Hatari Lodge is a legendary handmade bush hotel which use to be part of the setting for the famed Howard Hawks film 'Hatari'! featuring John Wayne, Hardy Krüger etc... Hatari Lodge is located in protected woodlands on the edge of a clearing called Momella meadow with views on Kilimanjaro. The area surrounding the lodge is adjacent to the vast and beautiful Arusha National Park in Tanzania.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Our stay was wonderful, the team gave us a warm welcome and always looked after our well-being. The manager was constantly present and took care of the organization of excursions etc. on a daily basis.
The “Flamingo” lodge where we stayed was rather rustic and lovingly furnished; the room was checked and cleaned several times a day by housekeeping. The complex itself is located in the Arusha National Park and had great animal observations for us 24 hours a day, both from our own room, on the “Sundowner” wooden walkway or on the terrace while eating, simply extremely beautiful and relaxing.
The home-made juices were very tasty, there was free water, tea (homemade organic tea) and coffee at all times. Every meal was delicious, always fresh and could be adapted to individual needs, you just have to speak to the always present, friendly staff in good time.
The guides on the excursions offered were super nice, communicative and helpful. The excursions were also great and were always geared towards our interests, just ask and it worked.
We would like to thank the entire team for a wonderful end to our trip to Tanzania, especially Dr. Watson and Mr. Double put a smile on our faces every day. :-)
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Das Personal ist extrem zuvorkommend, auch die Köche, ideal für Sonderwünsche,...
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Arrive and feel good! The reception at the Hatari Lodge is characterized by its special warmth and hospitality. You immediately feel welcome and have the feeling that you have arrived in the right place. The lodge is beautifully embedded in the landscape of the Arusha NP - Mount Meru and the lush green landscape are a balm for the eyes. The footbridge into the plain becomes the "place to be" for the sundowner - the day is said goodbye to with a fire and chilled drinks. Afterwards you can sit down on the terrace for a 4-course meal, which is regionally influenced and of down-to-earth quality. The kitchen makes every effort to present a special taste experience. This does not always work, but on the whole it does. In terms of culinary delights, there is certainly still some room for improvement. The rooms are extremely spacious and the huge bathroom is a real "eye-catcher" - we could practically look directly at Kilimanjaro from our bed. The breakfast leaves little to be desired. A special asset of the lodge is the service-oriented, extremely friendly staff. The guest is constantly looked after and almost every wish is read from their lips. The Hatari Lodge is not a cheap place - but the special location, the hospitality and the relaxed atmosphere justify every euro. The excursions we took from the lodge (hike Meru Crater Trail & waterfall and the village tour through Momella) were excellently guided, wonderful experiences. You can twist and turn it however you want - it is certainly one of the most beautiful places we have ever been. Asante sana 🙏🏻
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Inspired by the many stories surrounding this legendary lodge, the film Hatari with John Wayne and Hardy Kruger, as well as the exciting life story of Margarete Trappe and Momella Farm, we arrived full of anticipation. Our expectations were far exceeded. The lodge is centrally located in the Arusha National Park, surrounded by a magnificent landscape and with a touch of African wildlife. Giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes and much more are permanent guests in close proximity to the lodge and offer a magnificent view. A place of tranquility and the perfect place to relax after the long journey, the ideal start for our safari through the national parks. We were accommodated in a spacious Bungalow not far from the main house. In the evening and in the morning we were always escorted by friendly Maasai. The main house, as well as the bungalows are decorated in a very appealing colonial style. The tables at meals are lovingly and elaborately laid. A big thank you goes without exception to all the staff of the lodge, but especially the manager Siyaeli. We were warmly welcomed and felt part of a family from the first second. The service of the campfire, not far from the main house and accessible via a wooden walkway, is unique. At sunset, a small minibar is set up here, comfortable chairs around the campfire are provided with warming blankets. An incredible experience to end the day like this. The food at the lodge is great. It is deliberately cooked sustainably with local food. Both breakfast and dinner consist of local dishes with the appropriate ingredients. These are explained in detail by the employees. We left the lodge with a heavy heart to come back one day with the firm intention. We can more than just recommend this lodge. A piece of Africa at its most beautiful. Thanks again to everyone for this wonderful experience.
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Cleanliness
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Looks good on paper - disappointed when I checked in and stayed 3 days at the hatari lodge. My room was dark no proper lighting (clearly a safety hazard) - no bar fridge or cold drinking water or fan let alone an AC. Lunch provided during the sightseeing safari was disguising - not fit for human consumption. The lady manager was nonchalant and made no effort to accommodate any of my concerns. Clearly lacked hospitality skills ! Never will I go back to this iconic lodge not worth the money I spent. Shop around and check reviews before making a decision on where to stay - but - stay clear of Hatari Lodge. Hope this helps!
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Date of stay: December 2024
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Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:Find some other places that are far more comfortable and safer
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hatari Lodge, Marketing at Hatari Lodge
Responded 3 weeks ago
Dear Mr. Nainie, We appreciate you visiting Hatari Lodge from December 5th to 7th, 2024. Thank you for your feedback. As the owners, we have relayed your insights to our team, as constructive feedback is crucial, particularly since we were on our annual trip to India during your stay. I’m sorry to hear that your experience was not satisfactory. I acknowledge our shortcomings and have a few inquiries for you. Hatari’s iconic legacy contributes to its charm, but we need to adapt to current expectations. How did you learn about us? Did you find our presentation misleading? I sincerely apologize if that was the case; we strive for genuine representation. Hatari values nature and community. We reached out to your safari guide and, understanding your background and passion, we assume you also prioritize a sustainable future. At 1,600 meters above sea level, we refrain from using fans or air conditioning but focus on enhancing airflow and warmth in our facility. You are right about the lighting situation; we are in the process of replacing windows to facilitate better air circulation and doors to increase natural light while minimizing the need for electric lighting. I apologize if our electric lighting fell short of your expectations. Before check-in, you were upgraded from your assigned Deluxe Room to a spacious villa. Our villas feature improved lighting, enhanced air flow, and high ceilings. Thus, we find your concerns regarding air circulation and natural light somewhat misplaced. We provided generous picnic lunches during your stay, which you found unappetizing—perhaps due to their vegetarian nature? We welcome your feedback on the meals during your visit, as we are committed to quality and sustainability in our offerings. I regret that you felt our manager wasn’t attentive enough. Did you raise any concerns while you were here? Or during your dinner with her? She is dedicated and trained to cater to guest needs, so your feedback will be beneficial for her understanding of any perceived issues. Your travel during the low season allowed for an almost empty lodge, granting you ample attention from management and the team. After considering feedback from both my team and your safari guide, we respectfully disagree with your evaluation of our lodge’s value. Guest expectations differ, and we have moved away from traditional amenities such as fans and air conditioning. Were your concerns primarily about the picnic, or did you find other meals satisfactory? Your TripAdvisor review lacks constructive feedback and seems to focus primarily on personal preference and perceived biases. We believe it misrepresents our lodge and kindly request it be reconsidered for removal. Thank you, Marlies and Jörg Gabriel, Owners Hatari Lodge
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hatari Lodge is wonderfully situated and, depending on the time of year, will welcome you with a nice fire situated in the dining room.
The rooms were clean and nicely appointed, but we had no idea when we booked a stay here for three days they are leaning very heavily toward vegetarian and no meat except for possibly fish and if it's not good for you, we don't stock it. Very limited bar with no soda for mixers. Soda has sugar and that's bad for you so we'll make sure you can't have it. Ended up just getting our own in town:) Had to request sugar for tea/coffee or cereal as that's not on the table either because it's bad for you. We had some excellent soups and if we were vegetarian I have a hunch we would have appreciated the creativity of the chef and the kitchen. The lady who was the owner/in charge of the kitchen was rather huffy as she was put out we weren't vegetarian and they only make a store run once a week. She definitely was of the mindset our dining preferences should have been conveyed by our safari company. Maybe so, maybe not, but her demeanor didn't inspire the warm and fuzzies. The wine was very expensive and very limited selection. Rather than rely on the stock at the bar, I would say bring your own.
The water bottle in the beds at night were a nice touch as was the evening fire. They did have robes we were able to use which was terrific when you wake up to a chilly morning.
The place was okay, but a long way from my favorite just because of the items on the menu and what they served.
Staff outstanding!
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Date of stay: August 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hatari Lodge, Owner at Hatari Lodge
Responded Aug 22, 2021
Thank you so much for taking the time to review your recent stay. We appreciate all our valued guests’ feedback. We are sorry to hear that you feel we are not one of your favourite places to stay at due to our meals and food values. Our philosophy is to preserve and respect the planet and we feel strongly about conservation and responsible tourism. We are situated in the Arusha National Park. We support over 20 small scale suppliers between Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru by purchasing our fresh, organic produce from them. We avoid biological and chemical contamination on all our produce. We reduce our food waste as well as our carbon footprint, therefore we only do our shopping once a week and do not serve buffets. During breakfast and dinner, our meals are 90% meat based – lamb, beef and chicken were offered during your stay. We are sorry to hear that you feel all our meals were vegetarian. Our lunches and afternoon snacks are however vegetarian, again, to reduce our carbon footprint. Culture, conservation, and creativity in the kitchen is what we believe in and we apologies that you felt we were not serving this. We are however pleased to hear that you enjoyed the warm water bottle and that our staff were outstanding. Although we seemed to not be one of your most favoured stops, we do still hope you took some great memories and moments away with you. Life is to be lived in harmony and here at Hatari that’s how we practice they way we live and how we serve. Until we meet again, stay safe and travel wise!
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At the end of our 7-day safari, we spent 3 nights relaxing in the HATARI Lodge. We didn't expect too much. It was fantastic! From the pick-up at the gate, the transport, the reception, the room, the food, the service, the advice for tours and their execution... everything was perfect and we felt comfortable and well looked after. The location of the lodge is fantastic in Arusha National Park at the foot of Mount Meru with a view of Kilimanjaro. Asante sana to the whole team at the lodge, who made our stay unforgettable. Best wishes, Siggi and Ralph and Hakuna Matata
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This lodge was the start of our safari and we were allowed to spend 2 nights here. That set the bar extremely high for all the lodges that followed. It is difficult to put into words how incredibly great it was here... We were basically slowed down on the first day and felt like royalty because of the absolute care of the staff. The food was sensational and was always explained in detail by the staff. The ambience in the lodge is unique and took us to another time. Since we were there in the "winter", hot water bottles were put in our beds and the fireplace in the room was lit - simply great!!! Everything is lovingly decorated down to the last detail and is immaculately clean and well maintained. The walkway into the wilderness is also unique and extremely relaxing when you look into the distance at sunset with a fire bowl behind you and enjoy a Kilimanjaro beer.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We returned to Hatari Lodge this year because of our pleasant stay there in 2021. It is closer to Kilimanjaro Airport than lodges in Arusha, so it is a convenient place for kicking off or ending a visit to Arusha National Park and places further afield in the region. This lodge offers you peace and quiet, being relatively small and intimate, You can indulge in the luscious meals, watch game in the marsh area below the lodge (enjoy sundowners on a small deck), or go on some excursions to Ngurdoto Crater, "Little Serengeti", the slopes of Mount Meru ( fascinating for their different vegetation zones) or to Little Momella Lake and Big Momella Lake fed by springs from Kilimanjaro. Mt. Meru is often clear, in plain view; on clear mornings you can also see Kilimanjaro. You do not have to leave the lodge grounds to see many browsing giraffes; naughty blue monkeys, vervet monkeys and colobus monkeys; mousebirds and other species; antelopes and buffalo. A leopard with a limp frequents the area around the lodge: watch out for her. The lodge specializes in organic and natural foods; the meals are sumptuous. You might be surprised by the offering of baobab juice, hibiscus juice in place of the usual soda drinks. The bar offers a good selection of local beers and South African wines. Try this out-of-the-ordinary retreat, enjoy the friendly and dedicated staff as well.
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Date of stay: February 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Request a "villa" for a real treat, an entire two-bedroom suite plus lounge/dining area.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hatari Lodge, Owner at Hatari Lodge
Responded Apr 25, 2022
Asante sana for your lovely, detailed review of your stay with us and thank you for visiting us again! We are so pleased you enjoyed your stay at Hatari and relaxed in our gorgeous grounds. We are so very lucky to have such a range of wildlife in front of the lodge and be surrounded by magical landscapes. We take great pride in our delicious food and drinks, all sourced locally and sustainably, great to hear you thought our meals were 'sumptuous'. Again, a big thank you and we hope to see you again on your next safari.
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Hatari Lodge exceeded our expectations. The rooms are beautiful with with a fire place and local artefacts. The lounge, bar and dining area is very comfortable. The bonus is the decking that runs out onto the plains where we watched a large herd of buffalo, giraffes and waterbuck. The food was delicious and very tasty. The staff were very attentive especially Weston and Micah who were fun, helpful and explained about all the different fruit and vegetables that the Lodge uses. They are a great asset to Hatari Lodge.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Just come and enjoy
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hatari Lodge, Owner at Hatari Lodge
Responded Jul 17, 2023
Dear Catherine Thank you kindly for your feedback on your stay at Hatari. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us. What a bonus to have watched the herd of buffalo, giraffes and waterbuck from your deck... We strive to serve delicious food sourced locally and glad that your enjoyed it. We and the rest of the staff, hope to welcome to back to Hatari some day...
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A great place to start a tour of Tanzania and get in the mood for the country: close to Kilimanjaro International Airport in a very beautiful landscape, cozy and well-kept. The historic lodge under German management is characterized by great commitment to nature and its African neighbors, the excellent cuisine impresses with organically grown, local food, and the tours of the surrounding area are an unforgettable experience. Last but not least: the genuine warmth with which every guest is welcomed and treated in the lodge. You can immediately feel at home here.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Arusha National Park area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
hatari hotel arusha
LOCATION
TanzaniaArusha RegionArusha National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
15
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