Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park, located in close proximity to Arusha town, the safari capital of northern Tanzania, is a multifaceted gem that is often overlooked by safari enthusiasts. Despite this, the park offers a captivating array of habitats that can be explored within a few hours.

This is the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey can be easily spotted. The forest is also home to the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, which is surrounded by steep, rocky cliffs and a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalo and warthog.

Further north, rolling grassy hills enclose the tranquil beauty of the Momela Lakes, each one a different hue of green or blue. The lakes are sometimes tinged pink with thousands of flamingos and support a rich selection of resident and migrant waterfowl. Giraffes and grazing zebra herds can be seen gliding across the grassy hills, while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart into scrubby bush like overgrown hares on spindly legs.

Although elephants are uncommon in Arusha National Park, and lions are absent altogether, leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen slinking around in the early morning and late afternoon. It is also at dusk and dawn that the veil of cloud on the eastern horizon is most likely to clear, revealing the majestic snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro, which are only 50km (30 miles) distant.

However, it is Mount Meru, Kilimanjaro’s unassuming cousin, that dominates the park’s horizon. As the fifth highest peak in Africa at 4,566 meters (14,990 feet), its peaks and eastern footslopes are protected within the national park. Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbor and is also a rewarding hiking destination in its own right.

About Arusha National Park

Size: 552 sq km 212 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, northeast of Arusha town..

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.
NOTE: Mountain Climbing Permits duration time is 12 HOURS.