Our Favorite Places in Tanzania
Wild Luxury, Conservation, and Connection
Tanzania is one of those rare places where the wild still whispers its ancient stories—where every sunrise holds a promise, and where art, conservation, and travel come together to transform not just your journey, but your perspective.
For John Banovich and all of us at Wildscapes Travel, this country isn’t just a destination—it’s a deep source of inspiration. From the sweeping plains of the Serengeti to quiet, soulful forests near Lake Burunge, these are the lodges and camps we return to again and again—places that move us with every visit.
Mwiba Lodge – Legendary Expeditions
📍 Mwiba Wildlife Reserve, Southern Serengeti
Why we love it:
Mwiba is unapologetically wild and wildly refined. Nestled on a rocky outcrop above a lush gorge, this sanctuary blends privacy, art, and raw wilderness. It’s where John often sketches, surrounded by elephants below and birdsong all around. Mwiba also partners with local tribes, giving travelers a powerful cultural exchange alongside extraordinary wildlife moments.
When to go:
🗓 June through October – Fantastic game viewing year-round, with the annual wildebeest migration on the Maswa and Mwiba concessions in January, February and March... and the southern migration herds pass through during January to March.
📌 Peak calving and migration: January to March on the Mwiba and Maswa concessions.
One unforgettable experience:
Sketching from the cliffs at golden hour, as elephants gather below and the world falls into a quiet rhythm known only to those who pause long enough to feel it.
Nyasi Migrational Camp – Legendary Expeditions
📍 Seasonally located in Northern & Southern Serengeti
Why we love it:
Following the rhythm of the Great Migration, Nyasi feels alive. This luxury mobile camp is stylish yet unpretentious—perfect for those who want to be close to nature and closer to the action. Wherever the wildebeest roam, Nyasi is never far behind.
When to go:
🗓 June to October (North) | December to March (South)
One unforgettable experience:
Waking to the thunder of hooves just outside your tent—tens of thousands of wildebeest on the move. It’s not just a safari. It’s a living epic.
Singita Sasakwa Lodge & Serengeti House
📍 Grumeti Reserve, Western Serengeti (Greater Serengeti Ecosystem)
Why we love it:
Sasakwa is where Edwardian elegance meets African drama. With sweeping views over the plains, its grand manor house style is offset by the untamed wilderness below. Serengeti House, ideal for families or small groups, is your own private retreat with five-star service and space to breathe.
When to go:
🗓 June to October for dry-season game viewing.
☀️ November to February also offer spectacular sightings and fewer crowds
One unforgettable experience:
A candlelit dinner on the lawn at Serengeti House, giraffes in the distance, laughter under the stars, and dishes inspired by the land and its rhythms.
Little Chem Chem & Chem Chem Lodge
📍 Burunge Wildlife Management Area, near Tarangire and Lake Manyara
Why we love it:
This is safari at its most soulful. Little Chem Chem is intimate and raw, while Chem Chem Lodge leans into slow travel, conservation, and culture. Known as the “sunrise camp,” this region is also home to some of the last great tuskers—a heart-stopping sight.
When to go:
🗓 June to November – Dry season draws wildlife to the Tarangire River and freshwater pans.
One unforgettable experience:
Walking silently with your guide through the bush and locking eyes with a towering elephant—close enough to feel the earth tremble, far enough to feel safe.
Forest Chem Chem – Private Use Lodge
📍 Lake Burunge, Tarangire Ecosystem
Why we love it:
Forest Chem Chem is exclusive, secluded, and utterly charming. With only one group at a time, it’s perfect for family adventures, milestone celebrations, or just reconnecting in nature. Under the forest canopy, it feels like your own hidden world.
When to go:
🗓 June to November – Best weather for family-friendly safaris and fewer mosquitoes.
One unforgettable experience:
Private Maasai dance around your campfire, stories passed down through generations, and the deep peace of having a wild, magical corner of Tanzania all to yourself.
Where the Wild Still Lives
Tanzania isn’t just one of our favorite places in Africa—it’s a place that stays with you long after you’ve left. Every lodge and camp we’ve shared is more than just a place to sleep. They’re portals to perspective, sanctuaries of creativity, and guardians of a wilder world.
When you're ready to write your own Tanzanian story, we’re here to help you shape it—one extraordinary encounter at a time.
“You will see Africa through your eyes, but you will feel her through your heart.”