Arusha & Kilimanjaro
Aya Sophia Wildlife Villa
Villas with private pools on Dolly Estate, between Arusha and Kilimanjaro Airport, where giraffes, zebras and eland walk between the villas.
Plan a safari with this lodge- Area
- Dolly Estate, Maji ya Chai, between Arusha and Kilimanjaro Airport
- Style
- Villas and hotel rooms
- Rooms
- 10 Royal Villas, 10 Golden Villas, 19 Standard Rooms
- Largest villa
- Royal Villa, 3 bedrooms, up to 5 guests
- Wildlife on the grounds
- Giraffe, zebra, eland, wildebeest
- Meals on our safaris
- Full board, wildlife feeding included
- Facilities
- Main pool, spa, gym, sauna, restaurant, coffee lounge, conference centre
Aya Sophia Wildlife Villa is a hotel on Dolly Estate at Maji ya Chai, in the countryside between Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport. The estate lies about 3 km off the Arusha to Moshi road, and giraffes, zebras, eland and wildebeest move freely around the villas, the lawns and the pool.
The hotel has 39 rooms and villas, 20 of them separate villas with their own swimming pool, as well as a large main pool, a restaurant, a spa and a gym. Because the animals live on the estate, you can see giraffes close up on your first afternoon in Tanzania, before the safari has started.
We suggest it for the first or last night of a northern Tanzania safari, as the estate is closer to Kilimanjaro Airport than Arusha town, and for families and small groups who want a villa with its own pool.
What it's like
There are three types of accommodation. Royal Villas have three bedrooms (one king and two queen beds) and two bathrooms, and they sleep up to five, so they suit families and groups of friends. Golden Villas have one king bed and are the usual choice for couples. Both villa types have a private swimming pool, an outdoor shower, a television and a fridge. Standard Rooms are in a separate building, each with a king bed and a balcony.
The animals are the main reason to stay here. Giraffes come up to the villa terraces, zebras and eland graze along the paths, and the hotel runs wildlife feeding sessions, which are included when you stay on full board. Villa stays on full board also include one bush breakfast or bush lunch out on the estate.
The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating with views towards Mount Meru, and the menu ranges from grills and Swahili dishes to Thai food and vegetarian options. Around the main pool there are loungers and umbrellas, and the hotel also has a spa, a gym, a sauna, a coffee lounge, bicycles and games such as table tennis and pool.
Getting there
Times are best estimates and can be longer in Arusha traffic. The road is good for all vehicles right up to the hotel. For Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the crater, the route passes through Arusha, so allow the drive into town on top of the times on our park pages.
Park fees
The hotel is outside the national parks, so no park fees apply for nights here. Arusha National Park is about 25 minutes away, so a game drive there can fit into an arrival or departure day. Park fees for that day go into our quote as a separate line, and current figures are on our park fees page. See Tanzania park fees.
Who it suits
A good fit for
- Seeing giraffes and zebras up close on the first or last day of a safari
- Families and groups of up to five sharing a Royal Villa
- Couples who want a villa with a private pool
- A first night close to Kilimanjaro International Airport
Look elsewhere for
- Guests who want to walk to restaurants and shops in Arusha town, which is about 50 minutes away by road.
- Travellers looking for a quiet, small lodge, as the hotel also hosts meetings and day visitors.
When to go
The hotel is open all year. The animals live on the estate, so wildlife viewing here does not depend on the season, and the best time to stay depends on when you plan to visit the parks.
Common questions
Are there giraffes at Aya Sophia Wildlife Villa?
Yes. Giraffes live on Dolly Estate together with zebras, eland and wildebeest, and they move freely between the villas. Wildlife feeding is included when you stay on full board.
Where is Aya Sophia Wildlife Villa?
It is on Dolly Estate at Maji ya Chai, about 3 km off the Arusha to Moshi road. The drive is about 45 minutes to Kilimanjaro International Airport and about 50 minutes to Arusha town.
Do the villas at Aya Sophia have private pools?
Yes. Both the Royal Villas and the Golden Villas have their own swimming pool. The Standard Rooms do not, but guests in every room can use the main pool.
Can we visit Aya Sophia for the day without staying?
Yes. The hotel offers day visits from late morning to late afternoon, which include wildlife feeding. A day visit works well on the day you fly out, or on the way back from a safari. Ask us and we will add it to your itinerary.
What is the difference between Aya Sophia and Giraffe Manor Tanzania?
Both are on Dolly Estate and both have giraffes on the grounds. Aya Sophia is a larger hotel with 39 rooms and villas, 20 of them with private pools, plus a conference centre. Giraffe Manor Tanzania is a newer stone lodge that opened in January 2026. We can quote either one, and we have a separate guide to Giraffe Manor Tanzania.
How much does a stay at Aya Sophia Wildlife Villa cost?
It depends on your dates, the villa or room type and the rest of the route. We can quote the stay on its own or as part of a full safari quote with the vehicle, guide and park fees included. Send us your dates and we will cost it properly.
Other places to stay in Arusha & Kilimanjaro
Arusha Serena Hotel, Gran Meliá Arusha, Arusha Coffee Lodge, Kibo Palace Hotel, Arusha Planet Lodge, Airport Planet Lodge.
See all lodges and campsSources and Maintenance
Where these figures come from
Fees, rules and official guidance can change at short notice. Every figure on this page is checked against a primary source on the date below and rechecked on a regular schedule.
- Aya Sophia Wildlife Villa official website (rooms and villas, location, facilities, dining, photos) (checked 31 October 2026)
- Aya Sophia Wildlife Villa 2026 to 2027 fact sheet sent to tour operators (meal plans, wildlife feeding, day visits, drive times) (received 2026)
Saleh Safaris is an independent safari operator based in Arusha. This is our own guide to Aya Sophia Wildlife Villa, not the lodge's official website.