Varied Mount Meru experience with walking, canoeing as well as gamedrives
Guide Price: From: $395 To: $445
Hatari Lodge is definitely the best bet for {Arusha National Park} itself, set at the foot of Mount Meru in beautiful grounds with a stunning view of Kilimanjaro, if the giraffes would only move out of the way.
The name obviously comes from the 1960's film ''Hatari'', some of which was filmed in the area and one of whose leading stars (Hardy Kruger) made this area his home. The original, and rather ugly, Momella Lodge is out front, but it's easy to pretend it's not there and doesn't impinge in any way. The whole place went down hill when things got rocky in the 60's and 70's but was then resurrected as Oldonyo Oroc (known to locals as Steffi's Place') until 2004 when Jorg & Marlies Gabriel made it their life's work to renovate the hotel from top to bottom and rebranded the place as ''Hatari Lodge''. Although they've pulled back from everyday management, they very much steer things from the background and the chances are you'll meet them during your stay.
They've been quite tenacious with the modern retro, 60's movie theme which permeates every aspect of the place in a refreshingly individual & pretty outrageous way. You can feel the passion that underpins Hatari - great attention to detail and total commitment both to the lodge and to the park in which it thrives, alongside delicious food, good staff and reliable service.
You have to know what you're doing to get the very best out of this area and the most rewarding time is likely to be had from walking safaris, either on the lower slopes of Mount Meru or in and around Ngurdoto Crater, alternatively there is the chance for some gentle canoeing on the lakes as well as for game drives which, whilst exciting for safari newcomers, struggle toi match the excitement of other areas of northern Tanzania.
Both the area and the lodge work best at the start of a safari and, given recent improvements with the park tracks, it's now easily reached from Kilimanjaro airport, making an evening arrival (from the KLM flight) not only possible but a particularly fun & exciting 'first night in Africa' experience.
In fact, view the whole thing as a gentle warm up act before you hit the northern mega parks by giving it 2, even 3 nights at the start of any trip. We wouldn't recommend it for one night, nor would they, instead look at somewhere like {Rivertrees Lodge} for that.
From: 395 To: 445
Varied Mount Meru experience with walking, canoeing as well as gamedrives
price includes accommodation, house wine and activites. Exludes laundry and any drinks from the bar.
Arusha Park is just a few kilometres north east of Arusha and has a rich variety of wildlife, despite the small size of the park. Having climbed through bustling villages and even a massive new Tanzanian university, you hardly have to get beyond the Parks bright new entrance gate before you're overlooking 'Little Serengeti' which is well worth a scan. With a high chance of seeing herds of buffalo, zebra, the odd giraffe and great bird life, it's an inspiring start to any safari. You soon move into montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen. In fact having been made into stars by a classic Hugo van Lawick film, they are almost falling over themselves to get in front of your camera. Read more?
Tanzania safaris rival a safari any other country in Africa in terms of sheer wilderness, formidable landscapes and volume of wildlife. At Natural High, we have travelled all over the country, worked in some of its best Tanzania safari camps and lodges and flown all over as bush pilots so we feel qualified to venture such opinions. Read more?
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Catherine's long experience of, and enthusiasm for Africa, makes her a mine of travel information. Add to the mix her vivacious character and inscrutable attention to detail and there are few people you'd rather have plan your holiday.
At Natural High, we've had long experience putting together trips in Africa that really work. Whether it's intimate bushcamps in out of the way places, or a private lodge in one of Africa's top-billing wildlife areas, light mobile camping or remote island escapes, we know there is a lot to choose from. We're absolutely confident that we can recommend the right places for you.