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Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge

About Arusha Coffee Lodge

Set just outside of Arusha, close to the city's small domestic airport and just off the main road to Lake ...

... Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, Arusha Coffee Lodge, is a convenient overnight stop at the start or end of your safari. The lodge sits on part of a 40 hectare (100-acre) coffee plantation, in open manicured gardens.

Arusha Coffee Lodge is a popular hang-out with locals and expats and it has a welcoming and relaxed feel, even though it was quite crowded with lunch time groups when we last visited. The rooms are very comfortable, immaculately clean and finished to a high standard. The food is good and plentiful, and even if you're not staying the night, it's easy to while away a few hours here.

Our view

Arusha Coffee Lodge is a popular hang-out with locals and expats and it has a welcoming and relaxed feel, even though it was quite crowded with lunch time groups when we last visited. The rooms are very comfortable, immaculately clean and finished to a high standard. The food is good and plentiful, and even if you're not staying the night, it's easy to while away a few hours here.

Tamara Hoskyns-Abrahall

Tamara Hoskyns-Abrahall

Tanzania expert

Accommodation

30 rooms

Children

Fine for all ages.

Open

All year

Traveller reviews of Arusha Coffee Lodge

36 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


89%
36 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
19
Good
14
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
AlifromUnited Kingdom

Arrived 23 Aug 2024, 2 nights

"Arusha Coffee Lodge review"

"the plantation room was good and the restaurant food …" Read Ali’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Average

SarahfromLondon

Arrived 29 Jun 2024, 2 nights

"Arusha Coffee Lodge review"

"Staff went above and beyond...a truly memorable start to our safari adventure. …" Read Sarah’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

SarahfromLondon

Arrived 9 Jul 2024, 1 nights

"Arusha Coffee Lodge review"

"A warm and heartfelt welcome upon our return from the safari …" Read Sarah’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

BrydonfromUK

Arrived 17 Jan 2024, 1 nights

"Arusha Coffee Lodge review"

"Very nice indeed …" Read Brydon’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mrs CfromLeyburn

Arrived 2 Nov 2022, 1 nights

"Arusha Coffee Lodge review"

"we arrived late and left the next morning so difficult to make much comment …" Read Mrs C’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mr & Mrs A.fromOregon

Arrived 2 Oct 2021, 1 nights

"Arusha Coffee Lodge review"

"Very tastefully decorated room.... accommodated an early arrival... …" Read Mr & Mrs A.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Ms T.fromOC, CA

Arrived 11 Sep 2021, 3 nights

"Arusha Coffee Lodge review"

"Lovely rooms. Comfortable beds. Food was great. Service excellent. …" Read Ms T.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr AfromWashington DC

Arrived 31 Jul 2021, 2 nights

"Arusha Coffee Lodge review"

"A really luxurious stopover... very pleasant... we'd be happy to visit again... …" Read Mr A’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr StevefromHope Valley

Arrived 11 Sep 2019, 1 nights

"Arusha Coffee Lodge"

"We had an excellent time there. …" Read Mr Steve’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

R&KfromCastle Rock CO

Arrived 11 Jul 2019, 1 nights

"Excellent location next to Arusha Airport"

"Immediately adjacent to Arusha airport (not noisy) but incredibly convenient. …" Read R&K’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Arusha Coffee Lodge reviews

Arusha Coffee Lodge: Our full report

Set just outside of Arusha, close to the city's small domestic airport and just off the main road to Lake ...

... Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, Arusha Coffee Lodge, is a convenient overnight stop at the start or end of your safari. The lodge sits on part of a 40 hectare (100-acre) coffee plantation, in open manicured gardens.

Arusha Coffee Lodge (the urban sibling of Migration Camp and Tarangire Treetops). It's interesting to scrutinise the coffee plants themselves, shaded under Granville palm trees behind the main buildings. The thin flesh of the red coffee berry encases the pale coffee bean, which has to be fermented and roasted to make it palatable.

The central areas at Arusha Coffee Lodge are housed in a large red-brick building, where the bar, lounge and dining area feature terracotta tiles, bare brick and white-washed walls and raw wood. The result is stylish and reminiscent of a colonial plantation house.

Beyond the reception desk, where the concierge is on hand to help with enquiries, is Arusha Coffee Lodge's bar (the '3° South' Bar/Bistro, with its outside deck and indoor lounge), a bright but cosy room with rich amber-coloured wooden floors and one wall made up largely of french windows. Leather directors' chairs are set around dark wooden tables and a leather sofa sits by an open fire.

In the dining room at the Coffee Lodge, where there is also an open fire, tables and chairs are set out on the red-tiled floors, wrought-iron chandeliers hang from the ceiling and there is also an open fire. The adjacent lounge – the two rooms are partially divided by high open doorways – is quite a bit darker than the other rooms, but is comfortable and cool. Dark wooden furniture, large sumptuous sofas and leather armchairs make this an inviting place to relax. In the evenings when the fire is lit it is a cosy place to sit and enjoy an after dinner drink.

At the back of the Coffee Lodge on the left is a large open lawn and tranquil garden, dotted with wooden tables and chairs, and beautifully maintained. Each table has a broad sunshade, making this a great place to sit for lunch. No doubt it is this that helps to make Arusha Coffee Lodge a popular lunch time spot for both locals and expats.

Arusha Coffee Lodge's nice, 10-metre oval swimming pool (1.25m-1.4m deep, no lifeguard) is tucked among tropical bushes and so feels almost hidden away from the main garden. There are a number of sun loungers lined up on the patio and there is also some shade provided by umbrellas. The pool area doesn't have vast amount of space – but it is fine for a cooling dip and an afternoon of sunbathing.

The lodge has a small, but immaculate treatment area for massages, with Africology products for body treatments and Pevonia products for facial treatments. There's a spa at the back.

Walk across the manicured garden and into the coffee plantation, where paths lead through the coffee bushes to the 12 suites and the 18 standard rooms, which are lovely red-brick buildings with terracotta-coloured tin roofs. Dating from the 1980s, they are built after the style of old plantation houses and have lots of character.

Once inside, these split-level rooms are spacious and very comfortable. They are furnished with a sumptuous double bed, a small lounge area and an en-suite bathroom. There is even a fire place which can be lit on cool nights.

Arusha Coffee Lodge has the ever-popular garden for lunch time (very decent, healthy food), and indoor dining in the lounge and bar area. When we were last here we found the food to be diverse and appetizing, and the place was brimming with people, including several larger tour groups. The home-grown coffee is also worth stopping here for.

Most people stay at Arusha Coffee Lodge for just one night, using it is as a convenient stop at the start or end of their safari. It would be unusual for us to suggest a stop here of more than one night.

However, if you stay for longer then the Coffee Lodge can arrange activities for you, while you are here. There are options to take a taxi to some of the nearby curio emporiums, though more intrepid travellers might like to haggle for goods in the Maasai market in Arusha town. The Coffee Lodge can also arrange for you to visit a local village with a guide. Or you can simply lounge around the lovely swimming pool if you need some time for sheer relaxation.

Don’t miss the 'Soko Gift Shop' which sells including art works, fabric, shoes, bags and jewellery. The prices are reasonable and the selection is good. 'Kahawa Coffee Shop' does sit-down coffees, take-outs, and beans and ground coffee sales. Both shops are part of a little retail development called Trader's Walk which includes an outlet of the tanzanite specialist shop 'The Tanzanite Experience' and the major charity workshop operation 'Shanga' ('beads' in Swahili) which supports 47 disabled artisanal workers who fashion their products here and receive the benefits when they're sold in the neighbouring retail store and showroom.

Geographics

Location
Arusha, Tanzania
Ideal length of stay
The Arusha Coffee Lodge is a good base for one night at the start or end of your safari.
Directions
Arusha Coffee Lodge is on the western outskirts of Arusha, only about a 5-minute drive from Arusha Airport. It is around a 90-minute drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport depending on traffic
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Bed & Breakfast
Food quality
When we were last at the Arusha Coffee Lodge we stopped for lunch but didn't have a chance to sample the other meals they offer. Though we did have a really good chat with the manager who explained what guests can expect.

The breakfast is an à la carte buffet of fresh fruit, cereals, juices, fresh bread and pastries as well as juice tea and coffee. You can also order a full cooked breakfast which would usually include eggs of your choice, bacon, sausages, toast, tomatoes, mushrooms and maybe even hash browns.

Lunch is usually served in Arusha Coffee Lodge's lovely gardens. There is a large à la carte menu to choose from which includes a variety of international dishes such as lasagne, burgers and chips, sandwiches, grilled chicken and pizzas. We helped ourselves from a very tasty and wide-ranging buffet that included lots of vegetarian options and local dishes as well as familiar items.

Dinner is a more formal 3-course set menu served in doors in the dining room.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Yes
Drinks included
Drinks are not included, you can expect to pay around $2 for a soft drinks and $3 for a beer.

Special interests

Luxury
Arusha Coffee Lodge is the place for a luxurious stay in Arusha, perfect for an overnight stop at the beginning or end of your safari. With sumptuous four-poster beds draped in Egyptian cotton, open fireplaces and private verandas, it provides an exceptional level of comfort.
See ideas for Luxury in Tanzania

Children

Attitude towards children
Children are welcome at Arusha Coffee Lodge.
Property’s age restrictions
There are no age restrictions at Arusha Coffee Lodge.
Special activities & services
Arusha Coffee Lodge has an outdoor play area with swings and a wooden climbing frame. They can also offer babysitting services, though guests should be aware that this will be from their house keeping team and not necessarily someone with a professional qualification.
Equipment
High chairs, baby cots.
Generally recommended for children
Yes
Notes
Arusha Coffee Lodge has a special play area for children, a swimming pool and wide open lawns. It is a great spot for kids.

Communications

Power supply notes
There is automatic generator standby and backup.
Communications
There is mobile phone reception around the lodge and Wi-Fi is available throughout, including in all the guest rooms and suites.
TV & radio
There is no TV in the standard rooms, only in the suites, but TV is always available somewhere in the public areas for major sporting events.
Water supply
Other
Water supply notes
Purified well water is used. Guests drink bottled mineral water, of which unlimited supplies are provided.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
It is only a short drive from Arusha Coffee Lodge to Arusha's clinics and hospitals.
Dangerous animals
Low Risk
Security measures
Arusha Coffee Lodge has a secure gate at the front of the lodge, and security on site throughout the day and night.
Fire safety
There are fire extinguishers in every room and throughout the public areas. Fire-training and first-aid training are done twice a year by the same compliance company that checks eco-compliance.

Activities

    Extras

    Disabled access
    On Request
    Laundry facilities
    The laundry is an extra charge and will usually be returned the same day. Guests decide on whether it should be hand or machine washed and dried in a tumble drier or out in the sun.
    Money
    Arusha Coffee Lodge offers a foreign exchange service.
    Accepted payment on location
    You can settle your bill using Tanzanian shillings or major currencies in cash.

    Visa, Mastercard and Amex are also accepted.

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    Arusha Coffee Lodge's location

    Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Arusha Coffee Lodge.


    Excursions from Arusha Coffee Lodge

    Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Arusha Coffee Lodge. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.


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    More about Safari in Arusha NP
    77% (7 reviews)

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    When to go to Arusha

    Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Arusha Coffee Lodge in Arusha


    Jan

    Feb

    Mar

    Apr

    May

    Jun

    Jul

    Aug

    Sep

    Oct

    Nov

    Dec

    Tanzania in January

    January usually marks the start of the short dry season, although the exact timings of this are a little unpredictable. You can expect clear blue skies and sunshine, if the short rains have stopped, and the temperatures will be building. The short dry season is a little less pronounced in Southern Tanzania, and so it can still be wet in these areas. It is an interesting time for avians as resident birds go into breeding plumage and migrant species can be present.

    Once the New Year busy period has quietened down, January can offer great value and quieter parks, although the weather can be variable, and in the Selous and Ruaha the wildlife is more dispersed.

    • Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
    • Occasional thunderstorms may occur.
    • A good time of year for birding as and many migrant species are around
    • The wildebeest migration is gathering in the southern Serengeti.
    • Busy in early January, quietening down through the month.

    Our view

    A good time to visit, with pros & cons

    Weather in January

    Tanzania in February

    February is during the short dry season and is one of the hottest months in Tanzania, with temperatures reaching around 33°Celsius. This can be a good time to visit, as some areas of the Northern Circuit are comparatively quieter than during the European summer months, and lodge rates are also a little lower.

    The wildebeest will typically be on the southern plains of the Serengeti for their calving season, which tends to occur in a 2-3 week window in early-mid February – although this does vary year on year. This is also a particularly rewarding time for birdlife, as northern hemisphere migrants join the resident species.

    • Hot and dry weather.
    • Wildebeest migration calving on Serengeti’s southern plains.
    • Ngorongoro Crater and southern Serengeti busy for the migration.
    • Selous and Ruaha are typically quiet at this time.
    • The parks are likely to be lush and green, leading to pretty landscape

    Our view

    A very good time to visit

    Weather in February

    Tanzania in March

    The heavier ‘long rains’ start in earnest in March although exactly when varies year on year. With no need to stay close to permanent water sources, migratory wildlife disperses, and so game viewing starts to become more challenging. This is most prominently seen in Tarangire National Park. The wildebeest migration may still be calving, or have moved on into the central regions of the Serengeti.

    Many of the camps in the southern parks close mid March and mobile tented camps in the Serengeti will wind down towards the end of the month in order to move location or carry out refurbishments, ready for the new tourist season.

    • Hot with building humidity, before the rains begin at some point.
    • Wildlife viewing is variable depending on the start of the rains.
    • Parks are quiet and rates are low.
    • Not great for southern or western Tanzania.
    • March can be a good time for birding, with many migrant species.

    Our view

    A good time to visit, with pros & cons

    Weather in March

    Tanzania in April

    April is in the middle of the long rainy season and is the wettest month, with on average 250mm of rain. Temperatures are fairly high and humid in comparison to the rest of the year. Expect the bush to be lush and flowering, and alive with insects, birds and smaller animals. It is however also dense, allowing wildlife to hide, which in turn makes game viewing harder. This is a very quiet time in terms of visitor numbers.

    Many of the tented camps are closed in April, however the larger lodges remain open. The rates are significantly cheaper, and so if you are willing to work harder to spot the bigger game, some accommodation bargains can be had.

    • Heavy rain expected, with impressive thunderstorms and lightning.
    • Many camps closed and roads impassable due to ground conditions.
    • Rates are at their lowest all year round, with very few other tourists
    • Places that are open are green and vibrant, wildlife more dispersed.

    Our view

    This is not a great time to visit

    Weather in April

    Tanzania in May

    As Tanzania is close to the equator there is no dramatic difference in climate throughout the year, but temperatures do start to drop a little in May. The rains are likely to still be present, although potentially clearing towards the end of the month. Visitor numbers and lodge rates are still low. The wildebeest migration is making its way through the western regions of the Serengeti, crossing the Grumeti River.

    Virtually all camps in southern Tanzania remain closed, and many of the roads and tracks in the Selous become impassable.

    • Heavy rains and storms are likely, this can create some dramatic skies
    • Blissfully quiet in northern Tanzania, and a good time to avoid crowds
    • The parks are likely to look lush and green, with long grass.
    • Wildlife is likely to be more dispersed, with fewer sightings.
    • The low prices make safaris much more affordable at this time.

    Our view

    This is not a great time to visit

    Weather in May

    Tanzania in June

    The rains come to an end at some point during the month and migratory wildlife begins to be drawn back to perennial water sources as the land starts to dry up. It’s likely that the parks will still be quite green and the grass high though, so walking and fly-camping may be unlikely. This marks the start of the season with camps reopening, but prices are still more affordable than the subsequent months.

    The migration may still be in the Western Corridor, or on the move northwards towards the Mara River. Western Tanzania presents more challenging conditions for chimpanzee trekking in Mahale National Park, as the chimps are higher in the mountains.

    • Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
    • A transitory time for the migration – moving from west to north.
    • The parks may still be quite green, and grasses high.
    • Wildlife may be dispersed still.
    • Relatively low visitor numbers and good value, shoulder season prices.

    Our view

    A good time to visit, with pros & cons

    Weather in June

    Tanzania in July

    July is considered to be the start of the peak season, with no rainfall expected and pleasant daytime temperatures. As the parks dry, the wildlife congregates in fewer areas, grass is eaten and trampled by the migration, and game viewing gets better and better. The wildebeest are typically arriving in the northern Serengeti, ready to begin their period of crossings of the Mara River.

    In the Selous and Ruaha wildlife sightings can be fantastic, with animals gathering around the lakes and rivers. Great conditions and school holidays mean the parks are at their busiest, with Ngorongoro and the Serengeti particularly crowded.

    • Dry and warm daytimes, chilly and windy in the mornings and evenings.
    • Great wildlife viewing, as water sources diminish.
    • The most popular time of year with very high visitor numbers.
    • Prices are at their highest due to the great conditions on the ground.
    • To avoid the crowds consider Tanzania’s southern parks.

    Our view

    Fantastic: the very best time to visit

    Weather in July

    Tanzania in August

    August is the middle of the long dry season, with clear skies and sunny weather. You can expect some cooler weather at night and first thing in the morning. Remember to pack layered clothing, so you can wrap up warm on your early morning game drives, but remain comfortable as it heats up throughout the day.

    August is a very popular time to visit, so accommodation prices are at their highest and advanced booking is necessary. It can get noticeably busier in some of the northern parks – in particular the Ngorongoro Crater and northern Serengeti, as visitors flock to the area in hope of witnessing an exciting migration river crossing.

    • Dry and warm daytimes, chilly in the early mornings and evenings.
    • General wildlife viewing should be excellent.
    • An exciting time of year for the wildebeest migration.
    • Certain areas will be very busy and camps fill up fast.
    • Great wildlife sightings in the Selous and Ruaha, and fewer people.

    Our view

    Fantastic: the very best time to visit

    Weather in August

    Tanzania in September

    September can be an excellent time of year to visit Tanzania. As the parks continue to dry up the wildlife becomes increasingly reliant on the remaining water sources, leading to high densities of animals. Whilst early September can be busy, with fewer families traveling at this time the parks typically become quieter as the month goes on.

    You are still likely to see the wildebeest migration in the northern Serengeti, with river crossings occurring on a regular basis. Tanzania’s southern parks are also fantastic at this time of year, generally receiving far fewer visitors than the north, and wildlife sightings can be great. Prices remain high and the weather generally remains good.

    • Wildlife viewing in September can be fantastic.
    • Whilst still fairly busy, often the parks are typically a little quiet
    • The parks will start to become very dry, with little new vegetation
    • Cooler mornings and evenings, warming up during the day.
    • Prices remain high.

    Our view

    Fantastic: the very best time to visit

    Weather in September

    Tanzania in October

    At the tail end of the dry season, the wildlife should be the easiest to spot, although photographers should be aware that it can be a bit dusty at this time of year, as there has been no rain for several months. Great general wildlife viewing throughout as animals are attracted to remaining sources of water. Elephant numbers are particularly high at this time in Tarangire, and Mahale and Katavi are especially rewarding with frequent wildlife sightings close to camp.

    There is a chance of rainfall towards the end of the month, if the short rains commence. While prices remain high, visitors numbers are significantly lower than in July-August.

    • Mostly dry and temperatures comfortably warm, with the chance of storm
    • Great game viewing although the landscape can be a bit barren.
    • Much lower visitor numbers than the earlier months.

    Our view

    A very good time to visit

    Weather in October

    Tanzania in November

    In November you can expect the start of the short rains, although the start date varies every year. The rains are highly localised, and are much lighter and more unpredictable than the long rains that occur earlier in the year. These should not really interfere with your safari – as the game viewing at this time is still good - but you should pack a waterproof jacket and be prepared for some short rain showers!

    The majority of tented camps remain open, but some of the mobile camps in Northern Tanzania will close for the latter half on the month. Given the seasonality, camps are charging shoulder season rates so there are often some bargains to be had. Early November can offer great value for money and the weather conditions are likely to be comparable to late October.

    • Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
    • Parks are comparatively quiet and prices at the lower end.
    • Some camps will close towards the end of the month for maintenance.
    • Good wildlife sightings, but animals will disperse when rain starts
    • The wildebeest migration is on the move and the location unpredictable

    Our view

    A good time to visit, with pros & cons

    Weather in November

    Tanzania in December

    December is also during the short rainy period, but this does not stop Tanzania being a popular destination to spend the festive period. Be aware that many of the lodges book up early, and charge peak rates over this time. Advanced booking is essential over this period, especially if travelling in larger family groups.

    Travelling in December outside of the festive period allows travellers to make use of excellent shoulder season rates. Temperatures are pleasant with the averages of 27Celsius, although there is the chance of intermittent thunderstorms.

    • Variable weather:clear & dry or cloudy with some rain and thunderstorm
    • Good general game viewing in parks with low seasonality - Serengeti.
    • Very quiet early in the month, becoming exceptionally busy.
    • Prices reflect this – great value rising to the highest they are.
    • The wildlife in southern Tanzania is more dispersed.

    Our view

    A good time to visit, with pros & cons

    Weather in December

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