Lodge Overview

Welcome to Mountain Village Lodge! Whether you are just beginning your safari or bringing your adventure to a close, your travel efforts will be well-rewarded by this cozy retreat.

Mountain Village Lodge (a.k.a. Arusha Mountain Village) is situated on the shores of Lake Duluti and well outside the hustle and bustle of Arusha. Wonderfully secluded in the densely forested grounds that border the lake, this lodge offers an especially tranquil setting to rejuvenate and relax before or after your safari adventure. The Lodge is located halfway between Kilimanjaro (where you fly into) and the Arusha Airport (where you start your safari from the next morning). You'll definitely appreciate the easy drive in both cases.

Mountain Village Lodge consists of 42 spacious rooms, each of which are simple yet elegantly appointed with every thoughtful detail to ensure your stay here is a comfortable and enjoyable one. The charming stone-built rooms are housed in traditional ‘rondavel’ circular dwellings with views directed towards the lake. A main dining room, massive parlor and bar make up the common areas of the property, as well as a huge lawn and well manicured gardens that overlook lovely views of the exterior gardens and lake below.

Mountain Village is an excellent choice for the discerning traveler out there that wants a classy property at a good value. Excellent food, ample amenities, elegant yet comfortable furnishings and great service; one couldn’t ask for much more! We are certain you will enjoy your stay at Mountain Village Lodge!

Location

Mountain Village Lodge (altitude 4,498ft) is located on the shore of Lake Duluti near the South Eastern side of Arusha town, and is about 40 minutes by car from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lodge is conveniently located about 20 minutes away from the Arusha airstrip, which is the main hub for all the intra Tanzania flights to and from the famous game parks.

Accommodations

The lodge consists of 42 spacious “rondaval” shaped rooms, constructed of stone and wood with a thatch style roof. Each room is spaced throughout a network of flower gardens, alongside a stone pathway that links all the rooms to the main lodge facilities. Each room features a comfortable queen or twin beds draped in mozzie net, a television set with a limited selection of DSTV channels, a writer’s nook, closet, luggage rack, mini-bar, ample windows, and patio doors overlooking the gardens.

Furthermore each room features an en suite bathroom with shower, single vanity, flushing toilet, complimentary toiletries, and luxurious spa style robes. For guests that bring their own laptop, wireless internet is available inside the guest rooms for a nominal fee.

The guest rooms are connected to the main building by a network of rocky pathways that wind across neatly manicured flower gardens and under leafy shade trees. The main lodge is actually quite striking in appearance. The exterior walls are constructed of a blue-gray slate façade that is framed in contrasting wooden timbers. The lodge entry stairs and foyer are hemmed in from the lawn by a line of magnificent doum palm trees.

The interior space is dominated by a huge parlor and adjacent dining room. The space is beautifully elegant, accented by ample light from picture windows and well-appointed with sophisticated furniture and elegant old-world décor. A charming gift boutique offers local crafts and other quality souvenirs for sale. A sprawling green lawn rolls out from the main lodge towards the direction of the lake, and gorgeous views abound. Little pathways beckon to take you through the natural forested areas near the lake in search of wildflowers, butterflies and ample birdlife.

Other noteworthy details include a massage services, wireless internet service and a business center complete with phone, fax, computer and internet service.

Access

Your adventure begins at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), as you are welcomed to Tanzania. It is approximately a 30-40 minute drive from the JRO airport to the Lodge. After a good night’s sleep and an excellent breakfast, you will venture out to the great northern parks of Tanzania. On our signature fly in and drive back safaris, you will be transferred to the Arusha Air Strip (about 20 minutes away from the Lodge) for your early morning flight into the Serengeti on the morning following your arrival.

On the last day of your safari, a day room is typically reserved so you may relax and enjoy a nice dinner before your departure from Kilimanjaro International Airport. We encourage guests to consider spending an extra night at Mountain Village Lodge upon arrival to rest from the long international flight and acclimate to Tanzania before launching into an action packed safari adventure. Optional activities abound, whether strolling down the sunlit pathways near the lake looking for birdlife, canoeing on the lake itself, or possibly arranging for some light activities away from the lodge such as sightseeing, shopping or cultural interactions in the Arusha area.

Food and Drink

The food at Mountain Village Lodge consist of a delicious variety of fresh foods, all prepared by an excellent local chef.

Breakfast consists of eggs, sausage and/or bacon cooked to order. In addition guests can expect a hearty breakfast buffet of cereals, cold meats, fresh fruit, yogurt, toast or pastries and a hot active cooking corner is available from 6.30am to 9.30am.

Lunch is typically served a’la carte and may be complimented with a table d’hote. Fare may consist of soup de jour, salad and main course of chicken, beef or pork served alongside fresh vegetables and warm breads. On weekends the hotel generally offers a themed lunch buffet featuring Mongolian barbeque or Indian curry fare.

Dinner is served after 7pm and consists of various choices available off an al la carte menu, including an enticing appetizer, a main meal consisting of meat (beef, pork or chicken) paired with vegetables, and a dainty dessert to finish the meal. The al la carte menu is complimented by a selection of foods served table d’hote.

Wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks are all available here at an additional charge.

Special Features

• Sleeping accommodations consist of 42 guest rooms
• Each guest suite has a large queen-size bed (or two twin beds), separate sitting area and patio doors with views towards the lake
• Each room has a television with limited DSTV satellite channels
• Main
• building consists of restaurant dining room, bar, lounging parlor and hearth area with fireplace
• Wireless internet available (extra fee)
• Business center with phone, fax, computers, printer and internet (extra fee)
• In-room hairdryer
• In-room mini bar (extra fee)
• Room service available (extra fee)
• 24/7 electricity
• Laundry services available (extra fee)
• Baby-sitting
• services available (extra fee)
• Natural forested setting near lake with opportunities for guided nature walks and canoe rides (extra fee)
• Lodge is approx 40 minute drive from JRO and approx 20 minute drive from ARK