About

5.0

#1 of 1 all-inclusive in Kipili

Location

Cleanliness

Service

Value

Lupita Island is the ultimate private retreat, offering luxurious accommodations set amidst a pristine natural habitat. Located on Lake Tanganyika, this 130-acre private island has eleven lavishly decorated, thatched-roof living spaces and two family cottages that offer breathtaking, uninterrupted views of Africa's second largest lake. As a guest of Lupita Island, you may enjoy a variety of water sports or soak in the tranquil beauty of the island from the privacy of your open-air room.

Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing

Property amenities

Pool

Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room

Free breakfast

Beach

Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)

Airport transportation

Spa

Baggage storage

Outdoor pool

Bar / lounge

Restaurant

Currency exchange

Non-smoking hotel

Laundry service

Room features

Air conditioning

Fireplace

Room service

Minibar

Refrigerator

Room types

Non-smoking rooms

Family rooms

Good to know

HOTEL STYLE

Romantic

Location

Lake Tanganyika, Kipili Tanzania

See all nearby hotels

38Reviews3Q+A11Room tips

Reviews
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.

When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.

Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.

Learn more about our review moderation.

Write a review

Sort by:

Most Recent

Guide12565503107 wrote a review Oct 2022

8 contributions1 helpful vote

Unique experience

The lodge is located on an island on Lake Tanganyka. It takes about 4 hours to drive from Katavi airport to the lakeshores of the lake and there the lodge’s boat picks up the guests for a short ride. The road is not bad in dry season. This is a remote area of Tanzania, very interesting landscape. The lodge is amazing: the suites do not have windows and doors, I slept under nets in plain air, surrounded by nature, enjoying birds singing early in the morning and the breeze from the lake. The view to the lake is scenic! The suite is located on the top of the Island. Staff is genuinely nice, well trained, most of them from neighboring villages. They tried their best to accommodate my requests. Very delicious food. Kayaking around the island and snorkeling is included. I enjoyed both. Very interesting vegetation and landscape. I recommend to go for sunset cruise, amazing view when on the lake. Congratulations to the management and staff for maintaining this lodge in a such of remote area. Relaxing and unique experience! It was worth to travel from Dar es Salaam. I combined it with 2 nights at Katavi National Park.…

Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled solo

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

sarahmac wrote a review Oct 2020

12 contributions

The Island of Sunrise and Sunsets

Arriving by a traditional boat, skippered by two friendly staff, nothing can prepare you for what lies ahead. In this remote part of Tanzania, Lupita Island resort offers luxury accommodation, excellent food and superb customer service. Golf carts take you up the steep track to an imposing lounge, bar and dining room area. From here, on a clear day, you can see to the imposing mountains of the DRC, some 44km across the lake. A games room, complete with a pool table, table tennis and table football, was a hit with the family, as well as the pool area for relaxation. We were fortunate to stay in the Livingston Suite, a large open plan, two bedroom villa, which has sweeping views over the lake. Each room has a plunge pool, perfect for taking a dip to cool off, whilst still enjoying the views. The island is a paradise for birds and otters can regularly be seen whilst kayaking around the clear waters of the island. Each evening, we enjoyed dinner in a different location, in the opulent dining room, by the pool and, my favourite evening, under the stars by the camp fire. There is virtually no light pollution here so the night skies are spectacular. The three course dinners were delicious. The owners are extremely friendly and could not do enough to make our stay memorable. For me the icing on the cake for this resort was being able to lie in bed, watching the sunrise over Tanzania and then in the evening, from the viewing deck, relax and watch the sunset over the Congo. Thank you to all at Lupita who made our stay so wonderful. We very much hope to return. …

Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled with family

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

timothyl968 wrote a review Oct 2019

Amsterdam2 contributions1 helpful vote

Fantasy Island

This deluxe slice of paradise is a welcome break between safari camps. It is a luxurious escape from early morning game drives and sundowner drinks are enjoyed on a lovely afternoon boat cruise after a refreshing dip in Lake Tanganyika. The lounge, dining areas and bungalows are beautifully decorated with antiques and artifacts from all over Africa. The staff is amazing and attentive, the food is fantastic and the ambiance is heavenly. We prefer this to the coast for our relaxation either or post safari. Would we come again?...absolutely this was our sixth visit and we are booked again for next year!

Date of stay: August 2019Trip type: Travelled with friends

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

Bonnie_M_Snr wrote a review May 2019

Tabora Region, Tanzania7 contributions

+1

Mr. Boniface M Maneno

Lupita Island is a magnificent place to visit with very charming and welcoming staffs. The most precious memory will forever be the kayaking evening trip going round the island.The road trip from Mbeya to Sumbawanga and from Sumbawanga to Namanyere to Kipili village prior to crossing by boat to the island.

Date of stay: April 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

tbhaumik wrote a review Jul 2018

San Mateo, California1 contribution

Experiences of a lifetime!

We are a well traveled family and our experience with Firelight Safaris ended with a magical stay at Lupita Island which tops all of our global adventures. After a a week of experiencing the wonders of the Serengeti and Ngorogoro, we arrived to Lupita Island which is an intimate island hideaway, that is the definition of luxurious. From the moment we arrived, Belinda, Dave and the rest of the staff made us feel like family. They did everything to make us feel at home. The food was delicious and abundant and the accommodations were over the top. The indoor/outdoor suites were so exclusive and private, it felt like the island was our own personal playground. If you make the decision to spend your holiday with Firelight Safaris and Lake Lupita, you won't be disappointed. Our memories of this trip will last forever and I hope to return.…

Date of stay: June 2018

Cleanliness

Service

Sleep Quality

Trip type: Travelled with family

Room Tip: We stayed in the Livingston family suite which was perfect for our family of four.

See more room tips

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

Clare_H_3000 wrote a review Jul 2018

Melbourne, Australia1 contribution

Dream Come True!

I've put off writing this review for a few weeks, as every time I sit down to write - words fail me. However, several weeks after returning to our hectic lives back home the fond memories of our trip to Tanzania and Lupita Island remind me of what's really important and are the impetus to plans for our return trip! Lupita Island - and everything which goes with it - needs to be experienced to do it justice! Words fail to adequately describe Belinda's incredible hospitality (which makes one feel like a loved family member); the amazing staff (who are genuinely passionate about making your stay the best it could be); the more than ample and totally delicious food (which we still talk about weeks after our departure); and the absolutely awesome accommodation! Put simply: the whole Lupita Island experience is a dream come true. Heaven on earth. Not to be missed.…

Date of stay: June 2018

Cleanliness

Service

Sleep Quality

Trip type: Travelled as a couple

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

stanley o wrote a review Jan 2018

1 contribution1 helpful vote

Unforgettable Lupita Adventure

Lupita Island has been such an amazing experience, in every way. I cannot even begin to describe how stunning this place is. Aside from its beauty, there where numerous exciting activities which kept us entertained, with many great locations in the area and around the island to explore. All the wonderful staff have gone above and beyond to make our stay more than perfect. This beautiful piece of paradise has left me with many fond memories that I will forever look back on. Many Thanks to all those who made it possible. Asante sana

Date of stay: January 2018Trip type: Travelled with friends

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

1 Helpful vote

Helpful

Share

BradBr wrote a review Nov 2017

1 contribution

Magical Lupita Island--don't miss it

After a week or two bouncing around game parks over hot dusty trails, sleeping in tents (no matter how luxurious), and chasing chimpanzees up and down the hills at Mahale, a few days of R & R at Lupita Island Resort were the absolutely perfect way to end our safari. I give the resort 5 stars and it is so extraordinary I just wish there were more stars for places and experiences this special. This resort has 13 luxurious thatched roof "cottages, each one with total privacy. Ours, which was about 1800 sq. ft, had a beautiful view of a neighboring island and Lake Tanganyika, a soaking tub, a deck area, a plunge pool, and a well stocked bar. None of the cottages have windows or doors, but you do not need them and they would spoil the view. The main lodge is spacious and the pool and other amenities are excellent. This slice of paradise is watched over by Belinda and her amazing staff who could not be more accommodating. While never "hovering", the staff were always available for whatever you could want. The price includes the drinks and meals and both were wonderful. The chef who comes from the local community on the mainland was superb and was even willing to share some of his recipes with me. I won't spoil it for others, but Belinda's surprise on our last evening was a highlight of our entire African adventure. My wife and I visited as part of a significant birthday trip and hope we will be able to return in a couple of years for a significant anniversary. There is absolutely nothing I would change about our stay at Lupita Island Resort except to stay longer.…

Date of stay: August 2017

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

emshagley wrote a review Aug 2017

Phuket Town, Thailand2 contributions4 helpful votes

Extraordinary Lupita Adventure

Lupita Island was an unforgettable experience!!! Belinda and Tom were incredibly helpful during our entire experience. The staff welcomed us with open arms and provided impeccable service throughout our entire stay. Every meal was home cooked gourmet goodness. The sunset cruises and swims in the beautiful blue waters of Lake Tanganyika were magical. They organized all of our amazing day trips with great care including swimming off a private beach and a trip to a local village. The open air luxurious rooms are private, spacious, with spectacular views and excellent for star gazing. I even saw a shooting star! On our last night, they organized a special entertainment surprise, which made for the perfect topper to our outstanding adventure. Thank you again for the memories that will last a lifetime.…

Date of stay: June 2017

Value

Location

Service

Trip type: Travelled with friends

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

Hugh K wrote a review Feb 2017

2 contributions

Great Ending to a Great Adventure

I will say that I didn't think that the end of my trip to Tanzania was going to be as fantastic as this. The accommodations were fantastic, the staff amazingly friendly, and helpful, plus the food and drinks made life on this African Island a time that I will never forget. I will always look back with fondness, and a hope to return one day. Thanks to everyone on the Island.

Date of stay: July 2016

Rooms

Location

Service

Trip type: Travelled with friends

Room Tip: All the rooms had a lake view, and were outstanding!

See more room tips

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

PreviousNext