatu . This beautiful town with farms and colonial houses has become the starting point for Ngorongoro safaris , with different very interesting luxury options.

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