Kigoma Hilltop Hotel

Kigoma Hilltop hotel which sits on a cliff overlooking Lake Tanganyika, underwent massive renovations to the rooms which included huge balconies with great views, LCD TVs, downy white sheets and massive pillows, modern bathrooms, and tasteful furnishings which is a nice mix of king size zanzibarish style wooden post beds and simple modern.

They've just completed construction of a new, multi-level bar/restaurant next to the pool which is built literally hugging the edge of the cliff all wooden, with a massive thatched roof that is gorgeous.

The food is delicious- they've got a set menu for a decent price with seafood from the lake or flown in direct from Mwanza or Dar and usually one asian option. 

Service is also quite good considering the usual Tanzanian service I'm used to. Wait staff are warm and friendly without being obtrusive. 

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In regards to the mosquitoes- I'd say this is unavoidable as they are located right next to the water.

They do keep a can of repellent in the room for you so I'd advise that you do a massive bombing when you leave the room for dinner.

Kigoma Hilltop is about the only hotel in Kigoma. It is located about 2 km from Kigoma on the top of the hill where you have nice view of Lake Tanganyika. We stayed there for 1 night as part of the trip to Gombe National Park.

Rooms were located in semi-detached houses i.e. two rooms in one house. Our double room turned out to be a twin room and the beds took majority of its space.

Mosquito nets were not sprayed and we got bitten in the night. Also, very loud air condition kept us awake.

Bathroom was smallish but shower worked well. There was tv, fridge, but no safety box.

View from the small balcony was nice, but there weren't any chairs or stools to sit.

This place does not sell any alcohol, so bring your own if needed, you are allowed to bring your own bottle to dinner table.

Menu for lunch and dinner was the same and there wasn't anything else to choose from. Very limited! Maybe because there weren't many guests.

Open air swimming pool was ok, but there weren't any sunshades, so who wants to lie in direct sun shine?

There were many zebras and monkeys in the hotel area, and one parrot in the cage which doesn't look sad to me, though I would have preferred it to live free.

It seems that recession has hit this place and it's lacking of guests. A lot of renovation work was going on so maybe all is ready for the next economic boom.

The hotel comprises of 30 cottage type, self contained and air conditioned rooms, including 10 suites and 20 executive rooms.

All rooms have an old world colonial ambience, each with a balcony with a breath taking view of Lake Tanganyika and the remarkable sunsets.

All the rooms have hot & cold water; satellite TV, refrigerators and direct dialling telephone facilities. The suites are blended with an extra living room and TVs in both the living room and bedroom.

3 Restaurants serving Multi Cuisine A La Carte Menus with Continental, Chinese, Italian and India recreation and leisure facilities are available (tennis court, swimming pool, win surfing.

It is an ideal place before and after Gombe and Mahale Safari if you arrive to Kigoma.