Hatari! Hotel

Hatari! Lodge is a "luxury bush hotel" situated inside Arusha National Park, one of Africa's largest and most beautiful national parks. Located on the northern edge of the park at a malaria-free altitude above 5,000 ft, it sits nestled between Mount Meru (4,566m) and Mount Kilimanjaro (5,892m) in the protected acacia woodlands near the Momella meadow, offering unspoilt views of lakes, craters, magical rain forests, and the majestic peaks.

About

The lodge was originally built as a private house for actor Hardy Krüger, who fell in love with the area after filming the 1963 John Wayne film "Hatari!" (the hotel takes its name from this film). The farm was first built by the Trappe family in 1907, then leased to Hollywood for filming, and later bought by Hardy Krüger and his manager Jim Mallory. Now in the care of the Gabriel family (Marlies, Jörg, and their staff), the legacy continues with new memories and natural harmony.

Rooms

Hatari Lodge offers 9 extremely comfortably furnished rooms (some sources mention 14 rooms including 2 family villas), each with an open fireplace and spacious en-suite bathroom. All but one room have an open fireplace, beds are large and very comfortable, and bathrooms have huge walk-in showers (two rooms have romantic bathtubs). Rooms are decorated in a retro style evoking the 60s and 70s - the time of "Hatari!" and the beginning of safaris in Tanzania. Family-friendly villas have two en-suite bedrooms, private dining and living space with open fireplace, and viewing decks facing Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.

Dining 

The lodge features a restaurant serving delicious cuisine from the organic farm, with breakfast and lunch served on the veranda with views across the plains to distant Kilimanjaro (if clear). The breakfast terrace is scented with sweet-smelling acacias and flowers, bordering the property and overlooking dramatic scenery. Guests enjoy classic sunsets over the snows of Kilimanjaro from the breakfast terrace and viewing platform onto the Momella swamps.

Wildlife & Views
The lodge offers breathtaking views onto the Momella swamp, rich with wildlife, and across to majestic Kilimanjaro. Guests can enjoy abundant wildlife right on their doorstep with unique combination of forest, crater, and savannah landscapes. The viewing platform and veranda offer impressive close-up views of wildlife, Mt. Meru, Kilimanjaro, and the Momella meadow where elephants, giraffes, and other wildlife can be observed.

Activities

The main activity at Hatari is specialist safaris offering guests a chance to leave the tourist track and experience wilderness firsthand. The lodge offers ethical wildlife encounters, private guiding, and regenerative safari experiences. Activities include game viewing, bush walks, and experiences with the local flora, fauna, and history of Arusha National Park. The lodge is close to Kilimanjaro International Airport, making it ideal for safari starts or ends.