Hatari Lodge Hatari Suites

A full day activity starting from Shu‘mata Camp or Hatari Lodge in the open caron with a relaxing 2,5 hours drive right to Mount Kilimanjaro up to a height of 3.400 metres. We cross different climate- and vegetations zones: region of the steppes, lush greens on the entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park and finally alpine scenery. Our goal is the Shira Plateau at the level of 4.000 metres. When the clouds open, we enjoy a magnificent view of the immediate summit of Kilimanjaro. We hike for about one hour on the designated Shira Day Trial through grass, heather and moorland landscapes with up to 10 metres high groundsel herbs. Eland antelopes, the biggest antelopes of Africa will cross our way on the mountains cliffs. A colobus monkey swings through the branches and we see buffaloes. With a little luck even elephants. On the way we stop for a picknick-lunch on the vast plains of the plateau and enjoy the wonderful views of the summit of the highest mountain in Africa.

The Momella Lakes, located at 1,400 meters in the northeastern part of Arusha National Park, are surrounded by lush hills, bush savanna, and acacias. Formed in volcanic hollows from Mount Meru's last eruption, these seven lakes, spanning 4 km², include the Big and Small Momella Lakes. The Small Momella Lake, rich in alkali, attracts vibrant flamingos. On this tour, you'll visit these volcanic lakes, where flamingos soar above hippos and giraffes, and bushbuck, dik-diks, and warthogs shyly emerge from the tall grass of the vast savanna.

The highest point of Arusha National Park is Mount Meru, standing at 4,566 m above sea level. It is the fourth-highest mountain in Africa and the second-highest in Tanzania. During chilly months, its peak is sometimes snowcapped. The steep crater edge, of which only half remains, marks the park's western border. Now an extinct volcano, except for a few steam vents, Mount Meru offers unique scenery for nature and climbing enthusiasts. Its open cone harbors a mountain rainforest with swept becks, refreshing waterfalls, and jungle giants entwined with lianas. Climbing Mount Meru takes you through three distinct vegetation zones: savannah, forest, and dense jungle reminiscent of "Lord of the Rings" landscapes. With the changing flora comes shifting wildlife. At Kitoto Viewpoint (2,500 m), an armed ranger escorts guests on a final hike into the crater. After two hours, guests return downhill to enjoy a traditional picnic by a picturesque waterfall. A short walk then leads to Tululusia Waterfall, its spray offering a cool and refreshing escape.

The Ngurdoto Crater is also known as “Little Ngorongoro Crater”. This beautiful part of the park looks like a stranded Ark in the middle of a jungle. You are driven around the Ngurdoto Crater, which has a diameter of 2,5 km, over a steep mountain line. From the crater edge you have an amazing view past tree giants, lianas and strangler figs into the crater. More than half of the crater ground is covered by swamps. The Ngurdoto Crater is famous for its animals. We will drive to the crater to meet our ranger. We descent down the slopes onto the crater floor on foot where we find a unique jungle landscape. Leaving the rain forest wide open meadows arrange themselves in front of our eyes. We come across islands of huge papyrus in lakes hiding buffaloes and warthogs.

We provide a walking safari through Arusha National Park to the sparkling waters of the Tululusia waterfalls. We start our walking safari at the momella gate. Together with an armed ranger we go deeper and deeper into this mountain rain forest. We pass a clearing with buffaloes. Further on you may see colobus monkeys in the branches of the trees or little bushbucks whizzing through the thicket. Reaching Tululusia waterfalls it's time for a rest. Enjoy the refreshing water playing around your feet! After this relaxing break we return home. Exotic twittering birds accompany our walk with their joyful singing. We arrive at momella gate again where we will be picked up by a Hatari representative and return to the lodge.