Arumeru River Lodge

Built on the site of a former coffee farm just 35 minutes from Kilimanjaro Airport, Arumeru River Lodge is an ideal spot to spend a night before your Northern Tanzania safari holiday to Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire and Manyara. With charming rustic wooden interiors, fresh local cuisine and even a view of Kilimanjaro itself from the restaurant terrace on a clear day, it’s a great place to get into the holiday spirit. Adventurers seeking to climb the mountain itself can leave their luggage here at Arumeru, and return triumphant to a cold beer, massage and a much-needed shower. Not necessarily in that order.

This iconic lodge design was inspired by true African architecture rather than the colonial style that you’ll find around much of Tanzania. Keep an eye out for the wooden ‘Safari Bar’, the cosy lounge with its open fireplace and dhow wood furniture, and be mesmerised by the golden light that spills from the main building at night, creating an intimate and welcoming vibe. The shimmering blue pool is a refreshing place to while away a hot afternoon, or relax after an epic adventure.

The 21 stylishly decorated garden rooms are secreted away in 12 acres of lush tropical gardens, where you’ll often see tiny Dik Dik antelopes wandering around between the chalets. The melodic birdsong and exotic scents of the gardens remind visitors that they’ve finally arrived in Africa. Indeed, bird watchers might be tempted to stay longer and enjoy the superb range of species that live in this paradise, including hornbills, ibis and sunbirds. There are also 6 junior suites with 2 private verandahs and Zanzibar-themed interiors. Meru Cottage is another option, ideal for families or couples who travel together. It’s a very private space spread out across 2 floors and has 2 en-suite bedrooms.

The restaurant philosophy at Arumeru is all about fresh local produce combined with international recipes, including flavoursome spiced curries from Zanzibar (home of the head chef), seafood from the nearby Indian Ocean, and lots of homegrown organic salad and veggies. Once a week Arumeru holds a BBQ night with all the usual favourites, many with a Tanzanian twist, which go down exceedingly well with a chilled local beer or South African wine.

As for activities, Arumeru offers several half-day guided excursions in the local area, from rainforest walks and visits to Arusha, to nature hikes and even a bit of golf. The perfect start or finish to your Tanzania safari holiday.