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Dreaming of a Unique Weekend RetreatBy lute wa lutengano The other week my uncle was in town. He had travelled all the way from Njombe to come and visit me. In those circumstances, I did not have much alternative than to take him around and get him to know Arusha. My uncle, that of the Chief Merere of Usangu heritage, is such discerning person so I had to be careful where I took him. Apart from the Nyama Choma session at the Kijenge AICC Club, I decided to take him around some tourist hotels in and around town. I first took him to the elegant Arusha Hotel, where he marvelled at the unique interior décor and the well laid out gardens. Then it was on to Impala Hotel, where, he again enjoyed the cosy atmosphere. Then I took him to the newly opened Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge. I had been there once, and at night, so I also did not have a clear picture of how it looks like and what it is. What I saw was heartstopping. I could not believe there was such an establishment in Arusha. The Ngurodoto Mountain Lodge is nestled between Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro within a lush cofee plantation of 140 acres. You drive up from the Moshi road along the road leading to the Arusha National Park at Usa River. One or two kilometres up, you come across the gate leading to the lodge. That is when you meet the difference. Suddenly the road is smooth and the olive green coffee plantations craddle the road on both sides. A hundred metres or so emerges one of the architectural wonders of Arusha if not of the whole Tanzania. It is the Ngurudoto Mountain Lodge. It is an awesome sight. "This is a beautiful property,"commented the Crown Prince of Norway HRH Haakon Magnus a few months ago. With natural streams flowing through the property, from Mount Meru and the lush vagetation and the magnificent views of the snow capped Mt. Kilimanjaro and the looming Mt. Meru, right infront of the lodge, it is an absolutely awesome sight. We were received by Mr. Kazimoto, a pleasant man who knows a lot about the logdge. He took us around a few of the rooms. The lodge can accommodate a total of 350 guests – in 30 chalets with 60 rooms, 72 rooms in the main building and seven presidential suites. All of them have spacious en suite bathrooms, telephones, satelite TVs, and most of them have jacuzzis. All rooms have mini bars, tea/coffee making facilities, safe deposit lockers and spacious beds. Then we visited the conference facilities. Victoria room can accommodate 600 delegates. Meru room 400 people and a Board room for up to 40 people. A comprehensive business centre is next to them. There are two main restaurants, the Kilimanjaro and the Cane. Also there is a BBQ Ranch outdoors and a Rafiki Corner coffee shop. For delegates who feel the need to enjoy some extra mural activities there is an 18- hole golf course, a health club and fully equipped gym with a sauna, two tennis courts, a badminton court, swimming pool, toddlers pool, children’s play ground and indoor board games. As I stood between the two reception areas which can
accommodate simultaneous check ins, I could not help to notice the water gushing
under the floor boards, coming down from Mt. Meru. ""They give some very unique
charm. Especially when lit at night,"commented Kazimoto. I was already dreaming
of the day Mr. Mrema, the Director of the lodge, will extend a weekend retreat
for me and my family. What a retreat it will be!
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