Our boutique villa, located on the Kilimanjaro Golf, Polo and Wildlife Estate will be your home away from home during your stay with us. All meals are served in the villa and guests are encouraged to make full use of the swimming pool located in the courtyard. It’s within minutes from the golf club and polo club, making it a sanctuary for horse, polo, golf and wildlife enthusiasts looking for a spectacular place to stay near the Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha.
Dolly Estate
The Estate is situated on 4000 acres of prime African bush land, nestled between Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru, home to Zebras, Wildebeests, Elands, Kudu’s, several species of gazelles and antelopes and the very shy and rare Gerenuk (along with many other animals). Over two hundred species of birds have also been recorded on the estate, including the protected African river duck.
History of Dolly Estate
In 1927 Earnest Hjalmar Ake Bursell, the Danish farm manager for Karen Blixen, (of Out of Africa fame) came to the then called Tanganyika and pioneered a sisal estate venture. He bought 5,000 acres and carved a plantation from what was pristine African savannah. Nestled between Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru, the estate had stunning vistas and was conveniently located close to the main trunk road between Arusha and Moshi. At that time there were countless wild animals, which over the years were decimated due to the farming activities.
In 2001 Bastian Bruins, Jeroen Bruins and John Warren formed a company called BCW Holdings Ltd for the purpose of acquiring an estate – the very one that Earnest created in 1927. The vision was to recreate the unique piece of African bush and reintroduce large numbers of wildlife as part of a low-density real estate development. As both Bruins’ are keen polo players, it was agreed to develop two irrigated polo fields and a clubhouse with a gym and swimming pool. The owner’s also envisaged building an 18-hole championship golf course on the estate – once the sisal was removed and the natural habitat restored.
Kili Golf
Kili Golf is Tanzania’s most prestigious 18-hole Championship Golf Course, designed by the former Irish national coach and European tour champion David Jones. The golf club has a spectacular clubhouse with restaurant and bar facilities.
The course cleverly follows the natural contours of the land, integrating into the design, the indigenous plants and trees that continue to thrive on the estate. With four sets of tees at each hole, the course can be played at a championship length of approximately 6,500m down to a gentler 5,400m. The greens are large, with subtle changes in elevation as the location demands. All are built to USGA specification. Bunkers have been strategically placed to allow all golfers a fair route to the fairways and greens. The spectacular stream and lake systems that flow through and around the golf course are simply an extension of the Usa River, with every drop of water used to enhance the beauty and challenge of the golf course, being returned to the river. At the nearby driving range, players can enjoy the spectacular views of Mt Kilimanjaro whilst practicing their shots.
Polo Safari Club
Founded by Jeroen Bruins in 1995, the Nduruma Polo Club was the first and continues to be the only polo club operational in Tanzania. The spectacular clubhouse, the hub for horse and polo enthusiasts was built to resemble the Sultan of Zanzibar’s palace, provides the perfect place to enjoy the breathtaking views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru. Polo chukkas are played every Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, whilst social field hockey is played on Wednesday afternoons before club night.