Arusha National Park

Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge is one of our top picks because of its unique character and the range of facilities they offer. Situated on the grounds of a coffee plantation, we love how the wooden chalets seem to nuzzle into the lush gardens. We prefer the standard plantation rooms to the luxury suites, as we find them more tasteful, just as comfortable, and less pricey.

We particularly like to use Arusha Coffee Lodge when clients fly out of Arusha Airport the next day, as the morning transfer is only ten minutes. This is also an excellent spot for buying extra unique gifts for friends and family before you head off, with a collection of boutiques selling arts and crafts, jewellery, clothes, coffee, cakes and traditional Swahili food.

Nestled in the heart of Arusha, Planet Lodge will captivate you with the natural beauty of the Tanzanian landscape. Each chalet is tastefully decorated with African decor creating a peaceful immersion in the colors and culture of Africa. Distinctive guest rooms feature oversize panoramic windows, allowing the Tanzanian sunshine to greet you each morning.

Gust chalets are powered by solar and grid electricity, keyed entry, beautiful artisan bedding and spacious mosquito net. Room amenities include a laptop-size safe, a desk & chair, a telephone, a private bathroom with a solar-powered shower, and a balcony to unwind or wake up to singing birds. Our friendly housekeepers and room service staff keep your room tidy and stocked with fresh linens daily.

Set in flowering gardens and surrounded by coffee estates, Katambuga House is an island of serenity.

Katambuga House is an elegant and stylish eight-room lodge. The property is set on expansive grounds on the Endurance Estate near Arusha. With attention to detail, and caring staff offering excellent dining, Katambuga house is a destination in its own right.

The lodge sits in an area of expansive tropical gardens. The peaceful location and welcoming pool will restore your sense of inner calm. You can see countless indigenous birds when you stroll through the gardens and fields, with Mount Meru dominating the skyline to the north. At night wonder at the multitudes of stars above.

Katambuga House offers accommodation for both safari-goers and business travelers alike and is within a 10-minute drive of Arusha’s domestic airport. Arusha town is within easy reach of the lodge. The location serves as a perfect starting point for a safari to the famous national parks of Tanzania.

Casually elegant, the cozy main House features a selection of original photography and African art. The main House features four bedrooms, each with a private bathroom. The adjacent two-family cottages offer two additional interconnecting rooms each, all with private bathrooms. Large king-size beds or twin queen-size beds are available. Katambuga House welcomes up to twenty guests and can be reserved on an exclusive basis.

The stylishly decorated rooms offer a high standard of accommodation and service. All rooms open up to covered verandas, furnished with lounging chairs, overlooking the tropical gardens and the grand views further afield, making for a perfect place to relax before or after a safari. Airy and well-lit, the rooms offer all amenities to make your stay as comfortable and memorable as possible. You will find, in all rooms, an electric combination safe, hairdryers, ceiling fans, mosquito nets, a writing desk, and a comfortable sitting corner.

All rooms include a full breakfast served in the main room; toasted bread and homemade rolls, a selection of 3 different kinds of cereal, milk, yoghurt, a selection of seasonal fruits, raspberries, jams, bacon, sausages, and eggs made to taste are the very basics for starting your day in perfection. We provide our guests daily with unlimited fresh drinking water, fresh linens and room towels, pool towels, daily maid service, free wifi, and a laundry service on request.

With less than a 10-minute drive from Arusha airport, the lodge is conveniently situated as a starting point for a North Tanzanian safari.

Located in the heart of lush tropical gardens, the cottages of Legendary Lodge are fully equipped to a high standard, and all have private verandahs, offering great views of Mt. Meru. We recommend Legendary Lodge for guests who’d prefer to enjoy their own space, privacy and flexibility.

At Legendary, you can choose whether to take your meals in The Old Farmhouse, on the terrace, or in the comfort of your private cottage. There are two designated family cottages, which work great for families travelling with younger children. This is also a convenient location for our clients as the transfer to Arusha Airport is just a ten-minute drive, and Kilimanjaro International Airport is an hour away.

We love this luxury boutique hotel because it offers more privacy than a lodge, more comfort than a camp, and a level of personal service and attention that you wouldn’t get in a large hotel. Since the opening of Machweo Wellness Retreat & Fine Dining next door, you can enjoy an even greater level of luxury and gourmet indulgence. There are nine rooms, each with five-star amenities and a private balcony so you can take in the views without distraction. This would make a perfect base for your safari, Kilimanjaro trek or beach holiday in Zanzibar, where you can enjoy the extravagance of classic French cuisine and a refreshing refuge at the end of a long day.

Which is the best room at Onsea House & Machweo Retreat?

Machweo Cottage

We would recommend staying in one of these six luxurious cottages for even more of your home comforts. They share the same owners as Onsea House, but we prefer the layout and ambience. Each of the cottages is furnished to a high standard, with satellite TV, WiFi, and even a minibar decorated with stunning African art. Our favorite thing about Machweo is that you get your private terrace, looking out to Mt. Meru and the awe-inspiring African sunset.

This beautiful private house is managed exclusively by Lemala Camps and Lodges. This private 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 an exclusive use basis or shared and can be booked on a bed and breakfast, half-board, full-board or all-inclusive basis.

Arusha is the gateway to some of Tanzania’s best national parks, and Hamerkop House is 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 or beginning 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.

Details and Amenities

• The house enjoys three spacious ensuite rooms, complimentary Wi-Fi and private chefs to produce everything from delicious breakfasts to refreshing lunches, afternoon teas and dinners.
• Beautiful garden locations to enjoy sundowner cocktails around the swimming pool, or take a walk to No 16 and enjoy spectacular sundowners with Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro as your backdrop.
• Whether for short or extended stays, there is plenty to do, ranging from early morning horse rides to a round of golf on the 18-hole championship golf course, relax at the Polo Club, take a tour of a fragrant coffee plantation in Arusha or work up a sweat hiking and canoeing around Kilimanjaro and Lake Duluti.
• For those flying out to the bush, you will enjoy access to a private airstrip, Dolly, just 5 mins drive away, which is serviced with daily flight departure all over Tanzania by Auric Air, Coastal and Air Excel, including scheduled flights to the Northern Circuit. It is a great way to avoid the hustle and bustle of Arusha traffic. Simply stepping out of your house to board your flight is an epic memory.
• The staff at Hamerkop offer a very personal service to ensure you have a relaxed stay and cater to all dietary requirements – if notified in advance.

“Nothing but breathing the air of Africa, and walking through it, can communicate the indescribable sensations.”