Opening in late 2025, Ubuyu, A Banyan Tree Escape is an intimate retreat for safari lovers. It’s the perfect home base for exploring one of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets.
The Banyan Tree brand is hardly an unknown name—its resorts around the globe promise truly unique stays. With Buahan in Ubud, Bali, the company launched its new Banyan Tree Escapes collection, designed to offer deeply resonant experiences in nature—combining luxury with sustainability. Now, the second Banyan Tree Escape is already on the horizon: Ubuyu in central Tanzania, slated to open in late 2025.
Guests can choose from six solar-powered villas as retreats. Generously proportioned and equipped with up to three bedrooms, they blend almost seamlessly into their surroundings - after all, they were built from pure natural materials. Think of wood, clay and straw, for example. Inspired by the typical Maasai circular buildings, the accommodation features outdoor showers, plunge pools and terraces with breathtaking views. Traditional wooden furniture from the expert hands of local craftsmen lend the villas warmth and style.
A dedicated escape host is available during your stay. He knows the country, the wildlife and the local communities and accompanies the guests on walking safaris and takes care of special moments, such as dinner on the riverbank or a meeting with the locals. Although, with a bit of luck, you can already spot representatives of the animal world from your own terrace, the true highlight surrounds the resort on over 20,000 square kilometers.
Ubuyu, whose name is derived from the Swahili word for baobab fruit, is the gateway to RuahaNational Park. Following its recent expansion, it's even larger than the Serengeti National Park, making it the largest national park in East Africa. One of the largest elephant populations on the entire continent lives here, and visitors will also encounter the largest density of lions in the world. In addition, over 570 bird species are constantly being spotted. And yet there's much less going on here than in the better-known national parks, allowing guests to enjoy a particularly intimate safari experience.
Back at Ubuyu, A Banyan Tree Escape, you can watch the stars from a roof terrace, gather in the common room to review the day's experiences and watch how regional menus are created in the open kitchen using ingredients from nearby farms. Add to this a drink from Mganga Bar, breathtaking views of the river and relaxing massages in the spa - and the eco-safari becomes an extremely luxurious undertaking.
Ubuyu, A Banyan Tree Escape
Opening: end of 2025
escape.banyantree.com - doubles from $ 2,000
