Weru Weru River Lodge

Weru Weru River Lodge sits beside the Weru Weru river on the edge of Moshi, away from the busiest streets and closer to the farmland that stretches toward Kilimanjaro. The riverside setting gives it a different feel from a town-centre hotel, with more green space, birdsong and a calmer atmosphere in the evening. It is the kind of place climbers choose for the night before a trek and the night after, when quiet and a garden setting matter more than being beside the shops. Moshi is the practical base for the southern side of Kilimanjaro. It is a compact, friendly town with a clock tower roundabout, a central market, a railway station and a scattering of restaurants and cafes, and it is where most Machame, Lemosho, Umbwe and Rongai climbs begin and end with a transfer. Kilimanjaro International Airport is roughly 45 to 60 minutes away by road, and the park gates are a drive of an hour or so, depending on which route you climb. Many operators have offices in town, so it is easy to meet your guide, check kit and hire gear the day before you start.

Staying in Moshi suits both climbers and non-climbers. Before a trek, a comfortable bed, a hot shower and a hearty dinner help you start rested. After a trek, a laundry service, a cold drink and a quiet garden or terrace feel like luxuries. Between the two, Moshi is a good place to browse the market, taste Tanzanian coffee and arrange village walks, bike rides and waterfall days.

For the coffee, waterfall and hot spring days that start from Moshi, see our Arusha pages, and note that Moshi hotels also work as a base for the Chagga culture and village trips listed here.

Because room types, facilities and policies change, check the details with the property when you book. Ask about the exact location, the distance to the airport and the gate, whether an airport transfer or early breakfast can be arranged, and whether hot water, wifi and laundry are available.

If you are climbing, ask about luggage storage for the bags you leave behind, since you will only carry what you need on the mountain. It is also worth asking whether the property can pack a breakfast for an early start and whether it will hold a late checkout for your return.

For a trek, aim to arrive the day before the climb begins so you have time to meet your guide, sort kit and sleep. Plan one night afterwards as well, because flights on the day you come off the mountain are tiring and risky if the descent runs late. Pay attention to the seasons: the drier months, January to early March and June to October, are the busiest and rooms fill early, while the rains in April, May and November bring lower rates and a greener landscape.

Whichever property you choose, bring small bills for tips, a power bank and a torch for the occasional power cut. Tanzanian hospitality is warm and informal, and a little patience and good humour go a long way.