Kaliwa Lodge

The road to the lodge leads through beautiful banana plantations, and the setting itself is stunning, with lush trees and plants and a breathtaking terrace overlooking Mount Kilimanjaro. The staff was very kind and helpful, and complimentary filtered water from the lodge’s own system was provided. Drink prices were reasonable, with local beer at USD 3 and a glass of wine at USD 7. The bungalow was very modern and well equipped, featuring a lovely bathroom and a huge window front with a terrace offering a partial, vegetation-framed view of Mount Kilimanjaro, although the price for the bungalow is relatively high. Dinner was excellent, including a very enjoyable New Year’s Eve BBQ for USD 30, and the lemongrass and ginger tea was particularly delicious. On the downside, most starters listed on the lunch menu were not available. In addition, we were charged for espresso, but what was served was regular coffee in an espresso cup. At breakfast, we missed a clear explanation from the staff about which items were included or available to order. On one morning, yogurt was only served after we noticed it at a neighboring table and asked for it, and on the next morning, no croissants were offered. A brief overview in advance of what could be ordered would have improved the experience.

One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever stayed. The nature is extraordinary, and the hotel is built to maximize access to this surrounding beauty. Everyone on the staff is genuinely friendly, accommodating, and kind. This is a wonderful place to access Mount Kilimanjaro, and the surrounding area in Moshi.

Our stay at Kaliwa Lodge was absolute magic. If you are looking for a place that captures the soul of Kilimanjaro, this is it, but there are a few things to keep in mind.||• The Views: Honestly, the photos don't do it justice. The scenery is unlike anything else I’ve ever seen—absolutely breathtaking and worth the trip alone.|• Dining Experience: Breakfast was a real treat. It was delicious and served on a deck overlooking the lush landscape. Starting the day with that view and a great meal was a highlight of our trip.|• Design & Comfort: The rooms are beautifully designed—very chic and modern but still fitting for the environment. Most importantly, the beds were incredibly comfortable, making it easy to fall asleep to the sounds of nature.|• The Vibe: For most of our stay, the property felt incredibly quiet and peaceful. The staff were also wonderful—friendly, attentive, and always willing to help with a smile.|Room for Improvement|• Early Morning Noise: The biggest downside was that construction started on a building right next to us (about 200 feet away) at 6:00 AM. It definitely disrupted the "peaceful" vibe we were looking for in the mornings.|• Climate Control: While the rooms are gorgeous, they did get a bit warm. I really wish there had been fans provided in the rooms to help circulate the air at night.

Our family of 4 chose Kaliwa Lodge as a place to stay before our 2-week safari trip starts. We booked ourselves by contacting the lodge directly. Don’t use the email inquiry page at the website, which didn’t always work. You can find them easy via WhatsApp. The staff was very responsive after we contacted them via WhatsApp. Booking activities and transportations in advance were also easy. The bungalows are spacious and clean with a great view over a rainforest valley. The common-area terrace provides a relaxing environment and offers a beautiful view of the Kilimanjaro peak when the clouds are cleared (often in the late afternoon). The food (breakfast, packed lunch box and dinner) was delicious. The restaurant manger Opendo was extremely accommodating and helpful. We had breakfast very early for our day activities on two of three mornings. We had to cancel our Machame day hike due to the rain today, but were rewarded with some rest & relaxation in the room with fire. In summary, we highly recommend the lodge as a great place to stay before or after your Kilimanjaro climb or your Tanzania safari. Especially, for those Safari travelers, the lodge is a good place to use as a base to explore the Kilimanjaro mountain a little bit, an excellent alternative to hotels in Moshi.

Beautiful lodges, stylishly and modernly furnished with a stunning view of Mount Kilimanjaro. The staff was exceptionally friendly and the food was absolutely excellent – a perfect place to relax and enjoy!

I had an amazing rest at Kaliwa Lodge after a 30-hour trip to Tanzania. I’m here to hike Kilimanjaro, and the peaceful, quiet atmosphere — together with the stunning mountain view from my room and terrace — helped me mentally prepare. The room was clean, very well equipped, and even included a beautiful book album about African culture, which was a great touch. The service was outstanding from start to finish. Huge thanks to all the staff for making my stay so comfortable — especially Mkami, who was always there when needed and incredibly helpful with everything. One small suggestion: a simple “Do Not Disturb” sign for the door would be really useful, as the staff checked in often to see if anything was needed, sometimes dropping by while I was meditating.

We stayed here our first night on our Safari trip. We wished we had at least one more night here. We loved our stay here. The staff was wonderful and very nice and helpful. The room was clean and beds comfortable. The food was delish and we still think about the passion fruit ice cream. Also the homemade chips while reading on the patio, my kids still talk about them. Breakfast on the patio watching the monkeys and the birds was a highlight of our trip. We would stay here again in a heartbeat!!!

Amazing views and friendly staff. The room had top amenities. Only giving 4 stars because the food has plenty of room to improve, price/quality ratio was a bit disappointing.