Rivertrees Country Inn

Rivertrees sits in the pretty area of Usa River, just outside of Arusha. It has lush tropical gardens, and 13 cottages scattered amongst the grounds. There are 10 standard garden rooms, two river cottages, and the River House, which has two double bedrooms. The feel here is a cosy, farmhousey one. The cottages all have thatched roofs, traditional antique and African furniture, and ensuite bathrooms. When we visited, we thought the garden rooms were fine, but if it’s a special occasion, the river cottages are definitely worth the upgrade - they have a few extra special touches that make them feel especially pretty and homely. There’s a central restaurant and lounge, and also a pool, which gets good use as many people come here to relax either before or after a flight. However, if you do want to be active, there is a good amount to do. This is a very good place to get a feel for rural Tanzania, where the people actually live, rather than the remote beaches and game reserves. There are mountain bike rides, tours of the local villages and coffee plantations, even an afternoon of cooking with the chef. Some of these do need a little advance planning, so if you’d like to do any of these, please just let your specialist know, so that we can advise the lodge to be prepared.