Welcome to Arusha National Park information. This information will be of great use to you in your preparations to Arusha national park as it will guide you on finding where to stay, safari companies, which activities to get involved in, the park map, getting there and so much more. Arusha National Park covers Mount Meru volcano which sits at an elevation of 4566m in the Arusha Region of northeastern Tanzania.
The park is small but covered with spectacular landscapes in three distinct areas; these include the Meru Crater which funnels the Jekukumia River in the west, the peak of Mount Meru which lies on its rim, the ngurdoto Crater which lies in the south-east and is grassland and finally the shallow alkaline Momella Lakes in the north-east which have varying algal colors and are known for their wading birds.
Arusha National Park lies on a 300-kilometer stretch of Africa’s most famous national parks that runs from Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in the west to Kilimanjaro National Park in the east.
Arusha National Park is just a few kilometers northeast of Arusha though the main gate is 25 km east of the city. From Moshi town it is 58 km and from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) ITS 35 km.
Arusha national park is the nearest national park to Tanzania’s northern safari capital of Arusha. Arusha National Park is an all-around natural gem, commonly overlooked by those on safari although it offers a chance to explore an enthralling diversity of wildlife habitats in a couple of hours.
Into its faint montane forest, you will be in a home to the blue monkeys,the colorful turacos, the trogons and the acrobatic black and white colobus monkeys. As you go deeper into the forest, you will find the beautiful Ngurdoto Crater with steep rocky cliffs that enclose a broad swampy floor scattered with numerous warthogs plus buffaloes.
Heading further to the north are the rolling grass covered hills that enclose the peaceful beauty of the stunning Momela Lakes each with a different shade of blue or green. The shallows of the lakes are at times visited by countless pink flamingos. These lakes support a great diversity of resident plus migrant waterfowl as well as the hairy waterbucks which display their big horns shaped like lyres on the water border. Giraffes move across the grass covered hills, while numerous zebras graze in the fields and pairs of big eyed dik-dik run into the bush using their spindly legs.
Mount Meru dominates the horizon of this park and offers stunning views of its neighboring Mt. Kilimanjaro. Giraffes are seen climbing the mountain before arriving at the open moorland dotted with huge lobelias. The never withering flowers adhere to the alpine desert while the klipspringers blotch the progress of your hike. You will be able to enjoy clear views of Mountain Kilimanjaro as you approach the rocky summit.
Arusha national is home to some elephants, leopards and spotted hyenas which can be seen in the early mornings as well as in the late afternoon. You will not find a lion in Arusha National Park.
Location and size of Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park lies on a 300-kilometre stretch of Africa’s most famous national parks that runs from Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in the west to Kilimanjaro National Park in the east.
Arusha National Park covers Mount Meru volcano which sits at an elevation of 4566m in the Arusha Region of north eastern Tanzania.
How to reach Arusha National Park
Arusha town can be accessed by road from Kilimanjaro International Airport .It is just a few kilometers northeast of Arusha though the main gate is 25 km east of the city. From Moshi town it is 58 km and from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) ITS 35 km.
Arusha National Park Attractions/ Activities
Arusha National park is home to diverse wildlife that includes herbivores such as elephants, hippos, buffalo, zebra, and even the occasional wildebeest, the park is also a perfect place to get out and stretch your legs by taking part in both walking safaris and canoe safaris available within the park.
Below is a list of activities to take part in while in Arusha national park:
Game drives
Walking safaris
Canoe safaris
Picnicking
Climbing Mt. Meru.
Walking and canoe safaris.
What is the best time to visit Arusha National Park?
Arusha national park is best for game viewing during the dry season (from June to October).
The park is excellent for birding all year round but stunning between November and April when migratory birds from Europe and North Africa are present and the local birds have their breeding plumage on display
June to February is the best times to visit to climb Mt Meru although at times it could rain in the month of November. December to February is the best time to view Mountain Kilimanjaro.
Arusha National Park Hotels/Accommodation
Few accommodation options exist in the park and these include two rest houses, two lodges, camp sites and a few mountain huts. However a variety of accommodation options can be found in Arusha town/city and they include Mt.Meru hotel,Arusha Coffee lodge,Dik Dik hotel, Four points by Sheraton, Serena hotel among others.
Arusha National Park Highlights
Arusha National Park is the only park in the northern circuit in which walking safari is possible and most activities in this park can be done in one day.
Diverse wildlife
Arusha national park is home to the largest population of giraffes in Africa. In addition to this the park is home to cape buffaloes, blue monkeys, black and white colubus monkeys, trogons, turacos, leopards,spotted hyenas and water bucks.
The park also boasts an incredibly diverse variety of bird-life, making it a popular stop for birding enthusiasts.
Mt. Meru Hiking
This active volcanic mountain is Africa’s fifth highest mountain that cuts a striking figure at 4,566m (14,990 feet). Mt. Meru is also a popular climbing destination for visitors to Tanzania and a good introductory mountain for those wishing to climb Kilimanjaro. Not only does the climb offer a spectacular view of Kilimanjaro from the summit but the hike itself is also an incredibly rewarding walking safari that takes you through multiple habitats where you can encounter giraffes, elephants and antelopes among others.
Canoeing the Momella Lakes
There are seven shallow lakes of Momella Lakes within Arusha National Park. These include the big Momella, Small Momella, Kusare, Lekandiro, Tulusia, Rishateni, and El Kekhotoito. There are also Alkaline lakes with considerable algae growth and each of these lakes has a different shade of green or blue. The water is these lakes may not be suitable for drinking but it is home to a variety of birds (including flamingoes) and animals such as water bucks, giraffes, zebras, and dik-diks in the surrounding area. Finally the visitors can take part in Canoeing rides on the small Momella Lake.
Ngurdoto Crater
This swampy crater is inhabited by a large variety of animals and is a popular stop for game drives. Visitors can expect to see the Cape Buffalo, elephants, monkeys, baboons, warthogs, and a number of different antelope species.The crater is surrounded by the Ngurdoto Forest, a shady expanse that is home to playful black and white colobus monkeys and nearby is Serengeti Ndogu (the Little Serengeti) and an expansive grassland where herds of zebras can be seen throughout the year.
Ngurdoto Museum
Overlooking the Ngurdoto Forest, the Ngurdoto Museum houses an impressive collection of examples of the various animals, birds, and insects that a visitor can find within the park.
Lake Longil
The only freshwater lake in Arusha National Park, Lake Longil is a popular watering hole for buffaloes and waterbucks.
Tululusia Hill
A former lookout point during tribal wars from Tanzania’s past, Tululusia Hill is today a popular hiking and camping area that affords visitors an excellent view of the lower reaches of the park as well as Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. This heavily forested region of the park is home to elephants, buffalo, colobus monkeys, the red duiker, suni, leopards, and even tree-dwelling pythons.
Fig Tree Arch
A distinctive natural arch formed by a fig tree, this intriguing feature of the landscape has grown into an arch large enough for a car or an elephant to pass under.
