Arusha National Park

Covering about 552 square kilometers, the Arusha National Park is the closest national park to Arusha town. It is situated at around 30km from Arusha and almost 32km from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), yet it is generally overlooked by travelers going for a safari in the northern circuit. Most of our trips and safari itineraries will either begin from this park or end up in this park. So, please contact one of our Safari planners for more details about our safari itineraries and price.

Even though the park is smaller in size, it is definitely not so when it comes to the surprises it has in store for the visitors. In the west, you can find Meru Crater, the origin of the Jekukumia River. Mount Meru lies on the edge of this river, whereas the Ngurdoto Crater exists on the southeast and the blue-green alkaline Momella Lakes lie in the northeast, the Flamingos are the star attraction there.

Walking at Arusha National Park

Going for an Arusha National Park walking safari is the ideal way to spend your day in Arusha. There are three main zones, all of them unique and you can cover each of these in a short amount of time. We recommend a full day, though, complete with a picnic lunch and a guided walk for maximum recreation. Magnificent greenery, with Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro towers in the background – the views are absolutely exceptional!

Animals at Arusha National Park

Although you won’t spot lions here, the sheer variety of flora and fauna will keep you from being disappointed. Buffaloes, Giraffes, Elephants, Zebras, warthogs, and dik-diks are just a few of them. As you keep moving toward Africa’s second highest mountain, you will find many species of primates. These include; black and white Colobus monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Snow-white Baboons, etc. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for tiny duiker as the montane forests get denser!

Giraffe lovers will get many chances to spot them in the thick forests of Mount Meru. There is also a chance to spot Cape Buffaloes and a leopard or two, depending on the time. Heading east, you will reach the Ngurdoto Crater that extends across 3 kilometers and is actually an old volcano. There are plenty of great points at crater for some fantastic pictures of the elephants, warthogs, and buffaloes roaming in the marshes down below.

Birds at Arusha National Park

Bird watchers coming here to watch Eurasian migrants will be rewarded with the sights between October and April. There are close to 400 species like grey parrots, starlings, trogons, woodpeckers, secretary birds, etc. that you can surely spot during your day trip at Arusha National Park, Tanzania. Venturing toward Momella Lakes will provide a unique experience of a canoe safari. You will be able to gaze at waterfowl like herons, flamingos, spur winged geese, hamerkop, proceeds to name a few.

Day 1 Arusha – Arusha National Park

In the morning, we will collect you from your hotel in Arusha and take you to the Arusha National Park. The park has an incredible variety of fauna and flora, which cannot fail to impress. Hollywood also chose this region to film the movie “Hatari” in which Hardy Kruger starred alongside the legendary John Wayne. Your day trip will include a visit to the Ngurdo Crater. Buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, warthogs, zebras and baboons can be seen all year round as well as many different bird species. At the Momella Gate, an armed ranger will be waiting for you to accompany you on your walking safari that will give you the chance to experience the wildlife up-close. Only a few other national parks in Tanzania give you such an opportunity and it is something that should not be missed. Lunch will be taken at a picnic place and in the afternoon, you will continue your tour in the safari vehicle through the Arusha National Park. After plenty of time allocated for you to observe the wildlife, we will take you back to Arusha.