Arusha National Park is a compact yet diverse protected area in northern Tanzania, located just 45 minutes from Arusha city and near Kilimanjaro International Airport . Covering approximately 137 square kilometers, the park encompasses varied landscapes, including the forested slopes of Mount Meru, the Ngurdoto Crater, and the Momella Lakes.
The park's diverse habitats support a wide range of wildlife. Visitors can observe species such as giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and various antelopes . Primates like blue monkeys, baboons, and the distinctive black-and-white colobus monkeys are also present . While large predators are rare, leopards and hyenas inhabit the area.
Arusha National Park offers unique activities, including walking safaris, canoeing on the Momella Lakes, and climbing Mount Meru, Tanzania's second-highest peak. Its proximity to Arusha makes it an ideal destination for day trips or as a starting point for exploring Tanzania's northern safari circuit.
Size:
552 sq km (212 sq miles).
Location:
Northern Tanzania, between Arusha and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Getting to:
A 45 minute drive from Arusha or one hour from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Things to do:
Forest walks, Picnicking, Canoe safaris, Mountain climbing and hiking, Bird and animal watching, Monkey trekking.
Best time to visit:
It is best to climb Mt Meru between June and February, although it tends to rain in November. Best views of Kilimanjaro are between December and February.
Why should you visit?
Arusha National Park is one of the most diverse parks topographically. At dusk and dawn the majestic snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro, only 50km (30 mi) distant, are easily seen but it is Kilimanjaro’s unassuming cousin, Mount Meru – the fifth highest in Africa at 4,566 metres (14,990 feet) – that dominates the park’s horizon.
Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbour, while also forming a rewarding hiking destination in its own right. To the north, rolling grassy hills enclose the tranquil beauty of the Momela Lakes, each one a different hue of green or blue. Their shallows sometimes tinged pink with thousands of flamingos, the lakes support a rich selection of resident and migrant waterfowl, and shaggy waterbucks are also present.
Giraffes and zebra herds intermingle while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart around. Also present is Ngurdoto Crater, where wildlife is also abundant.