About Kia Lodge
Kia Lodge is a simple, country-club-style lodge situated close to the buildings and runway of Kilimanjaro ...
... International Airport (KIA). This is the only accommodation at the airport.
Many guests here will be using a day room before flying out, as we did, but it would be an adequate, if possibly rather inconsistent, place to spend the night if flights or circumstances dictate. During the day or in the evening, there are worse ways to spend a few hours than chilling by the pool or in the garden bar. Considering the lodge’s location close to the airport, it is a relatively peaceful and a nicely landscaped property to relax in, before or after a long flight.
Our view
Many guests here will be using a day room before flying out, as we did, but it would be an adequate, if possibly rather inconsistent, place to spend the night if flights or circumstances dictate. During the day or in the evening, there are worse ways to spend a few hours than chilling by the pool or in the garden bar. Considering the lodge’s location close to the airport, it is a relatively peaceful and a nicely landscaped property to relax in, before or after a long flight.
Accommodation
40 rooms
Children
Fine for all ages.
Open
All year
Traveller reviews of Kia Lodge
13 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
Arrived 15 Oct 2018, 1 nights
"Stop off between flights"
Overall rating: Poor
Arrived 12 Oct 2017, 1 nights
"Ideal pit stop pre flight"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 29 Sep 2017, 1 nights
"Convenient"
Overall rating: Average
Arrived 26 Sep 2017, 1 nights
"More than an airport hotel"
Overall rating: Good
Arrived 27 Jan 2017, 1 nights
"Kia Lodge review"
Overall rating: Average
Arrived 22 Dec 2016, 1 nights
"Convenient for airport"
Overall rating: Average
Arrived 21 Sep 2016, 1 nights
"Comfortable overnight stay"
Overall rating: Good
Arrived 18 Sep 2016, 1 nights
"Kia Lodge review"
Overall rating: Good
Arrived 27 Jul 2016, 1 nights
"Good Location and facilities"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 2 Jul 2016, 1 nights
"Just perfect!"
Overall rating: Excellent















Expert Africa's gallery
When we travel we take lots of photos ourselves to give you a real and un-edited view of the trips. See our 15 pictures of Kia Lodge to get the candid view.
View galleryKia Lodge: Our full report
Kia Lodge is a simple, country-club-style lodge situated close to the buildings and runway of Kilimanjaro ...
... International Airport (KIA). This is the only accommodation at the airport.
The lodge is set in surprisingly pretty gardens: this is certainly no airport hotel from the usual mould but much more like a local Tanzanian country club. The lobby – a somewhat rough-and-ready yellow atrium – isn't an encouraging introduction, but things improve once you've checked in and start walking through the grounds to your room.
The simply decorated, air-conditioned rooms, in terracotta-painted, thatched cottages (two in each cottage), have polished cement floors, small decorative floor mats, reasonably comfortable beds with mosquito nets, and tiled bathrooms with walk-in showers, flush loos and washbasin, and basic toiletries.
Kia Lodge's common areas include a sizable dining room, and a large, shady outdoor bar area, with music playing. The large, freeform swimming pool is a welcome feature, with its flagstoned pool area looking out towards Kilimanjaro. On a clear day you can have a good view of the mountain from here. Around the pool are a dozen or so recliners, enough sun shades and even working electric sockets to charge your phone or camera.
The hotel has a gift shop, open 07:00–09:00 and 12.30-19:00 and a small jewellery shop specialising in Tanzanite.
When Kia Lodge was taken over by a Dutch couple in 2015, the hotel had a way to go to reach acceptable international standards. Nevertheless, the food, staff and management ethos have been heading in the right direction since then. Although we weren't able to stay on our last visit in February 2018, we were impressed with the staff’s efficiency and the cleanliness and upkeep of the property. Located just a few minutes drive from Kilimanjaro international airport, with free 24 hour airport transfers, this hotel is a pleasantly simple option for an overnight stay before or after a long flight.
Geographics
- Location
- Arusha, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- Day room, or 1 night only.
- Directions
- Accessed down a 1km gravel road to the east of the main buildings at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA).
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Bed & Breakfast
- Food quality
- The salads, chips and cold beers we sampled were excellent. There's a decent bar menu.
- Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service can be provided at no extra cost.
- Drinks included
- Drinks are extra, but reasonably priced. Beer is around $3, house wine $4 a glass or $21 a bottle, cocktails around $10, sodas $2 and drinking water $2 a litre.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children are welcome.
There is one interconnected room which is a great option for families, and it is also possible to add a third bed in a double room. - Property’s age restrictions
- None.
- Special activities & services
- Babysitting can easily be arranged.
- Equipment
- They have baby cots but no high chairs.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There are two backup generators. The rooms have power sockets, and there are sockets at the pool area. Drinking water is supplied in plastic bottles (two per guest per day).
- Communications
- Mobile signal is patchy around the lodge, but usually good at the bar and pool. There are telephones in each room for internal calls. Wifi is available, free of charge.
- Water supply
- Mains
- Water supply notes
- Water is piped from the airport.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There are first aid kits on site and the nearest hospital is in Arusha, around an hour away.
- Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Security measures
- On site security.
- Fire safety
Activities
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry can be done for around $1–$2 per small load (negotiable). It is machine washed and tumble-dried.
- Money
- There are digital safes in the rooms.
- Accepted payment on location
- Major currencies are accepted, as are Visa and Mastercard with a 4% surcharge.
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Kia Lodge's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Kia Lodge.
Excursions from Kia Lodge
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Kia Lodge. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.

Day Hike on Mount Kilimanjaro
Full day
Experience Africa’s highest mountain – in just a day. In the company of a private guide, hike through the forests of Mount Kilimanjaro’s western side to an altitude of 3,400m. From here, explore the Shira Plateau and its surroundings, perhaps spotting wildlife along the way.
More about Kilimanjaro Day Hike
Safari in Arusha National Park
Half day or full day
Arusha National Park offers some lovely walking in the foothills of Mount Meru and canoeing on the Momela Lakes, plus gentle game drives.
More about Safari in Arusha NPOther lodges in Arusha
Alternative places to stay in this same area.

Rivertrees Country Inn
Set within lush grounds, the peaceful and relaxing Rivertrees lies between Arusha and Kilimanjaro Airport: ideal at the beginning or end of a safari.

Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge is a neat, comfortable lodge, right on the highway, close to Arusha Airport. It is a convenient stop for a night.

Onsea House
Onsea House is a small, family-run guesthouse on the outskirts of Arusha. The rooms are quite simple, but service and food here are good.

Katambuga House
Katambuga House is a smart hotel on the western side of Arusha, an hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro Airport and 10 minutes from Arusha Airport.

Airport Planet Lodge
Airport Planet Lodge is a new hotel located close to Kilimanjaro Airport, making it ideal for a short stay before or after your international flight.

Machweo
Machweo is a nine-room lodge on the outskirts of Arusha. The rooms are large and stylish, and the service and food here are very good.

Hatari Lodge
Hatari Lodge is designed around a bright, fun 1960s retro theme and is a relatively high-quality base to explore Arusha National Park.

Mount Meru Game Lodge
Mount Meru Game Lodge, near Arusha, is a good spot to stay en route to northern Tanzania's most famous safari areas.

Hamerkop House
Located halfway between Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha, Hamerkop House is a small, peaceful stop either at the beginning or end of a safari.

Legendary Lodge
Legendary Lodge is boutique luxury lodge, perfect for an indulgent overnight stay at the start or end of your safari.

Arusha Serena Hotel
The Serena Arusha Hotel is a comfortable hotel close to Lake Duluti. It makes a good stopover before or after a safari in northern Tanzania.

Twiga Lodge
Twiga is a Tudor-style lodge with welcoming owners, country-style gardens and a viewing platform looking onto Arusha National Park.

Siringit
Siringit Kilimanjaro Golf Safari Retreat is a six-bedroom villa offering a luxury stay in complete privacy on a championship golf course.
When to go to Arusha
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Kia 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 27Celsius, 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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