Banyan Tree Opens Ubuyu, Its First Luxury Safari Resort, in Tanzania

Banyan Tree Group opened Ubuyu, A Banyan Tree Escape, in Tanzania's Ruaha National Park in early May, marking the brand's first luxury safari resort and its debut on mainland Africa. The property is set on a private concession bordering one of East Africa's largest protected areas.

Each tented suite has a private plunge pool, an outdoor shower, and a covered viewing deck overlooking the Great Ruaha River. Raised wooden walkways link the suites to the main lodge, library, and a spa pavilion offering Banyan Tree treatments adapted for the African setting.

Ruaha hosts roughly 10 percent of Africa's remaining lion population and has elephant herds in the thousands. Game drives, walking safaris with armed guides, and night drives are included in nightly rates. Hot-air balloon flights can be added during the dry season from June through October.

Ubuyu sits in a relatively quiet corner of the African safari circuit. Traveler counts in Ruaha are a fraction of those in Serengeti or Maasai Mara, and Banyan Tree is positioning the property for guests who have already done the headline destinations and are looking for less crowded alternatives.

All-inclusive rates start in the low thousands of dollars per person per night, climbing in peak dry season. Most guests arrive via a 90-minute light-aircraft flight from Dar es Salaam, which connects to scheduled international service from Doha, Dubai, and Istanbul.