A sense of colonial history is tastefully exuded throughout the lodge as this was originally where the plantation’s administration took place during the early 1900’s. The resort wholeheartedly reflects this heritage and fuses with it authentic African décor, that does well to make guests feel sufficiently tranquil after a long days safari. There are also modern touches that will serve to remind you that you have not in fact time travelled, just travelled to one of the most beautiful properties of its type.

Arusha Coffee Lodge FAQ

Is there anywhere to swim at Arusha Coffee Lodge?

Yes, there is a vast open air swimming pool that you can use during your stay.

Will it be hot?

Depending on which time of year you travel, you’re looking at temperatures between 15 – 35 degrees Celsius.

Accommodation

You can expect to feel warm and comforted when entering one of the 30 exquisitely furnished plantation houses on offer. There are 12 suites built around the coffee plantation and 12 other equally elegant suites. Expect to find four poster beds in all the rooms, each laid with the finest Egyptian cotton linens for the comfiest of slumbers. From your private deck, you will able to enjoy panoramic views over the berry laden bushes and can soak it all up with a delicious cup of coffee.

Other Activities

Visit the Museum of natural history.

Visit the Maasai market of Faya Road.

Visit the one and only Tanzanite museum experience in the world to understand why Tanzanite is considered a thousand times more rare than diamonds.

Take a day game drive and have a picnic lunch in Arusha National Park, where you will be able to see Mt Meru in all its glory at 4 566 metres high.

Our Opinion on Arusha Coffee Lodge

Arusha Coffee Lodge never fails to impress both our clients and our team. As agents, we tend to see a lot of places; it’s easy to mistakenly think that this lodge is no more than just a stop over pre or post safari. In fact, this is probably the best lodge in Arusha and should be considered, even if not required, at either end of your northern Tanzania safari. The food, bar and of course the coffee is fantastic and you will be glad you made the stop.

Discover the untamed beauty of the southern Tarangire National Park from the luxurious Oliver's camp, nestled within the abundant Silale Swamps. Paying homage to the classic East African safari experience, Oliver's and Little Oliver's have recently merged into a single camp, joined by a raised walkway. Featuring two wings, each with its own lounge and dining area, the camp offers a total of 15 rooms and access to a shared pool and deck. Immerse yourself in exciting game drives, walking safaris, and night drives to discover the rugged wilderness of this remote region in 2021.

  Oliver's Camp Activities

Oliver's Game Drives: Exciting Safaris Through the Wild

Experience the thrill of the wild with Oliver's renowned game drives. With experienced guides at the helm, get up close and personal with Tanzania's vibrant wildlife. Our open-air game-viewing vehicles provide optimal viewing opportunities, with power points and refrigerators to keep you comfortable and refreshed. Private vehicles are available upon request for an additional cost, making your safari even more exclusive. Note that families with children under 12 must book a private vehicle.

Night Game Drives: Explore Tanzania's Nocturnal World

Don't miss the chance to witness Tanzania's captivating nightlife on our night drives in the Tarangire National Park. With special permission granted, these drives offer a unique and unforgettable experience.

Walking Safari: Get Up Close and Personal with Nature

Experience the thrill of adventure with a walking safari in the natural beauty of Oliver's Camp. Our experienced guides and armed national park ranger ensure a safe and exhilarating experience. Walk among the majestic elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and even lions on our hour-long or longer safaris.

Family Safari: An Adventure for the Whole Family

Located in the remote Tarangire National Park, Oliver's Camp is perfect for families looking for an unforgettable adventure. Accommodating up to four people with children over 5 years old, our comfortable tents with en suite facilities and outdoor bucket showers offer the ultimate safari experience. Explore the diverse wildlife through game drives and walking safaris guided by our expert team.

Hot Air Ballooning: A Bird's Eye View of the Wild

For an unparalleled game viewing experience, opt for a hot air balloon ride (additional cost). Soar over the savannah and witness the breathtaking beauty of Tanzania's wildlife from above. 

The Highlands redefines the Ngorongoro experience. Set high on the slopes of Olmoti volcano, with sweeping views all the way to the Serengeti, you can be at the famous Ngorongoro Crater floor at dawn but far from any other camp. Your base is a warm and stylish high altitude camp, inspired by traditional Maasai bomas which dot the surrounding landscape, deliberately positioned deep in this highland wilderness for maximum privacy, richness of adventure and range of activities not possible elsewhere in Ngorongoro.

The Highlands redefines the Ngorongoro experience. Set high on the slopes of Olmoti volcano, with sweeping views all the way to the Serengeti. Your base is a warm and stylish high altitude camp, inspired by traditional Maasai bomas which dot the surrounding landscape, deliberately positioned deep in this highland wilderness for maximum privacy, richness of adventure and range of activities not possible elsewhere in Ngorongoro. The Highlands strikes the perfect balance between a wilderness experience and a stylish tented retreat with all the desired creature comforts.

The seven luxurious tented suites offer king size beds with bay windows so you can enjoy the endless views from the comfort of your bed. Wood burning stoves will keep your domed suite warm throughout the night. The main area has been designed so you can enjoy the camp fire experience, even when it is too cold to go outside. Explore the wild highlands which surround the camp – home to leopard, buffalo and elephant and the Maasai people whose pastoral way of life has remained unchanged for centuries.

Accommodation

Double Tent

The Highlands has 6 large, luxury guest tents with fantastic view. The tents have the option of being twins and doubles. There is a triple room available on request. The tents all feature king-sized beds, en-suite bathrooms with flushable toilet and bucket shower. Hot water is always readily available for guest comfort. Each tent also has a wood burning fire place for warmth in the colder months.

Family Tent

The Highlands features 1 family tent specifically designed to accommodate 2 adults and 2 children. Larger than the usual tents, the emphasis here is on creating enough space to accommodate a family without it feeling cramped. These tents have king-sized, double or single beds available for individual guest needs. There are 2 separate bathrooms with flushable toilets and outdoor shower. Plus wood burning fire place for warmth in the colder months.

Honeymoon Tent

The Honeymoon tent at The Highlands emphasises privacy, rest and relaxation. The tent has a king-sized bed, en-suite bathroom. As well as a seating area, large elevated deck and an outdoor hot tub. The hot tub looks out into the beautiful landscape of Ngorongoro. Plus wood burning fire place for warmth in the colder months.

Activities

The Olmoti Climb

Starting directly from The Highlands Camp, the Olmoti crater climb follows an ancient Maasai cattle trail up a gentle ascent through mountain forest, grassland and rocky outcrops. The 2-3 hour walk (round trip) offers outstanding birding, a large array of butterflies and is a botanist’s dream, with varying vegetation and a variety of splendid fern species. At the summit, guests are treated to a stunning view of the Olmoti crater.

The Empakaai Descent

The stunning but relatively unknown Empakaai Crater lies some 40km north-east of it’s famous neighbour, the Ngorongoro Crater. From The Highlands camp, the drive to the crater takes roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes through the beautiful Bulbul Depression and offers the chance to see a variety of animals. On arrival at Empakaai, guests will be treated to splendid views of the Empakaai Crater as well as a glimpse of the Oldoinyo Lengai, Tanzania’s most active volcano. Here guests will join an NCA ranger and begin the 30-45 minute descent into the crater through thick, mountainous forest. Once on the crater floor, the lake offers superb birding and the chance to see the famous flamingos. The walk back to the vehicle on the crater rim will take around 1 hour and 30 minutes, with the chance to see big game (buffalo, hyena and elephant).

Cultural Activities

Guests will have the opportunity to join one of our Maasai staff members on a visit to a local community in a nearby village. Many of our staff members are drawn from the surrounding communities and are always eager to share their experiences, providing a richer understanding of the culture that defines this corner of East Africa. Guests will be invited to a Maasai boma to gain an insight into the traditional cattle-herding practices and school visits will also be available depending on the time of year.

The Crater Descent

Guests will begin the 40 minute journey from The Highlands to the Ngorongoro Crater in the early morning, following the rising sun to the crater gate. The drive offers the opportunity to spot zebra interspersed with the Maasai cattle herds and on a clear day, a magnificent view of the Ngorongoro Crater. The fertile grasslands soon turn to beautiful mountain forest as the descent from the rim begins, and guests will spend the morning exploring the vast 300km square crater floor with the opportunity to spot the Big 5 and the many roaming predators. Lunch will be served in Asilia’s private picnic spot and guests have the choice to continue their exploration of the crater in the afternoon or venture back to camp for a peaceful sundowner.

Imagine an area where the sun seldom dawns without cheetah gaining on prey, rarely a day passes without spotting a leopard draped over the branch of a tree, and most nights are filled with the roar of lions. This is where we have set up a new camp called Namiri Plains.

Closed to the world for over 20 years to create a safe haven for cheetah breeding and research, today the area has an exceptional population of big cats including the highest density of cheetah in East Africa.

Namiri Plains has been designed to combine the traditional bush style with a fresh modern feel focusing on attention to detail and high levels of personalised service. This six-tented camp is ideal for safari enthusiasts wanting bush luxury, advanced guiding and a deeper wildlife experience.

Namiri Plains is a small and exclusive camp set under fever trees with wonderful views of the sweeping plains that also host the Great Migration from November to June.

Activities include game drives led by expert guides, sunrise breakfast picnics on top of Soit Le Motonyi rock or sundowners atop a nearby kopje. The camp frequently hosts big cat researchers who join the dinner table to share their insight with guests.

Dunia camp offers a tranquil and very private base from which to visit two of the Serengeti’s prime game viewing areas; the Central Serengeti valley and the Southern Serengeti plains. From its location in an exclusive valley away from heavy traffic, excellent game viewing can be accessed throughout the year.

Dunia is an intimate camp with a simple yet graceful style that reflects the camp’s philosophy of leaving the lightest footprint while enhancing the Serengeti wilderness experience.

The eight spacious tents, slightly elevated on the slope of Nyareboro Hill, feature an en-suite bathroom and veranda from which magnificent views of the golden-grassed plains of the Serengeti unfold.

Canvas chairs and coir mats adorn the private verandas, while hurricane lamps provide a flicker of vintage charm as the sun dips behind the region’s iconic granite outcrops. Weathered wood, sturdy canvas and fine linen: Dunia is a place of comfortable simplicity and effortless charm, where unnecessary distractions are pared away.