WHERE TO STAY AT THE USAMBARA MOUNTAINS?
The Usambara Mountains cover a large area, and where you stay depends on which part of the mountains you want to explore.
Lushoto is the most convenient base for exploring the West Usambara Mountains, while Mambo takes you further into the mountains for a quieter and more remote experience. In East Usambara, Amani Nature Forest Reserve and Magoroto offer a completely different setting surrounded by tropical forest.
We work with a small selection of accommodations in each area and choose the best fit according to your route, budget and preferred travel style.
LUSHOTO & WEST USAMBARA
THE LAWNS HOTEL
The Lawns is one of our regular accommodation options in Lushoto and makes a convenient base for exploring the West Usambara Mountains.
This family-run hotel has been welcoming travellers for many years and offers different room types in a large garden setting. There is plenty of space to relax at the pool or common areas between activities, and the hotel can also help organise walks and cultural experiences in the surrounding mountains.
Its location makes it particularly practical if you want to stay several nights in Lushoto and choose different activities from day to day.
DAVID CRATER HOMESTAY
David Crater Homestay is a smaller and more personal accommodation option in Lushoto.
The homestay offers a simpler alternative to the larger hotels and works well for travellers who prefer an informal atmosphere and more personal contact during their stay.
Its location in Lushoto makes it a practical base for exploring the surrounding mountains and choosing different day activities.
IRENTE FARM
Irente is more than simply a place to sleep. The property combines accommodation with an organic farm and nature reserve in the hills outside Lushoto.
The surrounding area includes forest, wetlands, birdlife and a waterfall, while the farm produces its own bread, cheese, butter, jam, juice, fruit and vegetables.
It is a particularly nice option for travellers who want their accommodation to form part of their Usambara experience rather than staying in a conventional hotel in town.
MAMBOVIEWPOINT ECO LODGE
MamboViewPoint is one of the accommodations we particularly like in the Usambara Mountains and is worth considering as a destination in its own right.
The eco lodge lies near Mambo, approximately two hours by road from Lushoto, much further into the West Usambara Mountains. Its cottages have private bathrooms and large windows overlooking the surrounding mountains and plains. On particularly clear days, even Kilimanjaro can be visible in the distance.
There are numerous activities available around Mambo, making it worthwhile to stay for more than one night rather than treating it simply as an overnight stop.
Mambo can be reached by road, so you do not need to complete our 4-day trek to stay here.
EAST USAMBARA
AMANI FOREST CAMP EMAU HILL
Amani Forest Camp Emau Hill is our preferred base for exploring Amani Nature Forest Reserve. The small-scale camp is surrounded by rainforest and offers cottages, safari tents and camping, making nature very much part of the stay.
Its location is ideal for exploring Amani on foot, with guided forest hikes, birdwatching and night walks in search of chameleons, frogs and other forest wildlife.
The camp has a simple, eco-focused character and works particularly well for travellers who come to East Usambara for its exceptional biodiversity.
MAGOROTO FOREST ESTATE
Magoroto Forest Estate is another destination where the accommodation and surroundings are very much part of the experience.
Set around a freshwater lake in the East Usambara Mountains, Magoroto combines forest, water and outdoor activities. Accommodation currently ranges from ensuite stone and wooden cabins to lakeside camping tents.
There is plenty to do without leaving the estate. Activities include hiking, nature and spice walks, waterfalls, swimming, and fishing.
Magoroto works particularly well if you want to slow down for a few days rather than using your accommodation simply as a base for excursions.
NOT SURE WHERE TO STAY?
The best accommodation depends on which part of the Usambara Mountains you want to explore and how the area fits into the rest of your Tanzania holiday.
We can combine different areas and accommodation styles and include the options that best match your route, budget and interests in your personalised proposal.