Ngare Sero Lodge

The ground floor of the old farmhouse serves as the main communal area, with a large hall decorated with African artefacts, two dining rooms and a comfortable lounge with a grand stone fireplace. Outside, a long veranda has several seating areas overlooking the garden, where there's a pretty lake, a quaint footbridge, a spa, stables, a trout farm and an organic veggie patch. There's also a 30-metre-long swimming pool (days can be hot!) and few outdoor dining and seating areas.

Three lovely en-suite rooms in the main house have king-sized beds, private lounges and verandas with spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. In the garden, 10 semi-detached garden rooms are tucked among bougainvilleas and jacaranda trees. They're charming – each is individually decorated with beautiful fabrics and handmade furniture. With views of Kili and Meru, the fully equipped private villa (once the manager's house) sleeps five in two en-suite bedrooms, with a third en-suite bedroom and small lounge in the adjoining cabin.

Ngare Sero is better known as a retreat where you charge (or recharge) your batteries before undertaking the rest of your Tanzanian adventure. Nevertheless, there's plenty to keep you interested for a day or two. Wander through the forest, or explore further afield on horseback (several horses are stabled on the property). Cast your line in the trout-filled lake, or just enjoy a gentle paddle on its calm waters and watch the birds – 200-plus species have been recorded.