Hamerkop House by Lemala

Sundowners are more than just happy hour! The sundowner is a cherished African tradition and forms an integral part of your experience. It is a time to relax, reminisce about your day, and enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine and if you are lucky, Mt Kilimanjaro might show up in all her glory.

There is something special about enjoying a personalized walk around the estate with your very own Maasai Guide. Moi is a fountain of information and knowledge and will keep you entertained with stories of his culture, of himself and share with you his passion for life.

Enjoy a peaceful and scenic canoeing safari following the shorelines of small Momella Lake inside Arusha National Park. On this 2-3-hour canoe safari you can expect to see buffaloes, bushbuck, giraffes, hippos, water birds and beautiful views of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro. A well-trained guide will accompany the safari. He will tell you about the natural world in and around this lake.

You will enjoy a short game drive through the park en-route to the starting point of the Mbega cycling route. Other animals likely to be seen are Colobus Monkeys, giraffes and various birds species. The ride is partly on a gravel track and partly on a small animals track that can allow for some muddy riding. There are steep up and steep down parts during this ride.

Golf with a view. Just walking distance from the house this beautifully landscaped championship golf course with challenging water hazards, including the resident crocodile, offers an amazing golf experience.

Cultural Heritage is a unique cultural centre on the outskirts of Arusha. We have curio shops, a jewellery boutique, a tanzanite and precious stone counter, a restaurant, bargain centre and outstanding commercial art gallery. We have a vast array of ornaments, jewellery, antiques and local crafts to cater for any budget. High quality clothing, textiles, accessories, books and spices can also be found onsite at One-way and the Spice Centre. Our exquisite collection of precious and semi-precious stones – including rubies, emeralds, tsavorite, diamonds, sapphires and opals – is unrivalled across the continent. Of these our most highly treasured is tanzanite – a rare blue/violet stone found only in Tanzania, for which we have an international reputation.

Purchase loose stones, select from our ranges of handmade jewellery or work with our jewellers and designers to create your own unique piece. The only collection of its kind in the world, ranging from African antiques to contemporary painting and sculpture you will be dazzled by our assembly of art and artefacts. Find some of our collections in the central store or come and experience the Gallery; a breath-taking feat of engineering and artful display that will leave you awe-struck. Expert assistants are on hand to help you purchase art by emerging African artists or fascinating antiques form across the continent.

Tanzanite, Experience Tanzanite in Arusha; Its history, mystery, and rarity. Embark upon a journey that started over 585 million years ago, culminating in the discovery of one of the rarest gemstones on the planet. Only found in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, this vibrant gemstone is totally unique to Tanzania. Displaying incredible blue and violet hues, it was first discovered in 1967. The famous New York jewellers “Tiffany & Co” gave it its name, declaring it to be, “the most beautiful blue stone to be discovered in 2,000 years”. At the Tanzanite Experience, we strive to honour this exceptional stone as part of our African heritage. Through our museums, we are committed to education, and through both our physical and online stores, we guarantee to provide you with the highest-quality, fully-certified Tanzanite on earth.

Shanga is a successful social enterprise which employs people with disabilities to create unique, high-quality, handmade jewelry, glassware and homewares using recycled materials. These products are sold in Tanzania and all over the world, with profits being reinvested back into development of new products and further employment of disabled people. Combining an uplifting local community project with unique artistic activities and an opportunity to purchase handmade gifts, Shanga has been a favorite Arusha tourist destination since its inception in 2007.

Although Maasai Market in Arusha is just theoretically a market, it is fairly organized place with stands where souvenir shopping experience. From Maasai jewelry, leather handmade flip flops, key chains, fabrics, small figurines, coconut wood carvings…shop till you drop. Practice your bargaining skills at this market!

The ride takes place on Dolly Estate, and whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced rider, there is an opportunity and experience for everyone. Those with little riding experience can enjoy a gentle hack along dusty tracks where wildebeest and antelopes graze contentedly. Led by experienced guides, one can explore the meandering paths, spotting a rich array of wildlife along your way. Regularly seen on Dolly estate is one of the most elegant mammals found in Tanzania, the Gerenuk. We offer morning and afternoon rides, 2-hour ride (depending on pace). The morning rides departs at. 0800am and the afternoon rides departs at 1430pm. We are flexible with time however these are the best hours of the day to be out in the bush on horseback.

After breakfast, you depart for a short drive to Arusha National Park on the slopes of Mount Meru. Arusha National Park is a great experience for those that have additional time and want to experience this park before they proceed to Tarangire. This is a perfect opportunity to test your cameras and begin identifying birds. You can enjoy an option of a half-day tour, returning to your accommodation for lunch, or going for the day and carrying a picnic lunch with you. Although the park lacks predators, it is unquestionably beautiful. It is very quiet and has a wide variety of animals and superb birdlife. You can also spend an afternoon canoeing on the lake – a great thing to do if you have a late flight home! Your day trip to Arusha National Park will include a visit to the Ngurdoto Crater. Buffalo, waterbuck, giraffe, warthog, zebra and baboons can be seen all year round, as well as many different bird species.