Onsea House Country Inn & Guest Cottage

If you’re planning a trip to the East African region, this great ‘country inn and guest cottage’ is worth the detour. Set in the wonderful green hills of Arusha, Onsea House is a true combination of great hotel service, very personal hospitality and a genuine European ‘home’ feeling. Dirk and Inneke Janssens-Onsea have created a Belgian diamond in Tanzania. Onsea House has it all: exclusive, contemporary design of the rooms with African flair, furniture, garden and pool; a team of 12 people to service the guests (only 5 rooms, of which 2 luxury suites, fresh flowers included); and above all the greatest food, prepared with plenty of soul and professionalism by Dirk’s nephew, Axel Janssens, a Belgian chef who combines the best of African and Belgian worlds in very creative dishes and challenging menus. We had lobster, lamb, ginger and carrot soup, Italian pastas with ‘flagolets’, home made ice cream: the best local vegetables and fruit make each dish a true delight.

Dirk and Axel are not just ‘running a lodge’: they consider it essential that every guest has the best time ever. Breakfast, lunch or dinner: you decide when! By the way: prices are low compared to European standards, and the best South African wines are included in the dinner, which is normally four courses.

They also organize the best safari tours in the region: we did Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro, accompanied by a great lunch box, carefully prepared by Axel and his staff.

We stayed one week in Onsea House and we can’t stop profusing in superlatives. Someone should create a fan club for these people, because this is so marvelous: they give you the best idea of Africa, while you feel at home and get overwhelmed by tastes, senses and impressions that you never noticed in Europe.

We will be back!