Olerai
Near Arusha,, Tanzania
- 20 guests
- 10 bedrooms
- 10 beds
- 10 bathrooms
Olerai An Urban Oasis is an intimate, home-from-home style lodge, on the west side of Arusha, the main northern tourism capital of Tanzania. Formerly a private residence, it has been sensitively developed to accommodate guests on an exclusive basis, ensuring our full attention when looking after you.
Nestled in a Yellow Barked Acacia forest, Olerai spreads over eight acres of indigenous woodland, lawns and herbaceous beds. We grow our own organic vegetables and source other ingredients from local producers, ensuring a delicious, healthy, farm-to-table experience throughout your stay.
Amenities
Living Spaces
Generous communal areas open onto the gardens and acacia forest beyond, with comfortable lounges for quiet afternoons and elegant dining spaces for shared meals. The lodge balances the warmth of a private home with the polish of considered hospitality, designed to feel lived-in rather than staged.
Bedrooms & Laundry
Ten ensuite guest rooms spread thoughtfully across the eight-acre grounds, each with a private veranda overlooking the gardens or forest. Quality linens, soft lighting and curated detailing throughout. Laundry service is included as part of the lodge's full hospitality offering.
Kitchen & Dining
A genuine farm-to-table experience built around the lodge's own organic kitchen garden, with seasonal produce supplemented by trusted local growers and suppliers. Meals are served in the elegant dining room, on the verandas, or outdoors around the fire, depending on the rhythm of the day. The lodge can accommodate dietary requirements and special occasion menus on request.
Bathrooms
Ten ensuite bathrooms, finished with quality fixtures, plush towelling and the calm, considered detailing of a private home.
Entertainment
The gardens, forest and birdlife are the lodge's quiet entertainment, with evenings centred on the fire pit and aperitifs before dinner. A small library, board games and curated music are available in the main lounge. Therapeutic treatments, facials and massage, designed to ease the strain of long-haul travel or refresh you before a return flight. Treatments can be booked through your host on arrival. Everything is a conversation, if anything can be added in to elevate the experience, they will try there best to accomodate.
Heating & Cooling
Rooms are designed for the temperate highland climate around Arusha, with ceiling fans, natural ventilation and warm blankets for cooler evenings.
Internet & Office
Wifi available throughout the property.
Location Features
Set within a Yellow Barked Acacia forest on the outskirts of Arusha, Acacia House offers a peaceful, private contrast to the bustle of the town. The lodge is the ideal stepping-off point for a big-game safari to Tanzania's most game-rich locations, from the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater to Tarangire and the Manyara region. A natural place to acclimatise on arrival, and to decompress before flying home.
Outdoor Spaces
Eight acres of indigenous forest, lawns and herbaceous beds wrap around the lodge, with private verandas, garden seating and shaded reading spots throughout the grounds. The fire pit becomes the social heart of the lodge in the evenings, surrounded by soft lamplight and the sounds of the forest at night.
Parking
Guests are met on arrival by the safari team and seamlessly transferred to camp, ensuring the experience begins from the moment you land.
Gallery
Location
Essential Information
Home Policies
Bookings are taken on an exclusive-use basis, ensuring the lodge's full attention is devoted to your party. Minimum stay applies. Children are welcome.
Location & Getting Around
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is approximately an hour and a half drive from the lodge, with Arusha Airport (ARK) just 5 minutes away for onward light aircraft transfers to Tanzania's safari circuits. Transfers can be arranged through your host. The lodge is exceptionally well placed as a first or last night of a wider Tanzanian itinerary.
House Rules
Guests are asked to respect the lodge's quiet, residential character and the natural environment of the grounds. The forest setting means small wildlife is regularly present; staff will brief you on any practicalities on arrival.
Experiences Nearby
Birding & Nature: Guided walks through the surrounding acacia forest reveal an abundance of birdlife, with prolific resident species found throughout the grounds. Vervet monkeys are frequent visitors, while the distinctive calls of the Tree Hyrax echo through the canopy after dark.
Coffee Experiences: Explore the renowned coffee estates of the Arusha and Kilimanjaro foothills, discovering the journey from bean to cup with private tours and tastings among some of Tanzania's finest plantations.
Cultural Experiences: Visits to local communities and artisan cooperatives offer an authentic insight into Tanzanian life, traditions and craftsmanship.
Shopping: Curated excursions to Arusha's finest workshops, galleries and markets provide the opportunity to discover locally produced textiles, jewellery and East African craftsmanship.
Wellness: Treatments at the Olerai Spa, including massage therapies, facials and holistic treatments, can be arranged for those seeking relaxation between adventures.
Safari Gateway: The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara are all easily accessed via Arusha, with seamless light aircraft connections available from Arusha Airport.
Beading Workshops: Traditional beading experiences provide an opportunity to learn local techniques and create your own handcrafted keepsake.
Golf: A round of golf can be arranged nearby, offering a relaxed way to spend an afternoon against the backdrop of Mount Meru.
Helicopter Experiences: One of the region's most memorable experiences is a private helicopter flight around Mount Meru at sunset, soaring above Arusha National Park while taking in views of the forests, volcanic landscapes and the resident Colobus monkeys below.
Concierge Experiences: Private guides, bespoke itineraries across Tanzania, photographic safaris, special occasion dining, transfers and tailored experiences can all be arranged on request.
Bespoke Holiday Planning
Let us create your perfect stay.
We can also create bespoke holiday stays designed entirely around you. Whether you dream of a secluded coastal retreat, a chic city hideaway, or an enchanting countryside escape, every detail is tailored to your tastes and desires. Our dedicated team ensures your getaway is seamless, memorable, and uniquely yours.