TANZANIA SAFARIS INFORMATION

ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK

Although its one of Tanzania’s smallest parks, Arusha National Park is one of its most beautiful and topographically varied. Arusha National Park is a multi-faceted jewel, offering the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats. Arusha National Park covers 137sq. kilometers and lies between the peaks of Mountain Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.
The main features are Ngudoto Crater, the Momela lakes and Mt. Meru. Arusha National Park’s most publicises is Mt. Meru, the eastern slopes and 4,566m peak which lie within the par boundaries. The park has a variety of vegetation zones supporting numerous animal species. The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and colourful turacos and trogons – the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen.
The flora and fauna varies with the topography, which ranges from forest to swamp. Further 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 display their large lyre-shaped horns on the watery fringes. Giraffes glide across the grassy hills, between grazing zebra herds, while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart into scrubby bush like overgrown hares on spindly legs.

Tanzania - Arusha National Park Wildlife Safaris Attractions
The park contains a diverse resident population of herbivores, primates and predators including black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, leopards, hyenas, waterbucks, wart hogs and a wide range of antelope species. Although elephants are uncommon in Arusha National Park and lions absent altogether, leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen slinking around in the early morning and late afternoon.
The Momela lakes are particularly interesting for bird watching. Like many in the Rift valley, they are shallow and alkaline and attract a variety of wader birds. While its possible to see much of the park in a day, its better to allow a night or two to appreciate the wildlife and do a walking safari.

Getting There:
An easy 40-minute drive from Arusha. Approximately 60 km (35 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari.

Tanzania Safaris Activities Available in Arusha National Park:
Forest Walks: Everywhere throughout the Park there are chances to observe the natural world at its own pace, to see different animals in there are various habitats and absorb something of the serenity of the surroundings. Everywhere throughout the Park there are chances to observe the natural world at its own pace, to see different animals in there are various habitats and absorb something of the serenity of the surroundings. Those who ascend the summit of the mountain will be rewarded with unparalleled views of the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Rift Valley.

Trekking on Mt. Meru:
Mt.Meru is a spectacular volcanic cone and well worth climbing. A trek to the summit takes you through grassland and lush forest on the lower slopes to an exhilarating walk along the knife edge of the crater rim. The interesting geology of the area is reflected in the impressive view of the ash cone and cliff face leading to the summit of Mt. Meru.
The Arusha and Meru people deify Mount as a rain god. Meru is just as interesting as Kilimanjaro from a biological point of view and you are more likely to see forest animals. A lot of big game can be seen on the lower slopes.

Canoeing: A scenic guided canoeing safari on the Small Momella Lake inside Arusha National Park. Guests canoe their own canoes around the various small bays in the lake finding new adventures around every corner.

When to go
The best time for visiting is during the dry season from July – march. The best months to climb mount are June – February (although there are some rains in November). On clear days magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru can be seen from almost any part of the park. The best views of Mt. Kilimanjaro are from December-February.

Accommodation

Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge:
Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge has some of the best facilities of any lodge or hotel in the Arusha area. Given the hotel’s vast size, the rooms-all en suite with fire places and balcony- posses a surprising amount of character, making use of wrought iron and wood to create a feel that is at once contemporary and ethnic.

Meru View Lodge:
Meru view lodge lies on the eastern side of Usa River, about 1 Km south of where the road enters the National Park.

Momella Wildlife Lodge:
The lodge is set in the shadow of Mount Meru about 3Km past Momella Gate.

Colobus Mountain Lodge:
This relatively new lodge lies in the shadow of Mount Meru immediately outside the southern boundary of the park.

back to top