About Mount Meru Game Lodge
Near the turning to Tanzania's Arusha National Park, Mount Meru Game Lodge has been welcoming visitors since 1959.
It's an old-fashioned, family-run lodge with plenty of atmosphere and a fresh new look, set in beautiful, mature gardens where small numbers of resident wildlife freely roam.
This is a charming old place, with great staff and food, that has benefited from considerable recent investment. Located close to both Kilimanjaro International and Arusha Airports, it is makes for a very attractive first or last night for safari travellers on a more modest budget in northern Tanzania, and is particularly well-suited to families.
Our view
This is a charming old place, with great staff and food, that has benefited from considerable recent investment. Located close to both Kilimanjaro International and Arusha Airports, it is makes for a very attractive first or last night for safari travellers on a more modest budget in northern Tanzania, and is particularly well-suited to families.
Accommodation
18 rooms
Children
Fine for all ages.
Open
All year
Traveller reviews of Mount Meru Game Lodge
7 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
Arrived 28 Jun 2024, 1 nights
"Mount Meru Game Lodge & Sanctuary review"
Overall rating: Good
Arrived 14 May 2023, 1 nights
"Mount Meru Game Lodge & Sanctuary review"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 16 Oct 2020, 1 nights
"Warm welcome after a 12 hours travel"
Overall rating: Good
Arrived 10 Oct 2018, 1 nights
"Mount Meru Game Lodge & Sanctuary review"
Overall rating: Average
Arrived 15 Feb 2018, 1 nights
" This is a great place for a overnight stay"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 9 Sep 2015, 1 nights
"Good first stop in Arusha"
Overall rating: Good
Arrived 29 Jul 2008, 1 nights
"Mount Meru Game Lodge & Sanctuary review"
Overall rating: Good














Expert Africa's gallery
When we travel we take lots of photos ourselves to give you a real and un-edited view of the trips. See our 40 pictures of Mount Meru Game Lodge to get the candid view.
View galleryMount Meru Game Lodge: Our full report
Near the turning to Tanzania's Arusha National Park, Mount Meru Game Lodge has been welcoming visitors since 1959.
It's an old-fashioned, family-run lodge with plenty of atmosphere and a fresh new look, set in beautiful, mature gardens where small numbers of resident wildlife freely roam.
On our last stay at Mount Meru Game Lodge in 2018, we were pleasantly surprised with the outcome of the lodge’s extensive renovations. The new owners have clearly carried out a lot of work and the result is clean and more contemporary, without losing any of the lodge's character.
Friendly staff are on hand to greet you in the reception area, which also houses information and photos on the history of the lodge, along with a small curio shop stocked with local fabrics and jewellery.
Among verdant lawns and huge trees, including some enormous candelabra trees, there are 18 rooms in a collection of simple, painted buildings and log cabins, all with green mabati (corrugated iron) roofs.
Although they are all individual in style, each room features large whitewashed, wooden-framed beds and furniture, white linen and polished, red cement floors with rugs and grass mats. The rooms are light and airy, and there's space in most of them for an extra bed, and storage for clothes. The simple, tiled en-suite bathrooms incorporate flush toilets, a powerful shower, and a single basin and mirror. Good-quality towels are provided, as are shower gel and shampoo. Each room has its own small veranda, where you can enjoy a coffee or a drink, although meals and fireside night-caps take place in the main house.
Two of the rooms are in a separate cottage (the Andreas Von Nagy Cottage), and are sold as suites (Mount Meru Suite and Mount Kilimanjaro Suite). They can interconnect and would be suitable for a family. Each suite has a king-size bed and there are twin beds in a room between the two suites, therefore providing three rooms in the suite. The suites also feature fireplaces, armchairs and larger bathrooms than the standard rooms. There are two other cottages with two rooms that are similarly set up for families.
The main house has a bar, lounge and dining room, with a large terrace, shaded by mango trees, overlooking the lawns. Inside, the bar and dining area offer a cosy and welcoming space on chilly evenings, to enjoy a fireside night-cap.
At the end of the property is a pleasant pool area, with good shade, which was proving popular with young families on our last visit. There are sun loungers by the pool, and a various seating areas dotted throughout the grounds.
Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the lodge is the sanctuary's resident game, which includes zebra, buffalo, ostrich and waterbuck, as well as water birds such as saddle-billed storks, yellow-billed storks and egrets, which can be seen especially at the daily afternoon feeding. You can also often see habituated blue monkeys and striking black and white colobus monkeys from your room.
If you're spending some time in Arusha the lodge is well-positioned for various activities. There is a complimentary coffee tour, as well as supplementary activities that the lodge can help to arrange. These include horse-riding, a game of golf on Kili golf course, mountain-biking and canoeing in Arusha National Park, market visits and a tour of a flower farm.
Geographics
- Location
- Arusha, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- One or two nights, depending on whether you plan on doing any Arusha based activities.
- Directions
- On the Usa River, about 20 minutes' drive east of Arusha town. The lodge is about 40 mins drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Bed & Breakfast
- Food quality
- We were impressed by the quality and variety of the food served at the lodge. Breakfast is served as a buffet with a selection of cereals, fruit, bread, cold meat and cheese, with hot breakfasts cooked to order. Lunch is from an à la carte menu and offers a selection of lighter meals and snacks such as sandwiches and burgers. Dinner is either a buffet or set menu, depending on how busy the lodge is. On our stay in 2018 we enjoyed a delicious chicken curry. The lodge has a pizza oven and this was also proving a popular choice with other diners. A children's menu is available, and those with special dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.
- Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Dinner is often served on the outdoor dining terrace, overlooking the lawn. There is a firepit which is lit in cooler weather, and a cosy inside dining room.
- Drinks included
- Drinks are extra, and are payable on departure. Guests are provided with filtered drinking water.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children are welcome
- Property’s age restrictions
- Children of any age are welcome.
- Special activities & services
- The restaurant offers a children’s menu.
- Equipment
- There was limited special equipment available when we visited, but the owners are planning to improve the overall level of service and facilities.
- Generally recommended for children
- Yes
- Notes
- Good for children of all ages with correct supervision. There is plenty of shade and space to run around. The pool area is perfect for families.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Mount Meru Game Lodge
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Mount Meru Game Lodge have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

100% success

100% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There's a back-up generator for 24-hour power.
- Communications
- The cellphone signal is good and there is free WiFi throughout.
- TV & radio
- There is a TV in the bar.
- Water supply
- Other
- Water supply notes
- Water is sourced from a natural spring. The rooms have flush toilets and plumbed in showers.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The lodge has a first-aid kit and clinics and hospitals are available nearby in Usa River and Arusha.
- Dangerous animals
- Moderate Risk
- Security measures
- The lodge is gated. Askaris (guards) patrol the grounds.
- Fire safety
- Fire extinguishers are installed near all the rooms.
Activities
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry service is available at a small extra cost.
- Money
- There are electric safe deposit boxes in the bedrooms. The lodge offers a limited currency exchange service.
- Accepted payment on location
- MasterCard, Visa and Amex credit cards are all accepted, with a 5% charge.
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Mount Meru Game Lodge's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Mount Meru Game Lodge.
Excursions from Mount Meru Game Lodge
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Mount Meru Game Lodge. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.

Day Hike on Mount Kilimanjaro
Full day
Experience Africa’s highest mountain – in just a day. In the company of a private guide, hike through the forests of Mount Kilimanjaro’s western side to an altitude of 3,400m. From here, explore the Shira Plateau and its surroundings, perhaps spotting wildlife along the way.
More about Kilimanjaro Day Hike
Safari in Arusha National Park
Half day or full day
Arusha National Park offers some lovely walking in the foothills of Mount Meru and canoeing on the Momela Lakes, plus gentle game drives.
More about Safari in Arusha NPOther lodges in Arusha
Alternative places to stay in this same area.

Rivertrees Country Inn
Set within lush grounds, the peaceful and relaxing Rivertrees lies between Arusha and Kilimanjaro Airport: ideal at the beginning or end of a safari.

Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge is a neat, comfortable lodge, right on the highway, close to Arusha Airport. It is a convenient stop for a night.

Onsea House
Onsea House is a small, family-run guesthouse on the outskirts of Arusha. The rooms are quite simple, but service and food here are good.

Katambuga House
Katambuga House is a smart hotel on the western side of Arusha, an hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro Airport and 10 minutes from Arusha Airport.

Airport Planet Lodge
Airport Planet Lodge is a new hotel located close to Kilimanjaro Airport, making it ideal for a short stay before or after your international flight.

Machweo
Machweo is a nine-room lodge on the outskirts of Arusha. The rooms are large and stylish, and the service and food here are very good.

Kia Lodge
Kia Lodge is a simple, country-club-style lodge situated close to the buildings and runway of Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Hatari Lodge
Hatari Lodge is designed around a bright, fun 1960s retro theme and is a relatively high-quality base to explore Arusha National Park.

Hamerkop House
Located halfway between Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha, Hamerkop House is a small, peaceful stop either at the beginning or end of a safari.

Legendary Lodge
Legendary Lodge is boutique luxury lodge, perfect for an indulgent overnight stay at the start or end of your safari.

Arusha Serena Hotel
The Serena Arusha Hotel is a comfortable hotel close to Lake Duluti. It makes a good stopover before or after a safari in northern Tanzania.

Twiga Lodge
Twiga is a Tudor-style lodge with welcoming owners, country-style gardens and a viewing platform looking onto Arusha National Park.

Siringit
Siringit Kilimanjaro Golf Safari Retreat is a six-bedroom villa offering a luxury stay in complete privacy on a championship golf course.
When to go to Arusha
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Mount Meru Game Lodge in Arusha
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Tanzania in January
January usually marks the start of the short dry season, although the exact timings of this are a little unpredictable. You can expect clear blue skies and sunshine, if the short rains have stopped, and the temperatures will be building. The short dry season is a little less pronounced in Southern Tanzania, and so it can still be wet in these areas. It is an interesting time for avians as resident birds go into breeding plumage and migrant species can be present.
Once the New Year busy period has quietened down, January can offer great value and quieter parks, although the weather can be variable, and in the Selous and Ruaha the wildlife is more dispersed.
- Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
- Occasional thunderstorms may occur.
- A good time of year for birding as and many migrant species are around
- The wildebeest migration is gathering in the southern Serengeti.
- Busy in early January, quietening down through the month.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in January
Tanzania in February
February is during the short dry season and is one of the hottest months in Tanzania, with temperatures reaching around 33°Celsius. This can be a good time to visit, as some areas of the Northern Circuit are comparatively quieter than during the European summer months, and lodge rates are also a little lower.
The wildebeest will typically be on the southern plains of the Serengeti for their calving season, which tends to occur in a 2-3 week window in early-mid February – although this does vary year on year. This is also a particularly rewarding time for birdlife, as northern hemisphere migrants join the resident species.
- Hot and dry weather.
- Wildebeest migration calving on Serengeti’s southern plains.
- Ngorongoro Crater and southern Serengeti busy for the migration.
- Selous and Ruaha are typically quiet at this time.
- The parks are likely to be lush and green, leading to pretty landscape
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in February
Tanzania in March
The heavier ‘long rains’ start in earnest in March although exactly when varies year on year. With no need to stay close to permanent water sources, migratory wildlife disperses, and so game viewing starts to become more challenging. This is most prominently seen in Tarangire National Park. The wildebeest migration may still be calving, or have moved on into the central regions of the Serengeti.
Many of the camps in the southern parks close mid March and mobile tented camps in the Serengeti will wind down towards the end of the month in order to move location or carry out refurbishments, ready for the new tourist season.
- Hot with building humidity, before the rains begin at some point.
- Wildlife viewing is variable depending on the start of the rains.
- Parks are quiet and rates are low.
- Not great for southern or western Tanzania.
- March can be a good time for birding, with many migrant species.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in March
Tanzania in April
April is in the middle of the long rainy season and is the wettest month, with on average 250mm of rain. Temperatures are fairly high and humid in comparison to the rest of the year. Expect the bush to be lush and flowering, and alive with insects, birds and smaller animals. It is however also dense, allowing wildlife to hide, which in turn makes game viewing harder. This is a very quiet time in terms of visitor numbers.
Many of the tented camps are closed in April, however the larger lodges remain open. The rates are significantly cheaper, and so if you are willing to work harder to spot the bigger game, some accommodation bargains can be had.
- Heavy rain expected, with impressive thunderstorms and lightning.
- Many camps closed and roads impassable due to ground conditions.
- Rates are at their lowest all year round, with very few other tourists
- Places that are open are green and vibrant, wildlife more dispersed.
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in April
Tanzania in May
As Tanzania is close to the equator there is no dramatic difference in climate throughout the year, but temperatures do start to drop a little in May. The rains are likely to still be present, although potentially clearing towards the end of the month. Visitor numbers and lodge rates are still low. The wildebeest migration is making its way through the western regions of the Serengeti, crossing the Grumeti River.
Virtually all camps in southern Tanzania remain closed, and many of the roads and tracks in the Selous become impassable.
- Heavy rains and storms are likely, this can create some dramatic skies
- Blissfully quiet in northern Tanzania, and a good time to avoid crowds
- The parks are likely to look lush and green, with long grass.
- Wildlife is likely to be more dispersed, with fewer sightings.
- The low prices make safaris much more affordable at this time.
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in May
Tanzania in June
The rains come to an end at some point during the month and migratory wildlife begins to be drawn back to perennial water sources as the land starts to dry up. It’s likely that the parks will still be quite green and the grass high though, so walking and fly-camping may be unlikely. This marks the start of the season with camps reopening, but prices are still more affordable than the subsequent months.
The migration may still be in the Western Corridor, or on the move northwards towards the Mara River. Western Tanzania presents more challenging conditions for chimpanzee trekking in Mahale National Park, as the chimps are higher in the mountains.
- Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
- A transitory time for the migration – moving from west to north.
- The parks may still be quite green, and grasses high.
- Wildlife may be dispersed still.
- Relatively low visitor numbers and good value, shoulder season prices.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in June
Tanzania in July
July is considered to be the start of the peak season, with no rainfall expected and pleasant daytime temperatures. As the parks dry, the wildlife congregates in fewer areas, grass is eaten and trampled by the migration, and game viewing gets better and better. The wildebeest are typically arriving in the northern Serengeti, ready to begin their period of crossings of the Mara River.
In the Selous and Ruaha wildlife sightings can be fantastic, with animals gathering around the lakes and rivers. Great conditions and school holidays mean the parks are at their busiest, with Ngorongoro and the Serengeti particularly crowded.
- Dry and warm daytimes, chilly and windy in the mornings and evenings.
- Great wildlife viewing, as water sources diminish.
- The most popular time of year with very high visitor numbers.
- Prices are at their highest due to the great conditions on the ground.
- To avoid the crowds consider Tanzania’s southern parks.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in July
Tanzania in August
August is the middle of the long dry season, with clear skies and sunny weather. You can expect some cooler weather at night and first thing in the morning. Remember to pack layered clothing, so you can wrap up warm on your early morning game drives, but remain comfortable as it heats up throughout the day.
August is a very popular time to visit, so accommodation prices are at their highest and advanced booking is necessary. It can get noticeably busier in some of the northern parks – in particular the Ngorongoro Crater and northern Serengeti, as visitors flock to the area in hope of witnessing an exciting migration river crossing.
- Dry and warm daytimes, chilly in the early mornings and evenings.
- General wildlife viewing should be excellent.
- An exciting time of year for the wildebeest migration.
- Certain areas will be very busy and camps fill up fast.
- Great wildlife sightings in the Selous and Ruaha, and fewer people.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in August
Tanzania in September
September can be an excellent time of year to visit Tanzania. As the parks continue to dry up the wildlife becomes increasingly reliant on the remaining water sources, leading to high densities of animals. Whilst early September can be busy, with fewer families traveling at this time the parks typically become quieter as the month goes on.
You are still likely to see the wildebeest migration in the northern Serengeti, with river crossings occurring on a regular basis. Tanzania’s southern parks are also fantastic at this time of year, generally receiving far fewer visitors than the north, and wildlife sightings can be great. Prices remain high and the weather generally remains good.
- Wildlife viewing in September can be fantastic.
- Whilst still fairly busy, often the parks are typically a little quiet
- The parks will start to become very dry, with little new vegetation
- Cooler mornings and evenings, warming up during the day.
- Prices remain high.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in September
Tanzania in October
At the tail end of the dry season, the wildlife should be the easiest to spot, although photographers should be aware that it can be a bit dusty at this time of year, as there has been no rain for several months. Great general wildlife viewing throughout as animals are attracted to remaining sources of water. Elephant numbers are particularly high at this time in Tarangire, and Mahale and Katavi are especially rewarding with frequent wildlife sightings close to camp.
There is a chance of rainfall towards the end of the month, if the short rains commence. While prices remain high, visitors numbers are significantly lower than in July-August.
- Mostly dry and temperatures comfortably warm, with the chance of storm
- Great game viewing although the landscape can be a bit barren.
- Much lower visitor numbers than the earlier months.
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in October
Tanzania in November
In November you can expect the start of the short rains, although the start date varies every year. The rains are highly localised, and are much lighter and more unpredictable than the long rains that occur earlier in the year. These should not really interfere with your safari – as the game viewing at this time is still good - but you should pack a waterproof jacket and be prepared for some short rain showers!
The majority of tented camps remain open, but some of the mobile camps in Northern Tanzania will close for the latter half on the month. Given the seasonality, camps are charging shoulder season rates so there are often some bargains to be had. Early November can offer great value for money and the weather conditions are likely to be comparable to late October.
- Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
- Parks are comparatively quiet and prices at the lower end.
- Some camps will close towards the end of the month for maintenance.
- Good wildlife sightings, but animals will disperse when rain starts
- The wildebeest migration is on the move and the location unpredictable
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in November
Tanzania in December
December is also during the short rainy period, but this does not stop Tanzania being a popular destination to spend the festive period. Be aware that many of the lodges book up early, and charge peak rates over this time. Advanced booking is essential over this period, especially if travelling in larger family groups.
Travelling in December outside of the festive period allows travellers to make use of excellent shoulder season rates. Temperatures are pleasant with the averages of 27Celsius, although there is the chance of intermittent thunderstorms.
- Variable weather:clear & dry or cloudy with some rain and thunderstorm
- Good general game viewing in parks with low seasonality - Serengeti.
- Very quiet early in the month, becoming exceptionally busy.
- Prices reflect this – great value rising to the highest they are.
- The wildlife in southern Tanzania is more dispersed.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in December

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