Arusha National Park

Best Time to Visit

Dry Season (June to October)

Best For

Mount Meru Trekking

Area

137 km2

Arusha National Park is considered to be the gateway of all the African Safaris. It is found 37 km from Arusha town and is a champion among the most successfully open and magnificent national stops in Tanzania. Spread more than 137 sq. Km of land, this little national park has one of the most overpowering arranged assortments of vegetation in the nation.

Arusha offers a part of the enthralling scenes in Tanzania and varied wildlife. The fantastic Ngurdoto Crater lies in the southeast territory of the national park, the calm Momella Lakes in the north-east while the fifth-most significant zenith of Africa Mount Meru rules the diversion focus’ casing of reference. You can have uncommon points of view of the incomparable Kilimanjaro from Meru’s Peak, which is the perfect warm-up trek before summiting Mount Meru’s subtle cousin of Mount Kilimanjaro.

A Brief History of Arusha National Park

Established in 1960, Arusha National Park was initially created to protect Mount Meru and the surrounding ecosystem. The park covers about 137 square kilometers (53 square miles), making it relatively small compared to other Tanzanian parks. Despite its size, Arusha National Park is remarkably diverse, encompassing several distinct ecosystems:

Ngurdoto Crater – Often referred to as a “mini Ngorongoro,” this caldera is home to lush vegetation and plenty of wildlife.
Momella Lakes – A series of shallow alkaline lakes known for their vibrant flamingo population.
Mount Meru – The second-highest peak in Tanzania at 4,566 meters (14,980 feet), providing stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day.

Best Time to Visit

Dry Season (June to October): Best for game viewing as animals gather around water sources and the vegetation is less dense.
Wet Season (November to May): Ideal for birdwatching and seeing the park’s lush green landscapes. However, some areas might become difficult to access due to muddy trails.

Activities To Do

At Arusha National park you can do an array of activities, listed below are some of them:

Walking safaris
Game drive
Canoeing
Trekking safari
Cultural village tour

What to See

Despite its small size, Arusha National Park is home to an impressive variety of wildlife:

Mammals: Expect to see giraffes, zebras, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and various antelope species. Predators like leopards and hyenas are more elusive but occasionally spotted.
Primates: The park is one of the best places in Tanzania to see black-and-white colobus monkeys swinging through the trees.
Birds: Over 400 bird species have been recorded in the park, including flamingos, crowned eagles, and the Narina trogon.

How To Get There

Safari Van:

It is only 45 min drive time from the Arusha Town.

Flight:

You can take non-stop flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and afterward take a local trip to Arusha Airport.

Tours

Tanzania Tour Packages

Tanzania is a definitive dream safari goal and as of late nominated as the “Best Safari Country in Africa”. With a huge range of encounters coupled together with the nation’s devotion to safeguarding, you can be guaranteed a stunning occasion that will remain with you for eternity.