Mount Meru Game Lodge is notable among Arusha’s hotels for its distinguished history. Dating back to the early 1960s, it was originally established as a sanctuary for injured and orphaned animals. As Tanzania’s appeal as a safari destination grew, it soon became a popular stop for moneyed European travelers.

These days, it is run as an upmarket lodge by Intimate Places. Rooms have been modernized, and are mostly spacious and comfortable. Some are in the upper part of the grounds, directly overlooking a large watering hole, around which congregate zebras, kudu and waterbuck (lured by daily feedings from staff), plus ostrich, storks, peacock and many other birds.

On the lower part of the grounds, just back from the highway, is a family suite in the original ‘Andreas Nagy Cottage’. Children will enjoy the nearby small, enclosed area – sort of a ‘petting zoo’, although there is no petting – housing a large number of porcupines, a crocodile, tortoises and several birds.

Dinner and breakfast are served on a covered stone veranda just down from the main house, while inside is a wood-paneled bar and a small gift shop.

Mount Meru Game Lodge is located along the Moshi-Arusha highway in the Usa River area, about halfway between Arusha town and Kilimanjaro National Airport, and just west of the turnoff for Arusha National Park. While it’s too far out of Arusha for those who want to enjoy the town’s shops and other offerings, it offers a convenient stopover for travelers arriving late at Kilimanjaro National Airport. It is also an amenable pre-safari base – its small collection of animals serving as enticement for what is to come.