Usambara Mountains - Accommodation

Usambara Mountains show the real Tanzania off the main tourist trail. Grant's Lodge can be booked on a fully tailor-made basis – you decide how long you want to stay. A visit to the Usambara Mountains can be combined with other destinations within Tanzania and is a perfect addition to the start or end of a safari itinerary.

Grant's Lodge accommodation

Sample itinerary

Grant’s Lodge
Grant’s Lodge in located approximately 20 km outside Lushoto in the Western Usambara Mountains. This spacious, colonial-era manor, built in the 1940s, located in a wide manicured lawn atop a hill in the Migambo area. This area used to be an upmarket community for colonial officers and retirees. Their presence was one reason why Lushoto was the very first rural district to receive electricity in Tanganyika in the 1930s.

The Lodge has four large themed family-sized rooms (PhD, Honeymoon, Tibetan and Nursery room) and a ‘cosy room’ all with shared bathrooms (one bathroom between two rooms) with plenty of hot water! It has only 5 bedrooms , which adds to the intimate nature of the accommodation. There is a large dining room and living area with a giant fireplace, which warms guests as they enjoy the Lodge’s video library of classic movies. Anna, your host, will make you feel at home in their intimate and comfortable facilities. And after a long day of relaxation, indulge with an overdose of the ‘good life’ in their private, wood fired sauna.

Large open fireplace in grants lodge

Grants lodge external view

Spacious lounge area

Grant’s gardens are lush and green with plenty of trees for shade, surrounded by 25 acres of fruit and vegetable farmland. It has several private seating areas from where you can immerse yourself in the expansive views. For the evenings, a campfire can be lit near the patio.

Grant’s Lodge is very near the Magamba Forest Reserve, where you can enjoy walks ranging from 2 to 10 hours. The Lodge has developed several self-guiding trails and walks, each one with a narrative, directions and a map. Some of the more popular walks are the Waterfall, River Loop, Mountain Top and Grant’s Loop walk. The area is well known for it’s rich bird life – brilliant for some good old bird watching.

Grant's Lodge is owned by David and Anna Scheinman. Anna, who is Tanzanian, runs the Lodge and has a wealth of knowledge about the surrounding area. Her husband, David is based in Tanga and is closely involved with the Tanga AIDS Working Group (TAWG), which is working with traditional healers to help discover alternative treatments for the symptoms of AIDS. Further info: article 1 - article 2

Sample itinerary
Day 1 - Transfer by luxury coach to Mombo. A representative of Grant’s will meet you off the coach and take you up into the Usamabaras to Grant's Lodge, approx 1 ½ hr from Mombo (FB basis). Treat yourself after the journey and relax in Grant’s private sauna.

Day 2 - Set off in the morning on the Irente Viewpoint Walk (part of Tanzania - Cultural Tourism Programme). After a couple of hours walk you reach this beautiful viewpoint and enjoy a home-cooked lunch as part of the walk on the way back. Return to Grant's mid-afternoon (FB basis).

Day 3 – A free day at Grant's Lodge. Try one of a number of self-guiding walks and trails, sit down in front of the roaring fire to watch some classic videos from Grant’s large collection or enjoy their lovely green garden. Overnight stay in Grant's Lodge (FB basis).

Day 4 – Sample another module of the Tanzania - Cultural Tourism programme with the Growing Rock Walk, famous for its butterflies. Departing early morning and returning mid-afternoon. Overnight stay in Grant's Lodge (FB basis).

Day 5 – Depart Grant's mid-morning, in time to get the luxury coach onward to either Dar or Arusha.

Irente Viewpoint

Rich birdlife in Usambaras

Waterfall walk

Sample Prices
Your stay in the Usambara Mountains can be fully tailor-made.
Daily coahes between Dar/Arusha and Mombo are available, so you can stay as long as you like.

Price for sample itinerary: 5 days Usambara Mountains sample itinerary starts from £360 per person (based on 2 people sharing), including 4 nights accommodation in Grant's Lodge (FB basis), land transfers and cultural trips.

Please note that BAOBAB prices do NOT include any bar drinks and international flight.