What Is The Difference Between Tented Camps and Lodges

Understanding Tented Camps and Lodges on Safari

Do you have a Safari in Tanzania on your bucket list but you can’t decide whether to stay in a Tented Camp or a Lodge?  What is the difference between tented camps and lodges anyway? 

During a 10-day Tanzanian Safari, we had the opportunity to stay in both types of accommodation.  In this blog, we will highlight our experience and provide an overview of the differences as well as what we liked in each type.

Pros and Cons of Tented Camps and Lodges

Tented Camp and Lodge – What Is The Same?

While there are differences, let’s first look at what tented camps and lodges have in common.  Unlike a typical hotel which usually has all of its guest rooms and hotel facilities housed in the same building, tented camps and lodges have the guest rooms spread out in individual or double units throughout the property.

Both feature a central area that may consist of one or more buildings where the reception area, dining rooms, bar, shop and swimming pool may be located.  This is also where you will meet the tour guides in the morning before your safari adventure begins.

Tented Camps and Lodges are also typically located inside (or very near to) the national parks and game reserves that you will be visiting.  This way you will get as close to nature as possible and is one of the main attractions of staying in a camp or lodge.

What Are The Safari Tents Like?

The safari tent is typically a structure with one solid wall and three walls made of large, heavy canvas with screened windows, usually situated on a raised concrete or wooden platform.  There are also tents with all walls made of canvas. But either way, this is not your typical tent.  The tent is quite spacious and large enough to accommodate 2 adults quite comfortably with high walls and concrete or wooden floors, covered in rugs.

To be clear, there will be different levels of tented camps that range from basic to quite luxurious.  The tented camps that we are describing allow you to enjoy a certain level of comfort that you will genuinely appreciate after bouncing around in a safari vehicle all day.  

The tents are set up with a large queen size bed (or 2 twin beds) depending on your preference.   The beds that we had in our safari tents were quite comfortable with thick mattresses and good quality linens.  Mosquito netting is suspended from the ceiling and surrounds the bed to protect you from those pesky insects that will inevitably get into your tent.

There is an ensuite bathroom with a toilet and shower.  In some cases, there may be an outdoor shower.  

There will also be a closet or area to hang your clothes, a safe for your passports and other important items and a sitting area to relax and enjoy the views out of the large screened windows that look out into the park.  All of the ones that we stayed in also had a large balcony with seating outside the tent.

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What Are The Traditional Lodges Like?

Traditional lodges are concrete or wooden structures that often look like bungalows or traditional African huts.  They have solid walls with glass windows and shutters or blinds instead of the screened windows with flaps that the tented camps have.  In most cases, the traditional lodges have a less rustic feel than the tented camps.

However, we have seen some which are extremely luxurious and have all the facilities and amenities of a 5-star hotel.

Like the tents, the lodges are also quite spacious, many with full living rooms and some with 2 queen-sized beds, ensuite baths and balconies or small terraces.  

Our Tanzania Safari Accommodations

We stayed at several different accommodations on our Tanzanian Safari Tour, both the tented kind and traditional lodges.  All of the below accommodations are considered 4 star properties. Here is a list of where we stayed and what we liked about them.

Lake Burunge Tented Lodge

Lake Burunge Tented Lodge was our first ever experience in a lodging of this kind and we didn’t know what to expect.  The lodge has a main building raised on a wood and concrete platform, with stunning vistas of the Tarangire National Park and out to Lake Burunge.  

It includes a large raised deck that overlooks a grassy area and then more bushy terrain.  This is a great spot to watch for wildlife and we did see elephants come here to graze.

There are comfortable sofas both inside and outside the main building as well as an expansive covered dining room and an outdoor swimming pool.  The staff light a campfire every evening and guests can enjoy the sunset with drinks and appetizers. Dinner can be served outside under the stars, weather permitting.

We found the meals to be very good. This property offers a combination of a buffet and a food station where you can choose what you would like included in your dish. For instance, one night was a stirfry that was made to order. Breakfast is a buffet and the lunch supplied had hot and cold dishes.

There are quite a few large tents on this campsite.  Ours was at the furthest end from the main building and bordering on a forested area.  A wide crushed stone path wound around the camp and allowed us to walk from the main building to our site.  

It is important to note that an escort is required to take you from the main lodge to your specific accommodation anytime after dark.  This was true for all of the lodges that we stayed at.

Our unit was rectangular in shape and quite large with plenty of space inside.  The large bed faced a screened opening at the front which looked out onto a wrap-around balcony that had a wooden bench and table.  

All of the units at this Lake Burunge location have showers and toilets with running water.  Water dispensers with 20 litre water containers for drinking are in all the rooms 

Each unit also has bug spray to complement the mosquito netting around the beds. We made use of the spray as there were a few moths, beetles and other flying insects in our room when we came back from dinner.  Needless to say, it is important to keep the lights dim and the door shut as much as possible at night.

The one aspect of the tented camps that stands out is that you will likely have the most authentic experience possible since there is only a piece of canvas between you and the African wildlife in the park.  We found this out on our 2nd night when we were wakened in the middle of the night by the loud roar of lions just metres away from our bed.  

We found out the next morning that there was a pride of six lions roaming around the campsite.  The Masai guides who acted as our escorts spent the night ensuring that the lions did not come too close to the lodgers.

Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge

Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge is located on the northern Tanzania safari circuit bordering the Ngorongoro Forest Reserve.  It looks out onto a working coffee plantation and is an ideal location for visiting Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park.

This complex consists of twenty-six cottages set up in a duplex style, including three two-room family suites.  The accommodations are quite large with hand-crafted furniture, a private verandah, and a fireplace.

The bathrooms include an indoor shower and bathtub and each room has either an additional outdoor bathtub or shower.  It was quite luxurious to enjoy a hot bath while outside surrounded by nature but within the privacy of our own terrace.

Each room has two large beds, a seating area, a writing desk and a chair plus ample closet space. This makes it an ideal location for families.

An expansive common area houses the reception area, lounge, bar and dining room and offers complimentary wi-fi. A large veranda overlooks the swimming pool, spa and guest rooms; where you can enjoy afternoon tea or evening cocktails. 

The grounds here are very lush and beautifully manicured. It was like staying in a tropical garden and overlooking the coffee plantation was spectacular.

The breakfast and evening meals here were served buffet style and the lunches were packed with both hot and cold options.

Lahia Tented Lodge

Lahia Tented Lodge is strategically located at the top of a hill overlooking Central Serengeti with views towards Western Serengeti.  It is centrally located to popular attractions such as the famous Kopjes Masais, the museum at the Olduvai Gorge, Seronera Valley and the Grumeti River.

The main lodge is one large building that has a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding landscape with the roof open to the sky. We saw some incredible sunsets from the patio that is accessible from the main dining room. Upon our arrival, we were welcomed with cool drinks and snacks.

This was one property that offered wi-fi in the rooms – most others only offer it within the lobby area.

The building contains lounges, a dining room and a terrace with an infinity pool. Its style is modern African with a fresh and bright atmosphere – cosy, but with a touch of luxury.

Tents are built on permanent structures of raised wood platforms.

Our tent had a large queen bed with mosquito netting. There is also a seating area at the front where you can sit and enjoy the view and hear the animals down the hills at night.

One of the nicest parts of these tents is that each one has en-suite facilities and an outdoor shower.  We relished the refreshing shower under the stars after a dusty day on the safari trails.

Each tent has its own private terrace and we were thrilled when we spotted zebra and wildebeest from ours.  The family room is divided into 2 interconnected rooms.

The evening meal is served as a buffet. Lunch gives you the option to pack your own with the assistance of the staff onsite. They will assemble sandwiches, sides and drinks according to your preferences. The lunch we had onsite one day was also fabulous with made to order family-style pizza, lasagna and salad being served.

We stayed here for 2 nights and each morning were awakened by the barks of hyenas and the braying of zebra just a few dozen metres from our unit.

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is a 66 unit property that is set up to resemble a traditional African village.  Throughout the camp, the design includes indigenous crafts and cultural details.  The camp is set high on a hill that overlooks the Serengeti plains below. We were warmly welcomed by musicians and singers.

A flagstone path links the units to one another as well as the main reception area. Behind the reception area is a tropical garden that leads to a bar and dining area. There is also a lovely pool, laundry facilities, massage services and even babysitting services.

The rooms are unique and resemble African huts with thatched roofs dotted around the property.

Each one includes fans, telephone, free wifi, satellite TV, safes and hairdryers. These rooms were the smallest that we stayed in on our trip but still provided us with ample space and a private patio. Room service is also available.

The food here was excellent. There was a huge buffet with multiple food stations. The food was hot, fresh and varied. This was the best place we ate on our whole trip. Keep in mind that the Serena properties are very popular and as a result, they are typically very busy. This does mean there will be a lot of people in the lounge and dining rooms versus a smaller property.

Aside from the many wild dik-diks that we saw around the property, there is even one that resides inside the hotel.  We got a chance to meet it as it wandered from table to table inside the restaurant.

We also spotted zebra on the property when we were loading into our safari vehicles before leaving just before dawn, for our hot air balloon ride, on the last day of our stay here.

Luxury Lodges That We Visited

We had an opportunity to do a site visit at a couple of luxury lodges – one was a Tented camp and one was a traditional lodge.

Tarangire Kuro Tree Top Lodge

This tented camp is situated in Tarangire National Park high on a hill and overlooking the Tarangire River.  Each of the 25 luxury tents is perched atop the baobab tree line and all walls are made of canvas.

When we visited, the main lodge was still under construction and the lounge and dining areas were located in separate tented areas. All were quite lavish and it was hard to know you were even in a tent.

The rooms are luxuriously furnished including a king-size bed, luxury bedding, chandelier, and finely appointed with indoor and outdoor showers, a large soaker tub and wrap-around veranda. This is definitely high-end camping at its best.

Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge

This is one of the most luxurious lodges that we have seen.  Located on the rim of the Great Rift Vally and overlooking Lake Manyara this venue has 50 ultra-high-end units that feature dual indoor showers, natural outdoor showers, baths, fireplaces, a private balcony, a safe, wifi internet and a minibar.  

The units are situated in a lush garden setting and the views are spectacular.  

The main lodge, dining room and bar are impeccably decorated in an opulent colonial feel with massive ceilings adorned with mounted animal heads and leather furniture.

There is an infinity pool, spa service, laundry revive, gym, boutique, media room and boardroom.  There is even a library where you can read a book or play a game. Staff onsite were reserved and available for any request no matter your need. True luxury.

The Final Word…What Is The Difference Between Tented Camps and Lodges?

We hope the above information has shown the difference between tented camps and lodges. As we said at the outset, we were fortunate enough to stay at both on our Tanzanian Safari experience.  

Whatever you decide, we feel that you will have the experience of a lifetime and which one you choose really depends on your personal lifestyle preferences.  On the other hand, why not do what we did and do both?  

Either way, make sure to put a Tanzania Safari Lodge stay on your bucket list!