Arusha National Park

Only 32 km from Arusha town, there is a little gem that deserves your attention: As well as game drives Arusha National Park offers the rare opportunity of a walking safari within its borders accompanied by an armed ranger plus canoeing on one of its lakes. On clear days magnificent views of Mt. Kilimanjaro can be enjoyed from almost any part of the park.

Despite its small size, 137km, it has a great diversity of landscapes ranging from mountain rainforest to open savannah, acacia woodland, alkaline lakes, a volcanic crater and it even hosts Africa’s fifth highest mountain, Mt. Meru.

This diversity makes the park an ideal breeding ground for a rich variety of flora and fauna. There are numerous elephant, giraffe, hyena, zebra and a wide range of antelope species, throughout the park. Hippos, flamingos and pelicans live in the lakes. In the rainforest areas you will come across black and white monkeys, swinging from tree to tree and occasionally a leopard can be spotted hiding among the branches. The park is also famous for its 400 species of birdlife, both migrant and resident, such as Silvery-Cheeked Hornbill, Peregrine Falcon, Crowned Eagle, Hammerhead stork, Grey Parrots, Secretary Birds and the Egyptian Vulture.

The most important features of the park are Mt. Meru, the Ngurdoto Volcano Crater and the Momela Lakes.

Mount Meru rises proudly in the center of the park. Walking through its forest and climbing up to its summit offers very scenic views. Its routes are easier to climb than Kilimanjaro’s, requiring less acclimatization. The climb can be done in 3 to 4 days. If you are interested in climbing Mt. Meru, you can find extended information on our “Mt Climbing & Action” page.

Ngurdoto is a fully intact 3km wide crater, with a 400m deep volcanic caldera often described as a miniature Ngorongoro. Entrance to the crater is not permitted but the view of grazing animals from the rim down to the crater is spectacular.

The Momella Lakes are shallow alkaline lakes, which are basically fed by underground streams. Each has a slightly different mineral content, creating different colourings on their surface. It’s really worth canoeing around one of the lakes. This is a peaceful way to get closer to the birds and excellent for photography.

The park can be visited all year round and it is possible to see most of it on a day excursion from Arusha Town. If you wish to stay longer, accommodation in beautiful lodges within the park can be arranged. This place is a fantastic way to begin your Tanzanian northern circuit safari. Have a look at our itineraries and if you prefer another combination of places and activities, contact us and we will be happy to design a custom made program for you.

For safaris to Arusha National Park you can contact us either by filling in the booking form or by email at info@activetanzania.com or if you prefer, call us on +255 784 605 785. We will be happy to hear from you.