Must-see hotels in East Africa

  • Equator Snow Lodge

    Southwestern Uganda

    Conveniently located for the Central (and Mahoma) Trail, this luxury mountain lodge at the foot of the Rwenzoris has large cottages with fireplaces,…

  • Isamilo Lodge & Spa

    Mwanza

    This hotel has been renovated, and is very good value, especially if you like being away from the town centre. Rooms in the new wing are spacious, and…

  • Malabo Resort

    Northern Kenya

    For our money, this is the best place to stay in Loyangalani, just a few hundred metres north of the village and with slight lake views. There's a range…

  • Lamu House

    Lamu Island

    In a town where every building wants to top the preservation stakes, Lamu House stands out. It consists of two fused Swahili villas. Each of its handful…

  • Mustapha’s Place

    Zanzibar Island

    Mustapha’s has a relaxed Rastafarian atmosphere, creatively decorated rooms and a dorm, all in a large leafy compound, which also has a bar-restaurant,…

  • Inzu Lodge

    Rwanda

    By far the most unusual sleeping option in Gisenyi, this delightful oasis on a sloping hill that lords over majestic Lake Kivu offers comfortably equipped…

  • Jambo House

    Lamu Island

    Hands down the best place in town for budget travellers, this friendly guesthouse is owned by German world traveller Arnold, a treasure trove of all…

  • Rwiza Village

    Rwanda

    ᠎In search of an escape? This lovely venture perched on a hillside sloping down to the lake (there's a pontoon for swimming) offers guests the chance to…

  • Whitesands Sarova Hotel

    South Coast

    Whitesands is beautiful: a seafront Swahili castle of airy corridors, marble accents and wooden detailing uplifted by every flash, modern amenity you can…

  • Serena Beach Hotel & Spa Kenya

    South Coast

    This lovely, polished resort is extensive and is styled on a traditional Swahili village – the pathways around the tree-filled complex even have street…

  • Tamarind Village

    South Coast

    These beautiful self-catering apartments are brought to you by the owners of the excellent Tamarind restaurant (right next door) and Nairobi's Carnivore…

  • Gloria Hotel

    Kigali

    This excellent, central midrange place appears sometimes to spill over into top end with its lavish buffet breakfast served in the gorgeous open-sided…

  • Merry Crab Cove

    Kenya

    We challenge you to find a lovelier backpackers' spot on Kenya's north coast! A converted luxury resort, the Merry Crab retains the rain-head showers and…

  • Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach

    Rwanda

    A mere stone's throw away from the beach, Gisenyi's backpacker mecca is a relaxed and relatively orderly budget choice, with a full complement of…

  • Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

    Kigali

    This well-maintained backpackers' hostel set in verdant grounds offers a very sociable atmosphere, plenty of tours and excursions, and good-value meals…

  • Kijani Hotel

    Lamu Island

    With 10 spacious, palatially decorated rooms scattered across three traditional Swahili houses and overlooking the beach, this tranquil spot sits in the…

  • Kenyaways Kite Village

    Diani Beach

    This small, stylish kitesurfing lodge is one of our favourite places to stay in Diani. The gorgeously rustic rooms are simple but lovely, with painted…

  • Nyore Hillside Retreat

    Southwestern Uganda

    In the owner's family for generations, this hillside set of bandas (thatched-roofed huts) provides a peaceful and welcoming retreat surrounded by coffee…

  • Takashack

    Kilifi

    On gorgeous Takaungu beach and off the electricity grid, this eclectic, relaxed three-bedroom house makes a great escape. Catch the sunrise from the top…

  • Jua House

    Lamu Island

    This five-storey house rises above the sleepy, donkey-filled alleyways of Shela. Apart from the warm welcome and plenty of advice from owner Thomas and…

  • Gisakura Family Hostel

    Rwanda

    On the main road in Gisakura, this zesty number is a solid option with efficient staff and good facilities. Rooms are practical with no flouncy…

  • La Locanda

    Rwanda

    This adorable guesthouse run by a helpful Italian resident is one of those whispered secrets that are passed around by word of mouth. The nine rooms in…

  • Barefoot Beach Camp

    Malindi

    Venture 25km from Malindi, and you can have Mambrui North Beach almost to yourselves at this intimate and relaxed camp, run by fantastic hosts. Glamp in…

  • Milimani Guest House

    Southern Rift Valley

    Perched above the town with soaring views towards the lake, this well-run, stylish place is a tranquil escape from the traffic below. Rooms wrap around a…

  • Tulia House Backpackers

    South Coast

    Backpackers seem to love Tulia. It's clean, well-run and knows how to party. Accommodation is in well-kept dorms, hammocks and good private rooms, while…

  • Emeraude Kivu Resort

    Rwanda

    This well-regarded venture provides an excellent level of comfort and service. The sun-filled, spick-and-span rooms boast pristine bathrooms, well-sprung…

  • Country Lodge

    Northern Tanzania

    Signposted off the main road just north of Karatu, this excellent place offers 22 simple but quiet and tidy rooms in 11 cottages arrayed around 2 hectares…

  • Paradise Lodge

    Wasini Island

    This friendly little dive lodge on the eastern side of Wasini has a range of simple but colourful rooms (the most expensive with en suite), plus two…

  • Diani Backpackers

    Diani Beach

    Stylish and secure, Diani Backpackers has airy dorms, our favourite being Baobab, with an actual baobab growing through its middle, and comfortable…

  • Alba Hotel

    Kenya

    With easily Meru's best rooms, this modern place has Western-style, Western-standard rooms with bright colours and modern furnishings. If you've only…

  • Samburu Guest House

    Northern Kenya

    With a new wing, this hotel has been modernised, with large beds, mosquito nets and TVs in each room. Request a room in the new wing for extra comfort…

  • Cradle Tented Camp

    Northern Kenya

    When not escaping the Turkana heat in the large swimming pool, you can relax on your balcony in front of your large tent, which comes complete with TV,…

  • Hôtel de l'Amitié

    Burundi

    One of the best budget places in town, particularly for couples, as all rooms contain either twin or large double beds (although only one breakfast is…

  • Hotel le Chandelier

    Burundi

    This fine hotel, which offers a huge amount of comfort and excellent service, is the stand out choice in this price range. The enoromous rooms have…

  • Desert Rose

    Northern Kenya

    Your first thought on seeing this incredible lodge is likely to be 'How?' How did anyone find this location, about as far as you can get from Nairobi and…

  • Off Beat Mara

    Masai Mara

    With just six tents on the bend of a tree-lined river, this is one of the smallest and most personable of the Mara North camps, with bush-chic tents…

  • Elephant Pepper

    Masai Mara

    This intimate camp has eight tents that are luxurious without being over the top and food that is of a genuinely high standard. But what really makes…

  • Saruni Wild

    Masai Mara

    Protected from view by a stand of riverine woodland and looking out across the plains of the northern Mara, Saruni Wild sits in the heart of some of Mara…

  • Kendwa Rocks

    Zanzibar Island

    This long-standing Kendwa classic has something for everyone, from basic bandas (thatched-roof huts) with shared bathrooms to luxurious bungalows with…

  • Olarro Lodge

    Masai Mara

    This sublime lodge on the Leleshwa-Olarro Conservancy sits halfway up a lightly forested hill. The cottages have a warm and inviting feel to them, with…

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