Hamerkop House: Our full report

Previously a private home, Hamerkop House opened in 2019 as a stylish guest house catering for up to 10 guests ...

... in four rooms.

On arrival from the car park, you are led through a flower-filled courtyard into the main area. This comprises a lounge with comfy sofas, a bar and a wooden cabinet with local curios for sale. Outside is a covered veranda with individual tables and chairs for alfresco dining, overlooking the swimming pool. Across the lawn is the pool house, a covered, open-air area used for additional dining.

Two of the four guest rooms at Hamerkop House are located in the main building off the main lounge and the other two are separate cottages leading off the courtyard.

Each en suite room is spacious with large windows and glass doors leading out to a private terrace. The rooms are decorated in white and sandy tones, with stone floors and have either twin beds or a double bed under large mosquito nets. Above the beds, inside the net, is an overhead ceiling fan.

The bathrooms are spacious, and have double basins and double rain showers, and a flush toilet tucked around the corner. Glass doors lead outside to an enclosed courtyard with an additional, open-air shower and a bathtub.

Through the bathroom is another spacious room with a large double sofa which converts into a sofa bed for children. There is hanging storage for clothes, a luggage rack and an electronic safe.

There is a swimming pool in the garden and a pathway meandering through the trees that leads you onto the 18-hole championship golf course. On our last visit we wandered along the golf course, where we saw dik dik and some amazing bird life.

With only four bedrooms Hamerkop House is perfect for couples, a group of friends or a family travelling together. A stay here can be combined with Hamerkop House’s sister properties: Lemala Ngorongoro, the seasonal Lemala Mara and Ndutu camps, Lemala Ewanjan, and Lemala Kuria Hills.

Our view

This is a lovely, intimate guesthouse halfway between Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha. The rooms are large and spacious, the food is good and the staff are welcoming. We recommend asking for one of the cottage rooms as these are more private than the two rooms in the main house.

Jessica Plumb

Country manager: Tanzania

Geographics

Location: Arusha, Tanzania
Ideal length of stay: 1 to 2 nights.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Half Board
Food quality: On our last visit, for lunch we had leek and potato soup served with a freshly baked bread roll. This was followed by chicken served with roast vegetables and potatoes. Dessert was fresh fruit salad.
For we had a very tasty carrot and ginger soup served with cheesy rolls, followed by a red snapper masala curry served steamed rice, papadums and salsa. Dessert was a delicious apple tart and chocolate sauce.
Breakfast the following morning was a selection of fresh fruit, cereals and fruit juice. A cooked breakfast was available to order.
Dining style: Individual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Drinks included: Yes drinks are included, excluding premium drinks and Champagne

Children

Attitude towards children: Children over the age of three years are welcome at Hamerkop House.
Property’s age restrictions: Three years and older.
Special activities & services: None
Equipment: None
Generally recommended for children: Hamerkop House doesn’t accept under-3s, and is not particularly friendly for young children.
Notes: Although there is no dangerous game, the guest house is open to the reserve and the swimming pool is unfenced, so parents need to keep an eye on young children.

Communications

Power supply notes: Solar is used as backup in case of any power failure
Communications: There is phone signal and WiFi is available throughout.
TV & radio: There is no TV available
Water supply: Borehole
Water supply notes: Drinking water is supplied.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: There are doctors and hospitals available in nearby Arusha.
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Security measures: There is a security guard at the entrance gate and a security guard patrols the property at night.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers at each room and in the main area.

Extras

Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: Laundry is available at no charge
Money: Each room has a digital safe.

Cash is accepted in USD, Euros and Tanzania shillings
Accepted payment on location: Visa cards are accepted