Arumeru River Lodge
Arumeru River Lodge was previously a 12-acre coffee plantation, and is a well-run
establishment with good service that is able to cater for large groups. The friendly
German couple who own the Lodge co-operate with the nearby fair-trade Duluti Coffee
Plantation, and also pay the salary of a ranger who monitors the protected rainforest.
The lodge is located approximately halfway between JRO airport for Kilimanjaro and
Arusha. Its relatively rural location means that it is quiet and safe, but a trip
into Arusha can take around 45mins.
Rooms at Arumeru
The rooms are clean, functional, comfortable and spacious, with sprung-mattress beds
shrouded by mosquito nets. Rooms at the far end of the property are less disturbed
by late arriving/early departing guests, and all of the rooms enjoy the sounds of
the nearby rainforest. There are plenty of power-points, with adaptors provided,
and telephones enable you to contact reception directly. The attic bedrooms of the
family suites are cooled by air-conditioning, and the living rooms have open fires
and a kitchenette.
Bathrooms at Arumeru River Lodge
The bathrooms are heated by solar panels topped up by electricity if the cloud cover
is high. There are showers throughout, and the family suites also have corner bathtubs
and overhead showers. Toiletries, towels and shaver points are provided.
Arumeru’s Restaurant
The silver service restaurant with open fire serves dinner until twelve, or later
by arrangement. Room service stops one hour after the last guest has retired, and
they offer a good buffet breakfast with omelettes. The restaurant is supplied by
Arumeru’s home-grown fruit and vegetables, and their well-stocked bar has views of
Kilimanjaro at sunrise and sunset.
Facilities at Arumeru River Lodge
The botanical gardens have numerous Box trees that are natural mosquito repellants,
the fish ponds attract a variety of birdlife, including cranes and kingfishers; a
birdwatchers paradise. The al fresco dining with Dik-diks and rare vulturine guinea-fowls
with a view of Kilimanjaro is a unique experience. The pool is filled with solar-heated
mountain spring water, and is cleaned without chemicals via ultra-filtration and
UV treatment, and the loungers come with towels prepared by the pool attendant. The
property is very wheelchair-friendly with well-lit stone paths. Wi-Fi and computer
access is charged at a flat rate of 5USD per stay. They have a small gift shop, and
high security fences give peace of mind. They organize walking tours of the rainforest,
Duluti Coffee Plantation and the nearby villages.
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