Kaliwa Lodge: Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
From the deck of a bungalow nestled in the rainforest, there’s a spectacular view of Mount Kilimanjaro and its snow-capped summit peeking out from the clouds. The room is one of 10 at Kaliwa Lodge, which sits 1,300 meters high on the slopes of the mountain. Dense forests of the Weru Weru River Valley stretch out below.
For travelers who come to climb the highest mountain in Africa, Kaliwa Lodge is considered a gem. It’s just outside Kilimanjaro National Park’s Machame entrance gate and about a 20 km drive from Moshi, Tanzania.
Guests say the hotel makes a great home base for not just Mt. Kilimanjaro treks but also nearby safaris, hot springs, and villages. Visit a local coffee plantation or explore a waterfall.
After a strenuous adventure, come to rest in a Kaliwa Lodge double room bungalow with a hot shower, seating area, and terrace looking over the garden. There’s WiFi and coffee in the room. It’s surrounded by cascades of bougainvillea, strands of banana, and towering eucalyptus trees.
“One morning, I was even lucky to see the blue monkeys from the comfort of my own bed,” a satisfied TripAdviser reviewer wrote, adding that the lodge provides “everything you could ask for.”
Guests frequently mentioned the hotel’s observation deck as a highlight. If the clouds stay out of the way (and they don’t, always) the sight of the mountain is breathtaking. Another TripAdvisor review said that on her last day at the lodge the clouds finally parted to reveal a stunning view of the slopes all the way up to Uhuru Peak.
“Even apart from the view, the setting is idyllic and peaceful, like a Zen retreat,” she wrote. “Service was incredibly attentive, and food was delicious.”
Chef Lina and her team cook meals for the restaurant using fresh ingredients from its garden, fusing influences from Asia, Europe and Africa into the menu. Try the fish in banana leaf or green papaya salad. They also serve a lovely homemade passion fruit ice cream.
Head to Kilimanjaro Papa’s Whiskey Bar for another after-dinner treat. There Kaliwa Lodge offers an eclectic collection of drinks on its terrace and claims to have one of the finest collections of whiskeys south of the equator.
“Our hearty meal in the dining room surpassed expectations and was rounded off by sipping single malt whisky under night skies,” a reviewer wrote. “My advice: Stay at Kaliwa Lodge at least once in your life.”
