ELEWANA ARUSHA COFFEE LODGE

Lying on the gently rolling foothills that cascade down from Mount Meru is the bustling and vibrant town of Arusha.  On the outskirts of this town, hidden amongst one of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantations, you will find Arusha Coffee Lodge, a perfect haven for relaxation either before or after any East African safari.   30 Plantation Houses radiate out into the evergreen coffee fields – Arusha Coffee Lodge has been designed around the original landowner’s home that dates back to the early 1900’s.

The lodge is located just outside Arusha in northern Tanzania.

THE LODGE

The theme of coffee permeates throughout Arusha Coffee Lodge reflecting in the colours and textures of the delightfully comfortable rooms with beautifully appointed en suite bathrooms. The lodge is located in a verdant coffee plantation and is a sanctuary of tranquility and a welcome retreat after a long international flight or on the way home after your safari.  There are 30 wooden traditional plantation chalets with spacious, airy and modern interiors nestled amongst the surrounding gardens and coffee trees. A tree-lined driveway guides you to the main area and the lodge is set in gardens and has a spa, a collection of boutiques, a swimming pool and a restaurant called Bacchus and a café bistro called 3° South which both boast menus to satisfy the most discerning of palates.

The 12 Plantation Suites are spacious, modern and homely retreats among the coffee trees. With a rainfall showers and generous bathtubs, a private outside terrace with log fire, a 32” TV with satellite service and attractive décor reflecting the omnipresent theme of coffee, a Plantation Suite invites you to relax and unwind after your journey.  The 18 Plantation Rooms are cosy and comfortably furnished rooms nestled among the aromatic coffee trees. A welcoming atmosphere includes in-room log fire, en suite bathroom with shower and bath, and a verandah overlooking the surrounding green coffee garden.

ACTIVITIES

The ‘Bean-to-Cup’ Coffee Estate Tour – take a guided walk around the workings of the coffee plantation to see how the coffee is grown, harvested, dried, and produced into the aromatic coffee that we drink every day, culminating in that all-important coffee tasting!

Trader’s Walk – a collection of 5 boutique shops and gourmet food places within the ground of Arusha Coffee Lodge showcasing some of the best creativity and ingenuity of Tanzania:

Shanga – a workshop creating gift arts and crafts.  Watch beautiful jewellery, arts and crafts being created out of recycled materials.

Soko – The gift shop sells souveneirs from safari clothing to wonderful keepsakes and gifts.

Jikoni – The authentic African kitchen – an open-to-air restaurant with traditional Swahili food on offer.

The Tanzanite Experience – specialises in authentic, ethically-mined Tanzanite gemstones and jewellery. Tanzanite, a beautiful blue stone, is said to be a 1000 times rarer than diamonds.

Kahawa – a delightful gourmet cafe selling freshly ground coffee and fresh-baked cakes either ‘to go’ or served on Kahawa’s shaded terrace.

Day trips to Arusha National Park – take a picnic lunch and enjoy an excursion to the slopes of Mt Meru where Arusha National Park is located. The park enjoys an abundance of birdlife, and quite a variety of wildlife.

Tour of Arusha Town – Arusha is a bustling town with one of the fastest growing populations in Africa. Shopping and cultural experiences are on offer, including Masai Markets, the Tanzanite Museum, Museum of Natural History and Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre, plus a variety of boutique gift shops, cafes and restaurants.

We recommend a visit to Shanga – a successful social enterprise which employs people with disabilities to create unique, high-quality, handmade jewelry, glassware and home wares from recycled materials. These products are sold in Tanzania and all over the world with profits being reinvested back into developing opportunities to employ more people with disabilities.  Shanga became part of Elewana in 2017 as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge is the home of Shanga and there is an open workshop for glass-blowing, weaving, sewing, Tinga Tinga painting, bead-making and metal work, with a shop showcasing all Shanga’s handmade products.  Follow the link to read more about Shanga: https://www.shanga.org