The Old Farm House

The Old Farm House

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About

#1 of 5 campgrounds in Iringa
Location
4.3
Rooms
4.7
Value
4.6
Cleanliness
4.6
Service
4.6
Sleep Quality
4.8
The Old Farm House specializes in accommodation from bush camping (1 site for Overland Trucks and a separate site for Private Vehicles) to luxury, with a variety of cozy and clean accommodation in between.Kisolanza is a working farm with cattle, sheep, vegetables, tobacco and flowers. You are free to explore the farm. Place an order for beef, lamb, eggs and fresh vegetables for your onward journey.The Ghaui Family has lived in East Africa for over a hundred years, and are happy to share their knowledge of the area with you.Our Restaurant incorporates the ruins of an old mud building and is famous for it's authentic atmosphere and for the menu of fresh farm produce and garden herbs. The Old Farm House, Kisolanza, is the perfect gateway to your stay in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. We are a days drive from Dar Es Salaam, the borders of Zambia and Malawi, Arusha and about 3 hours from Ruaha National Park.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free wifi in the business center
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Facial treatments
Full body massage
24-hour security
Mosquito net
Breakfast available
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Head massage
Manicure
Pedicure
Picnic area
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Swahili

Location

Kisolanza Farm, Iringa Tanzania
Getting there
Iringa Nduli Airport
40.6 mi•
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Traveler rating
  • 86
  • 26
  • 5
  • 0
  • 1
Time of year
Traveler type
Language
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Detailed Reviews
Emily S wrote a review Feb 2023
Seattle, Washington
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We’re so glad we stopped to stay at Kisolanza! We were just looking for a place to camp between Mbeya and Dodoma, but this well exceeded our expectations. The campsite is on a working farm, so the grounds are beautiful - be sure to take a walk and enjoy the many flowers and trees, and adorable cows in a nearby field.

We had a lovely flat campsite with a covered area and an outlet where we could plug in our fridge, not too close to other campsites. The ablutions are pristine, with hot showers! We didn’t hear any road noise, just the right nature sounds to lull us to sleep.

The highlight of Kisolanza for us was the food! It’s 100% worth paying for meals at their restaurant, really don’t miss it. Their ingredients come straight from the farm and it’s absolutely delicious. The restaurant itself has lots of atmosphere - it’s the original farmhouse walls that have been restored and beautifully decorated.

This was such a nice surprise and we would have been happy to stay longer!
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Date of stay: November 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise wrote a review Nov 2020
Tokyo, Japan
5.0 of 5 bubbles
As an expat couple from Dar es Salaam, we had booked the Old Farm House for 2 nights and extended our stay for a third. Our only regret is that we couldn't stay longer. The owner is a true inspiration; lovely, attentive and helpful without being intrusive.
We indulged in the spa treatments, which were all performed by very professional and qualified beauty aestheticians. We would definitely recommend it.
The food is sublime - some of the freshest, best food you in all of Tanzania. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were at every time a genuine delight.
We stayed in one of the stable rooms as we booked late and the cottages were all occupied - so it's preferable to book in advance! - but it was a perfectly clean and quaint room with a picturesque stable door, a good bed, mozzie net, clean bathroom with a hot shower. Couldn't have asked for more.
We will definitely be back, and will travel to Iringa just to spend some more time in this little piece of heaven in Tanzania's Southern Highlands.
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Date of stay: October 2020
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philippa wrote a review Jan 2022
Johannesburg, South Africa
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We arrived late afternoon with no booking in the hope that we would be able to stay overnight. When we drove in to the camping / chalet area there was no one about but after a while an extremely helpful man arrived to welcome us. We stayed in a really quaint well furnished, spotlessly clean chalet with a fireplace inside & a large veranda. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the man that helped us, but after hearing that we had driven from South Africa and we were on the way to Ruaha National Park he suggested we talk to a couple who were also staying there as they were experts on Ruaha having lived in the park for over 15 years! The information that they gave us was invaluable & we would not have met them if it was not for him. We then turned into the guests from hell as we locked ourselves out of the chalet. Nicky arrived as we were trying to open the door (looked more like we were trying to break in) more staff came to assist - eventually they managed to get it unlocked - a fire was lit for us and we had one of the most relaxing nights of our adventure - Thank you to everyone who made us feel so welcome.
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Date of stay: November 2021
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Room Tip: The Chalets are clean & very comfortable
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jafwriter wrote a review Jul 2022
Doha
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Amazing as always. I stopped in on my way to Ruaha National Park for lunch and on the return. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to stay overnight as before. However, it was just as good or even better than last year. The food, coffee shop, and accommodation is so lovely. Organic food and so pure, wonderful staff, great ambiance, and an oasis during a hectic trip. You feel like you are in the middle of a secret garden where birds and butterflies reign among the flowers. Great walks, and insightful talks. If you are in the area, stop in for a cup of coffee and amazing coffee cake, at the least…and walk out with a packet full of real vegetables like when you grew up. Or, if you are lucky stay for awhile. Nicky, as always, is the perfect hostess.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip: come to the coffee shop when it is open and relax, shop for vegetables and other goodies. But, I...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michaellE3749SE wrote a review Jan 2022
Addison
3.0 of 5 bubbles
The “luxury” cottage is nice and homey, with a lovely fireplace. We enjoyed both our dinner and breakfast. The service is lacking, however, especially for the cost of the cottage. Reception was closed when we arrived at 4 pm, so we had no idea where the cottage was nor where the meals were to be held. After a number of calls to the contact number we finally got a couple of messages letting us know where dinner was to be, what time, etc. For the price…it should’ve been better.
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Date of stay: January 2022
3.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
1.0 of 5 bubblesService
3.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Molen61 wrote a review Aug 2024
Schiedam, The Netherlands
4.0 of 5 bubbles
What a magnificent place! We stayed in one of the houses, an absolute top accommodation. The farm itself is good for birding and relaxing - a stay of three nights is shortish...
We enjoyed the restaurant, the stay itself and several hidden gems on the farm to do bird watching. The staff is wonderfull, service minded and pleasant.
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Date of stay: August 2024
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ajay G wrote a review Jun 2021
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This is the perfect place for a week-long family holiday with very limited internet connectivity. Really helps bring the family together. The farm villa was the perfect place for a family of four with all the touches of the perfect farmhouse. The staff were absolutely wonderful, Nothing was ever too much for them. The food was homemade and you could taste the love put into it. Nicola the onwer was ever so accomodating and made us feel like family. Cannot wait to go back
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Date of stay: June 2021
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
4.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Room Tip: We used the family room.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josephine wrote a review Apr 2020
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I recently spent a week on a writing retreat Kisolanza. I stayed in one of the campsite cottages, and it was the perfect set up. I could alternate between working at a specially set-up desk inside the cottage, or out on the veranda with views of nature. Every evening, a walk throught the miombo woodlands to the dam was the perfect way to switch off after a day of work. Kisolanza is also a birding paradise. During a period when many of us are not able to work in an office due to COVID-19, I highly recommend staying at Kisolanza as a place to work, relax, spend time in nature, and strike a work-life balance.

Some work tips: I recommend you bring an extension lead, a monitor, keyboard and printer if you need a real workstation. Vodacom internet was mostly reliable. Kisolanza also provides WIFI in a communal area.
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Date of stay: March 2020
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy wrote a review Jun 2022
Grabouw, South Africa
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
An unexpected treat.
We had been on the dreadful great north road all day and Nikki was waiting for us when we arrived. Amazing staff and service. The chalets are just gorgeous and the attention to detail was superb. There was a fire lit in our room and the table was set for dinner in our lovely warm room. They grow all their fresh produce themselves and it was the best we've tasted for ages! Can't recommend them highly enough.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: If you can, try and buy your fresh produce, including meat from them.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pushpa S wrote a review Jan 2021
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
4.0 of 5 bubbles
We had a very short stay at the Old Farm House arrived around 4 pm and left around 10 am next day.

It was raining so hard, however, the service was impeccable and the rooms very cosy and clean. The food was excellent -We requested vegetarian food and it was delicious.

Thank you Madina and Sufa for being so helpful.
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Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
…
EvangeliaIringa asked a question Mar 2015
Iringa30 contributions15 helpful votes
Are you open today?
Answer from airamSydney
Sydney171 contributions146 helpful votes
This is a vague question. The times of opening are best addressed to Management. However, the reader may find the following of interest. It is adapted from a book I am writing. When we arrived in Iringa, we drove another 50 kilometres southwest of Iringa to the Kisolanza Farm. We arrived rather late in the evening. Despite the darkness, it was not difficult to notice that this was an excellent campsite. It is a working Farm. They produce everything here. So what you will dine is fresh and produced in the Farm itself. The owners have successfully managed to unite what they found already existing here with what they added. The Restaurant, was constructed to integrate the ruins of an old mud building. We believe that the wooden beams on the roof are of the same wood it had previously and they covered the roof with the same type of straw. Look at the terracotta urns and the candles lighting up the mud alcoves. The light from the fire place strikes the mud walls and is thrown back in a golden glow. It makes the place attractive, inviting, romantic and intimate.You will probably be invited to a typical Maasai dinner. Go to the Bar and come back brimming with smiles as you carry cups of hot chocolate with Zani. We were ushered to the dining room area with a long table, lit with candles and already set out with plates, cutlery and napkins. We took our seats and prepared ourselves for a traditional Maasai dinner. The dinner was served, it seemed, by ministering angels whose movements were so soft and silent as if their feet never touched the ground. Large bows with steaming Carrot and Cardomon soup were placed soundlessly on the table. We served ourselves with the aid of a ladle. The bread rolls, fresh and hot from the oven were a delight and some broke them into pieces and dropped them into their bowls before consuming the soup. What followed titillated the senses. Bean stew, Beef cooked in tomato and fresh ginger with a hint of garlic, Spinach and onion, sweet potato and Ugali. The latter is the staple maize meal of Tanzania and other countries of the African Great Lakes region. The maize flour is mixed with water and cooked to bring it to a porridge like consistency. “The Spinach tastes like what our cook gathered from the jungle”. Being a working Farm, it is probably the same. We wouldn’t be surprised if that variety is cultivated here for culinary purposes”. On our way out,we bought Chocolate Brownies as a little treat. Content and fully fed, we retreated to our tents and fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow. On the following morning, our positive thoughts about the Kisolanza Farm were corroborated thanks to the light of day. We realized that we had pitched our tents on a well kept and manicured garden. There were numerous trees and these in turn attracted a variety of birds. The songs of those birds, at awaking moments were a delight to our ears. There were numerous pathways all bearing a sign indicating what was ahead. So were the signs to the showers which provided hot water. The long drop toilets were the cleanest we ever used. They were ecologically friendly and devoid of any malodour. “We were sad to leave this beautiful campsite.
Jafwriter wrote a tip Jul 2022
Doha26 contributions27 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"come to the coffee shop when it is open and relax, shop for vegetables and other goodies. But, I recommend staying for a couple of nights."
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Cathy wrote a tip Jun 2022
Grabouw, South Africa10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"If you can, try and buy your fresh produce, including meat from them. "
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Philippa wrote a tip Jan 2022
Johannesburg, South Africa350 contributions202 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"The Chalets are clean & very comfortable"
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Ajay G wrote a tip Jun 2021
56 contributions7 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"We used the family room."
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Robert K wrote a tip Apr 2018
40 contributions31 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"Go for the luxury suite if possible"
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LOCATION
TanzaniaIringa RegionIringa
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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THE OLD FARM HOUSE

Frequently Asked Questions about The Old Farm House
What are some of the property amenities at The Old Farm House?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at The Old Farm House?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at The Old Farm House?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at The Old Farm House?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Swahili.
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