Arusha

African View Lodge is located halfway between Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha, close to the gateway to Arusha National Park. Because of its location, the lodge is ideally situated to stay after your arrival from Europe. If you want to spend the first day of your safari in Arusha National Park, for example, we recommend that you spend a second night at this lodge. The African View Lodge (opened 2016) was built by "Kilimanjaro record climber" Debbie Bachmann and her husband Horst with great attention to detail and offers a total of 20 rooms with shower/WC, which are divided into ten bungalows. You can also stay in the tent called "Tree House". This is a comfortably furnished tent with a bathroom, which has not been built into a tree, but is slightly elevated between the bungalows. The garden with swimming pool is surrounded by the 21 rooms in the heart of the lodge and offers a unique view of Mount Meru when the sky is clear, which of course makes this lodge very popular and sought after. The 20 standard rooms, in addition to the numbers, also have names that give their visitors a little introduction to a particular area of Tanzania. For example, in the room called "Tarangire" you can find a large elephant as a mural, coupled with the slogan "the only ones who should wear ivory are elephants" or in the room called "Grzimek", a blackboard on the wall explains the life work of the legendary zoologist. It is these and many other small details that make this lodge a special oasis of well-being. The main building has a reception, massage room, toilets, TV room and a restaurant with a very cozy atmosphere. We recommend African View Lodge to any climber of Mount Meru or to guests who start or end their itinerary in Arusha National Park. This lodge offers great value for money a few days before or after your safari.

Airport Planet Lodge is located only a few hundred metres from Kilimanjaro International Airport, which makes this lodge a perfect place to stay for very early morning departures. The transfer to the airport is offered free of charge to guests of the lodge and takes a hand-stopped 7 minutes by ourselves. Besides the great location, Airport Planet Lodge offers everything you need for a late afternoon/evening or overnight stay before an international flight: A very good local cuisine, a nice swimming pool, a spacious colourful garden and of course very tasteful and usefully furnished guest rooms. In total, the lodge has 35 rooms in different categories. All rooms offer air conditioning, TV and also their own coffee and tea station. Those who want to do some physical exercise before a departure can use the large pool as well as a small fitness room or take a walk along the lodge's own "walking trail". Logically, Airport Planet Lodge is not a lodge where you spend more than one night or where you start your safari. We only recommend it as accommodation before a very early international departure from Kilimanjaro Airport. In exceptional cases, guests may spend half a night here if they arrive very late at night at Kilimanjaro Airport and do not want to drive all the way to Arusha.

Arumeru River Lodge was built by us and opened in 2003. We wanted to create a lodge in the Arusha area that has a stylish character and where guests can feel at home. Only 35 minutes from Kilimanjaro Airport, Arumeru River Lodge gives a real "out-of-Africa" feeling. Tucked away behind an old coffee plantation with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, the lodge is a tranquil oasis in the middle of a tropical garden. Comfortable rooms, tastefully furnished in African designs, a tropical garden and a large solar-heated swimming pool make your stay comfortable. The chef will spoil you with delicate menus and a selection of excellent wines. The lodge offers several attractive half-day activities in the neighbourhood, which can be organised at short notice. Explore the neighbouring rainforest, or the lively village market. Experience first-hand the basics of growing and roasting coffee, or explore Arusha. Arusha National Park is just a few minutes' drive away and can easily be visited as part of a full-day safari. Of course, we have a very personal relationship with Arumeru River Lodge and also visit at least twice a year. The lodge has developed into what it is today: a perfect place before or after your safari! Relax here for a day or two at the lovely pool and in the idyllic gardens before continuing your journey.

Situated on the outskirts of Arusha on one of Tanzania's largest coffee plantations, Arusha Coffee Lodge is an ideal base from which to begin or end your safari through Tanzania's northern parks. Whether you want to stretch your legs with a walk around the idyllic property after a long flight, or relax a little by the swimming pool after your safari, Arusha Coffee Lodge offers you these options in a quiet and relaxing ambience. A total of 30 rooms are spread out among the thousands of coffee bushes surrounding the neat main house, which dates back to the early 1900s. Coffee Lodge is one of Arusha's upscale accommodations, which is not only visible in the cozy and stylishly furnished main house, but is also noticeable in the spacious rooms. There is a lot of attention to detail here - coffee is omnipresent here, and in the suites coffee beans can even be found in a glass partition. The twelve suites in total stand out with a larger bathroom and a nice sitting area below the bedroom. Even for guests who are not staying at Arusha Coffee Lodge, a visit is worthwhile: If you arrive in Tanzania very early in the morning after your international flight, there is a chance to stop at Coffee Lodge before your safari in Tarangire or Manyara to enjoy an open-air breakfast on the terrace.

This hotel in the heart of Arusha is also known as the "New Arusha Hotel" and carries a long and colourful history. The hotel became famous in the 60s thanks to John Wayne, Hardy Krüger and the movie "Hatari". However, it originally opened its doors in 1894 and was then called "The Arusha Hotel". Over the decades, it developed from what was initially the first hotel in East Africa to one of the most popular hotels in Arusha and, at the latest since the tourism boom in the early 1990s, the hotel has been a popular starting point for safaris. In 2017, the Marriott hotel chain took over the hotel and, after an extensive renovation, opened the hotel in new splendour with its Four Points by Sheraton brand. The hotel has 114 stylish rooms, free Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, a 24-hour gym, the restaurant "Parachichi", and the famous Hatari Bar. Parachichi Restaurant, which means "avocado" in Swahili, overlooks the beautiful garden and is the perfect place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. We appreciate this hotel for its special history but also for its ideal location in the centre of Arusha. For travellers who like to explore Arusha on their own, the Four Points Arusha is highly recommended.

Part of the Spanish Meliá hotel chain, the Gran Meliá Arusha only opened in 2019 and is one of the best hotels in Arusha. It is located in the city centre of Arusha, about 45 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport and 20 minutes from Arusha Airport. The luxurious 171 rooms and suites are decorated in earthy tones and offer panoramic views of Mount Meru and the gardens surrounding the hotel from their balconies. At the signature restaurant "Yellow Chili", Chef Sanjeev Kapoor serves exciting Indian cuisine inspired by the traditional dishes of the Punjab region. Local and seasonal dishes with international influences await in the beautiful "Saba Saba" restaurant, coffee and tea from the plantations surrounding the hotel are available in the Coffee Shop, and sophisticated cocktails and Peruvian-Spanish fusion cuisine - including views of Mount Meru - are offered on the sixth-floor rooftop terrace. A spa with a heated outdoor pool and a gym complete the facilities. The exclusive RedLevel service with private check-in and service can be booked for an extra charge. This hotel really leaves nothing to be desired. Behind the hotel is the artist's workshop "Sanaa", which we warmly recommend our guests to visit. Besides great ideas for gifts, decorations or souvenirs, Sanaa also has an excellent café and restaurant where you can have a very good lunch. We recommend the Gran Meliá Arusha to travellers who want a high level of comfort during their stay in Arusha, and who may want to relax for a full day between two nights before or after the safari, without leaving the hotel.

This beautiful private house is managed exclusively by Lemala Camps and Lodges. Hamerkop House is located on a wildlife and golf estate, Kiligolf, situated halfway between Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha, and offers a great place to start or finish your safari. It is perfect for couples, families or small groups travelling together. Each bedroom is en suite with a private verandah and lounge. The house can be taken on a private exclusive use basis or shared and offers an all-inclusive package. Arusha is the gateway to some of Tanzania’s best national parks, and Hamerkop House a great way to recover from the rigours of your journey to Africa – or to sit and reminisce on your adventures before starting your journey home, start your safari experience. Access to Tanzania’s only championship golf course means guests can enjoy a relaxing and incredibly scenic round under the shadow of both Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro. Choosing this house, you can rest assured that you will enjoy the famed Lemala level of service, guaranteeing that from start to finish you will be exceptionally well looked after with a tailored experience and more importantly, you can enjoy the special offers available throughout the Lemala portfolio, combining a stay here with any of the tented camps and lodges on safari.

Kahawa House is conveniently located just behind Arusha at the western exit of the city. This makes the cozy lodge the ideal starting point on the way to the national parks in northern Tanzania. In addition, Kahawa House is only a few minutes away from the Arusha airport, which also makes the lodge a good starting point before a flight to the Serengeti or Zanzibar. Only opened in 2019, Kahawa House offers a total of 28 spacious and modern guest rooms spread over four two-storey buildings. The design of the rooms is elegant and perfectly in tune with the African style with a mix of light colours and brown wooden elements. The bathroom has a bathtub and a comfortable shower, which comes in handy after a late evening arrival from Europe. Each room also has a small terrace with chairs and a table. "Kahawa"(coffee in Kiswahili), is of course also a big theme around the lodge, as there are several coffee plantations in this region. The main building with a bright courtyard is beautifully designed overlooking the swimming pool. Outside there is a terrace where breakfast, lunch and dinner are also served. We recommend Kahawa House to travellers who have a late arrival in Tanzania and either fly on to the Serengeti the next morning or start towards Tarangire/Manyara or Ngorongoro with their driver/guide.

Legendary Lodge is situated on an active coffee plantation in the foothills of Mount Meru on the western edge of Arusha and is, in our view, the most luxurious accommodation at the gates of Tanzania's famous Northern Safari Circuit. The lodge's tranquil grounds are home to 10 private cottages and two generously proportioned family cottages. It is definitely worth spending two or three nights here to recharge your batteries before or after a safari. The seclusion of the private cottages with oversized beds and bathrooms offer the highest level of comfort one can expect from Arusha's finest lodge. The lodge is the ideal start and end point for a safari and allows you to truly relax amidst lush vegetation, indulge in restorative spa treatments, visit the neighbouring coffee plantation and enjoy delicious food. We recommend a stay for very discerning clients who want to slow down after arriving in Tanzania or spend a few more quiet, relaxing days in luxurious surroundings after their safari instead of flying to Zanzibar.

Mount Meru Game Lodge is situated in a beautiful and tranquil setting between the Usa River and its own sanctuary. The reserve is home to water buffalo, birds and monkeys, including the rare colobus monkey. Conveniently located just 30 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport, the lodge is a good base for any safari. The lodge had its beginnings in 1959 when Dr Von Nagy bought the property as a family home. The main building dates back to the 1930s and was originally the home of the manager of a coffee plantation. Dr Von Nagy's passion was animals and he quickly turned his family home into an animal sanctuary. He established the Mount Meru Wildlife Reserve, (to protect wildlife on Mount Meru) which is now part of Arusha National Park. He also helped the government set up the Wildlife College and used his animal sanctuary as a training centre for students. His home and passion attracted visitors from near and far, rooms were added to accommodate his visitors. This makes it one of the oldest lodges in northern Tanzania. The rooms were built over the last 50 years. The oldest room was built in 1961 and is one of the oldest hotel rooms in Tanzania. The lodge has a total of 17 guest rooms, including 13 double rooms, 2 single rooms, 1 family room with connecting door and 1 large family or triple room with single unit. There is a terrace at the front of the main building, which offers lovely views over the manicured gardens. There is an outdoor dining area and swimming pool in the grounds of the lodge. The highlight of the lodge is the extended area of the garden, which is still home to some animals such as zebra and antelope.

Onsea House was founded in 2006 as a small but luxurious bed & breakfast. From the beginning this establishment strived to bring greater comfort and better food than any other guesthouse or restaurant, with more personalized service than in a hotel and more privacy than a lodge resort. Machweo Wellness Retreat & Fine Dining was opened next to Onsea House in 2011 as boutique hotel. Machweo brings an even more luxurious and tranquil environment while maintaining the same personal approach. All 9 new rooms offer top class amenities and a private balcony and have amazing views on sunset (‘machweo’ in Swahili) and Mount Meru. Unwind by the pool with a cocktail or get completely relaxed in the wellness center where you can enjoy a massage or take a sauna or hammam. Enjoy an amazing meal in the critically acclaimed restaurant by star chef Axel Janssens and his team. Mixing local influences with classic French cuisine and only working with the best and freshest products, every bite and every sip will be an experience for your senses. Machweo can be your home base for a safari or Kilimanjaro climb with beach holiday extension on Zanzibar. Onsea House and Machweo Retreat are the hidden gems you have been looking for: a refuge for those who enjoy the finer things in life.

Situated between Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha, with views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Rivertrees is perfectly situated to explore the many nature reserves of this region. This lodge is nestled in an oasis of nature that was once an old coffee farm and still retains the nostalgic atmosphere of a popular homestead. The grounds extend over ten acres of fertile greenery. Situated on an extension of the sloping foothills of Mt Meru (4,565m), Rivertrees provides a sanctuary for birds and wildlife native to the region. The guest rooms, in the form of elegant rustic cottages, are scattered along the river and or surrounded by tall trees. This area near Arusha National Park is very reminiscent of a deep rainforest with a flowing stream. The restaurant serves tasty dishes made from garden-fresh ingredients and old family recipes, as well as pizza from the oven and the best local coffees. Delicious candlelit dinners are served here. As Rivertrees has grown incrementally, each cottage has been designed and furnished with individual thought and care. The lodge's design makes the most of the river bends and forest glades to give each room its own sense of privacy and tranquillity. The restaurant provides a relaxing atmosphere for a book and a coffee or a garden-fresh meal in the sun. For the more active, Rivertrees also serves as the perfect base for countless adventures and explorations of its surroundings. Whether for one night or several days, there is plenty to do, or if you prefer - nothing at all.