Hotels in the Kili/Moshi/Arusha Area:

West Kilimanjaro area: Ndarakwai Ranch is a private reserve with lovely en suite tents where, because it's a private reserve, one can go on walks and night drives. The food is, honestly, the best we've had in Tanzania and the management really pays attention to the little details to make your stay as pleasant as possible. While it's not a place to go for huge numbers of game, they do have a large resident herd of eland, as well as other antelope and elephants. They have 12 spacious tents and the "bush showers" (in your bathroom but with water they bring heated at just the right temperature!) are exhilerating! Rates are Tanzanian-reasonable for the type of tents you get - really top notch. A very relaxing place - we've been twice now!

For more information, email: info@ndarakwai.com; telephone: (255) 27-250-2713; cell phone: (255) 0754-333 550.

The Marangu Hotel is another good place to stay in the area. It used to be a coffee plantation and now plans hikes up and down Kilimanjaro. The staff and managers are very friendly; the managers really respect their employees and the hotel has lots of history to it. For people who don't wish to spend a lot of money and want to stay in a beautiful area with lots of wonderful flora the 'Marangu' Hotel is an ideal place.

Restaurants in Arusha:

A good restaurant to visit would be the Everest Inn: it serves chinese cuisine.