a view from a room onto a terrace with a large copper bath overlooking the nearby lake

Tanzania

Laba Siwandu

Nyerere National Park, Southern Tanzania

Tanzania Holiday Ideas

Luxury lakeside safari living, private game drives and exceptional boat safaris in Nyerere.

Laba Siwandu sits on the shores of Lake Nzerakera in Nyerere National Park, offering a luxury safari experience shaped by water, wildlife and open space. With just thirteen spacious lake view tented suites, the camp feels exclusive yet relaxed, combining attentive service with a quieter and more scenic side of safari. Private game drives and walking safaris explore the surrounding wilderness, while the camp’s signature boat safaris reveal a completely different side of Nyerere, from hippos and crocodiles along the shoreline to dramatic sunsets across the Rufiji waterways. Giraffes, hippos and other wildlife are often seen close to camp, adding to the immersive feel throughout the stay. Back at the lodge, exceptional dining, spacious private decks, a swimming pool, gym and wide lake views create a calm atmosphere between activities. Laba Siwandu is perfect for couples and honeymooners looking for refined safari luxury, while still being a strong option for families wanting a more immersive safari experience.

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your Tanzania holiday today.

A team of real travel experts, brilliant at designing bespoke holidays that focus on boutique hotels and luxury hideaways

We were keen to see as many species of bird as possible and the guides were expecting this and each had amazing knowledge of where to find them. Not just that, but they made sure we also got to see many of the rest of the wildlife of the region - everything from amazing numbers of Impala, Giraffe, Elephant, Zebra, lions, Cheetah and Leopard, and even Wild Dog that we had hoped to see but doubted we would be so lucky!
Peter Haine, Tanzania
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an outdoor terrace of a safari tent made of wood, with table, canvas chairs and crocodile style bench
outdoor shower with vivid green tiles in oval shape, towel rack and small table with shampoo and shower gel bottles Laba Siwandu
a dinning area under roof but open space, with wooden chairs and tables, pictures hanging on the wooden beams Laba Siwandu
lounge area at Laba Siwandu with green sofa, large wooden coffee table, wooden crocodile shaped bench and wooden floors Laba Siwandu
a partial view of a swimming pool with fur lounge chairs next to it
a view of a wooden lodge building featuring two joint building made of wood on a safari location with greenery and trees around
inside of a safari tent with large bed, storage trunk and fan hanging above the bed Laba Siwandu, Tanzania
a safari guide dressed in khaki uniform standing and smiling next to a green, open safari jeep
lake views at sunset with pink sky and small boat in distance cruising by
hippos are bathing in the shallow waters of Rufiji river with a bird sitting on top of one
Nyerere National Park floodplains and rivers
a safari tent with tached roof, wooden terrace, with view into the room with bed at Laba Siwandu

"We loved our stay at Laba Siwandu. The location is stunning, with beautiful views across the lake and wildlife roaming freely close to camp. The tents were luxurious and comfortable, with the large hot tub on the terrace being a real highlight. The staff were warm and friendly, and the guides incredibly knowledgeable, making our safari experience exceptional from start to finish. We will certainly return one day."

Nyerere National Park
13 luxury tented suites
Eco-focus
Wifi
On-site dining
2 pools
Laba Siwandu, Tanzania

Why we love it here

  • Set on the shores of Lake Nzerakera, Laba Siwandu offers a quieter and more scenic side of Nyerere National Park.
  • Wildlife is right on your doorstep, with hippos, giraffes, elephants and birdlife regularly seen around camp.
  • Private game drives allow each day to move entirely at your own pace, with flexibility around sightings and timings.
  • Boat safaris are a true highlight here, offering a completely different perspective of the bush and Rufiji waterways.
  • The guiding is exceptional, knowledgeable, personal and tailored to your interests rather than a fixed schedule.
  • The spacious tented suites combine understated luxury with large decks, outdoor hot tubs and beautiful lake views.
  • Exceptional food, attentive service, a swimming pool and gym create a relaxed atmosphere between activities.
  • It delivers a refined safari stay that balances classic game viewing with the slower rhythm of Tanzania’s southern wilderness.
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Call 01273 923100 to start planning your Tanzania Holiday today.

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inside of a safari tent with large bed, storage trunk and fan hanging above the bed Laba Siwandu, Tanzania

Rooms

Each tented suite overlooks Lake Nzerakera, with wide views across the water where hippos, birdlife and other wildlife are often seen close to camp. The design feels spacious and considered, with Makuti thatched roofs and a style that stays true to its surroundings while offering a high level of comfort. Large private terraces feature lounge areas, dining space and a freestanding copper bathtub, becoming a natural place to pause between activities or take in the changing light across the water. Open-air tiled showers, organic cotton bedding and thoughtful safari touches throughout add to the calm and relaxed atmosphere of the suites.

a table set with plates of food with avocado, eggs, watermelon and tomatoes, cup of coffee and cuttlery

Food

Food here is fresh, varied and thoughtfully prepared using locally sourced ingredients, with a focus on simple, well-executed dishes. Lunch is relaxed and flexible, served either in the shade of old trees, by the riverbed or out in the bush, depending on the day. Expect light, flavourful options alongside more traditional dishes, including a standout Tanzanian curry prepared by the lodge’s chef.

Evenings shift the pace, with the choice of dining in the main area or outside by the river, where the setting often becomes part of the experience. Meals feel generous and unforced, with a homemade quality that complements the overall feel of the lodge.

a man standing on a boat floating on a lake looking out with his binoculars with table laid with food next to him - Laba Siwandu, Tanzania

Activities

Activities at Laba Siwandu are shaped by both land and water, creating a slower and more varied safari experience in Nyerere National Park. Private game drives allow you to explore at your own pace, without fixed schedules or shared vehicles, giving you the flexibility to spend more time at sightings and wildlife encounters.

Boat safaris are the true highlight here, offering a completely different perspective of the landscape. Cruising along the Rufiji waterways and across the lake, you regularly encounter hippos, crocodiles, elephants crossing the channels and extraordinary birdlife, all set against beautiful sunrise and sunset light. Walking safaris and night drives add another dimension to the experience, revealing the quieter and more elusive side of Nyerere after dark.

Bush breakfasts, pontoon lunches and sundowners all add to the relaxed rhythm of the camp, while the swimming pool, gym and lakeside setting create an easy place to unwind between activities.

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a pool with wooden decking, palm trees and lounge chairs overlooking the nearby lake at Laba Siwandu
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Well, we are back to reality after a fabulous trip to Tanzania – very much a holiday of a lifetime and one we will never forget.

Glenn Hanson, Tanzania

We were keen to see as many species of bird as possible and the guides were expecting this and each had amazing knowledge of where to find them. Not just that, but they made sure we also got to see many of the rest of the wildlife of the region - everything from amazing numbers of Impala, Giraffe, Elephant, Zebra, lions, Cheetah and Leopard, and even Wild Dog that we had hoped to see but doubted we would be so lucky!

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Thank you for arranging a fantastic holiday. We both really enjoyed ourselves and felt totally refreshed upon our return. The game viewing was spectacular, we were so lucky to see the pantheon of game on offer including hyena, wild dog and leopard, as well as a different pride of lion on each day we went out.

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