Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is situated about 25 kilometers east of Arusha, 35 kilometers from Kilimanjaro international airport and 58 kilometers from Moshi in northern Tanzania. The park is well-known for being a home to the second highest mountain in Tanzania, Mount Meru and the world’s largest giraffe population. Arusha National Park covers an area of 137 square kilometers, including features like Ngurdoto crater and Mount Meru. The protected area was established in 1960 as Ngurdoto crater National Park, later in 1967 it was renamed to Arusha National Park. The name Arusha was derived from local Warusha people who used to live in this area. Arusha national park offers many tourist facilities like picnic sites, camping sites, and lodges which allows visitors to feel more at ease when visiting the park. Additionally, the park is about a 1.5-hour drive, roughly 148 kilometers away, from Tarangire National Park.
History
The history of Arusha National Park begins with the Rwa people, who were the first to live in the area long before outside explorers or colonizers arrived. In 1876, a Hungarian explorer named Count Teleki visited the region around Momella, one of the park’s main spots. He noted that there were many hippopotamuses and black rhinos there at the time.
In 1907, a British family called the Trappes moved into the area during the time when Tanganyika was under British control. They farmed in Momella and kept cattle there. Mrs. Trappe, who was the first woman professional hunter in East Africa, donated a large part of their estate to create a game reserve. This land later became part of Arusha National Park when it was officially established in 1960.
At first, the park was called Ngurdoto Crater National Park and only covered a small area around the Ngurdoto Crater, without including Mount Meru. In 1967, the park’s name changed to Arusha National Park after Mount Meru was added to protect more of the land. The name “Arusha” comes from the Waarusha people who lived in the western part of the region. After Tanzania gained independence, the park was officially recognized, and Mount Meru.
Discover Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is situated in the Northern part of Tanzania, sitting at an elevation of about 4,566 meters above the sea level in the Arusha region. The park was established in 1960 mainly to protect and preserve its wildlife. It covers 137 square kilometers and the Tanzania National Park Authority is managing it, which is a government organization that has a responsibility of protecting all the national parks.
Arusha National Park Safaris
The park is located close to Arusha town, making it convenient for visitors. It offers a variety of interesting sights to see all year round, making it a great choice for tourists who are staying nearby and want to experience Tanzanian wildlife without taking along trip. Some of the attractions in Arusha town include, among others, the Ngurdoto crater, Mount Meru, the Momella Lake, and, of course, several wild animal species that roam the park. Today, I’ll share the attractions that you can explore while in Arusha for the most wonderful safari experience. There’s a lot of excitement and wonder that comes with exploring the safari.
1 Day Arusha National Park Safari Tour
3 Days Mountain Meru Hiking safari
4 Days Arusha National Park Ride Safari
Activities to Do in Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is located near the town of Arusha n Tanzania. The park was created to include Mount Meru, which is the second-highest mountain in the area after Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Meru reaches 4,566 meters above sea level. The park was stablished in 1960 and covers an area of 137 square kilometres. It is managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). Volcanic activities during Mount Meru’s recent eruption helped the beautiful landscapes and scenery inside the park. The park is only 60 kilometres from Mount Kilimanjaro, which provides the park’s eastern background. The distance between Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha National Park is 35 kilometres for the former and 58 kilometres for the latter. Because of its close proximity, visitors have many lodging options, from luxury hotels to budget accommodations and hostels. Arusha National Park is especially known for having the highest number of giraffes in the region.
Birdwatching:
Arusha National Park is a great place for bird lovers and nature fans. There’s plenty to see and enjoy while you’re out birdwatching. The park is home to more than 400 different kinds of birds, including both seasonal visitors and birds that stay all year round. Some of the most well-known birds you might spot include Flamingos, Cinnamon chested bee-eater, Great crested grebe, African fish eagle, Peregrine falcon, Verreaux’s eagle, Black saw-wing, African olive pigeon, Hartaub’s turaco, Egyptian goose, Red –fronted parrot, Tawny eagle, Narina trogon, Bearded vulture, scaly francolin, Bar-tailed trogon, silvery cheeked hornbill, yellow billed storks, white browed coucals, red billed oxpeckers and bronzy sunbirds among others.
Canoeing:
Canoeing is a popular activity at Arusha National Park done on the beautiful Momella lakes. Visitors paddle gently through the calm shallow waters, enjoying the peaceful surrounding. While on your canoeing safaris, you’ll have an added opportunity to spot different wildlife such as buffaloes and bucks in the open landscape. Hippos and water birds are also often seen in the lake. Canoe trips at Arusha National Park typically last for about 2-3 hours. Alternatively, tourists can opt for the traditional safari experience.
Game viewing:
Game viewing is one of the most popular activities done in Arusha National Park. During game drive, you will drive along different tracks in various parts of the park, looking for animals. you might see animals like dik- dik, waterbucks, bush bucks, duikers, Cape buffalo, elephant, Warthog, bush pigs. Some times, you may also spot predators like hyenas, leopards and lions, though they are rare to see. While on your game viewing safaris, you can also find primates like Black and white colobus and blue monkeys around the Ngurdoto museum. The roads leading to Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater give you chances to see hippos in the water and other animals gathering along the shores.
Climbing Mount Meru:
Mount Meru is the second highest mountain in Tanzania at a height of 4,566 meters above sea level dominating Arusha national park’s horizon. Mount Meru is an active, but dormant volcano and known for its huge cliffs and green surroundings at the foot. From the top, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the park’s plains, Momella Lakes, and Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbing Mount Meru is a bit challenging and requires more technical skills of its climber. The mountain can be climbed for 3 or 4 days however it is not often climbed thus giving climbers more private experience.
Nature walk:
Nature walks is one of the popular tourism activities within the park. The park offers walking safaris which are accompanied by park rangers. This exciting safari takes you to walk through various forests and savannah while observing different wildlife species like colobus monkeys and a huge population of giraffes. While on your nature walk tour, you’ll have a great opportunity to spot birdlife, animals’ species, stunning flowering plants and insects. On the slopes of Mount Meru is surrounded by waterfalls, lakes and green forests. One of the highlights on a walking safari is walking up to the top of Tululusia Hill, a lookout point during Tanzania’s tribal wars. From the hilltop, you can enjoy wide, beautiful views of the lower parts of Arusha National Park.
Attractions in Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is gifted with variety of attractions ranging from wildlife inhabiting the wilderness to craters and mountain peaks.
Vegetation:
The vegetation in Arusha National Park is characterized by different vegetation types. The lower parts are mainly made up of savannah vegetation, which has open grassy area mixed with acacia woodlands. The region provides habitat for many herbivores and are scattered with shrubs like whistling thorns (Acacia drepanolobium). As you go higher up Mount Meru, the vegetation changes to montane forest, filled with trees like podocarpus, olive trees, fig trees, and juniper. The forest is lush, moist, and home to epiphytic plants like orchids and mosses. Further up, the Lower montane forests have both evergreen and deciduous trees. Near Ngurdoto crater, the area features tropical vegetation characterized by marshes, swamps, and grassy areas surrounded by forested slopes. The Momella lakes are covered by wetlands and swampy vegetation. The fringes of the lakes have tall grasses and aquatic plants like papyrus. On high slopes of Mount Meru, the vegetation becomes alpine, consisting of tough shrubs, heathers, and grasses. In this zone, you can find unique plants like giant lobelias and groundsels adapted to the harsh conditions.
Wildlife:
Arusha National Park has a simple landscape with a few different types of animals. the park is known for having the world’s largest giraffe population. Other wild animals include; elephant, Cape buffalo, Warthog, bush pigs, waterbucks, bush bucks, duikers, dik- dik, spotted hyenas, leopards and lions. Black and white colobus and blue monkeys are residents in the park. The park is a home to 400 bird species and these include endemics, forest and migratory species. Some of these species include; Flamingos, Red-chested Flufftail, Grey Crowned Crane, Common Ostrich, White-faced Whistling Duck, Egyptian Goose, Northern Shoveler, Red-billed Teal, White-backed Duck, Helmeted Guineafowl, Crested Guineafowl, Hildebrandt’s Francolin, Red-necked Spurfowl, Crested Francolin, Great Crested Grebe, African Olive Pigeon, Mourning Collared Dove, African Green Pigeon, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, European Nightjar, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Mottled Spine tailed Swift, White-browed Coucal, Yellowbill, African Rail, Allen’s Gallinule, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Yellow-billed Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, Great White Pelican, Hamerkop, White-backed Night Heron, Black-headed Heron, Great Egret and African Spoonbill among others.
Ngurudoto crater:
Ngurudoto Crater is one of five stunning volcanic calderas found in northern Tanzania’s Arusha region. It’s similar to the more famous Ngorongoro, Maasai, Empakaai, and Olmoti craters. The crater is about 300 meters deep and 3.2 kilometers across. The floor inside Ngurudoto is softer and not suitable for vehicles, so visitors usually explore it on foot through walking safaris. Around the edge of the crater, there is a lush rainforest full of wildlife, making it a wonderful place to experience nature.
The “Uwanja wa mbogo” (Buffalos Glade):
Uwanja wa mbogo, also known as Buffalos Glade isa natural open glade consisting of marsh, bushes and Streams. It attracts animals such as Buffalos, Warthogs and Giraffes. During the day, buffalos and warthogs usually graze quietly, rest, and sometimes roll around in the muddy holes they find there. Giraffes are also often seen wandering through the area.
Serengeti Ndogo:
The name which means “Little Serengeti”, describes the open grassland, a place in the park where various animals in large numbers can easily be seen such as elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Zebras, Warthogs, Waterbucks among others. It is the first attraction that you would see if entering the park using the Ngongongare gate especially if using the road to Momela. It is one of the few places inside the park where you would find an open grassland and its larger size and presence of animals is more than enough to give you that feel of being in Serengeti plains.
Mount Meru:
Mount Meru is an inactive volcano situated 70 kilometres west of Kilimanjaro in southeast Arusha Region, Tanzania. It stands at a height of approximately ,562.13 metres (14,968 feet). On clear day, you can see Mount Meru from Kilimanjaro. It’s considered the fifth-highest of the highest mountain peaks of Africa, dependent on how you count. The mountain is a popular spot for tourists, especially those who enjoy hiking. Hiking Mount Meru normally last for four days and the whole mountain can last for about three days. It’s known for its impressive cliffs, diverse wildlife and beautiful green surroundings. The slopes of Mount Meru are home to variety of animals, including elephants, rhinos, giraffes, buffalos, antelopes, white colobus monkeys, and leopards. The area also hosts over 400 different bird species, making it a great destination for nature lovers.
The Fig Tree Arch:
The Fig Tree Arch in Arusha National Park is a big, arch-shaped tree that’s so wide, even an elephant or a whole tree could walk through it. It’s a popular spot for photos because of its impressive shape, and visitors often take pictures standing underneath it or from the top of their safari vehicles with the tree in the background. The tree itself grew from a parasitic seed that was dropped by birds, which then took root and grew into the arch. Many people visiting the park on a hiking safari to the Tululusia waterfalls include a stop at this unique natural feature in their trip.
Lake Longil and Momella lakes:
Lake Longil is the only fresh water lake in the park, inhabited with Tilapia fish and also there are Papyrus and Mace reed floating as Islands and changes their positions following the wind directions. The Momella Lakes are largely fed from under-ground streams and are not very deep. Momella Lakes are consists of seven stunning lakes such as big Momella lake and the small Momella lakes, the Kusare, Lekandihro, Tulusia, and Kkhotoito. Because of their different in mineral contents each lake supports a different type of algae growth and this gives each lake a different color.
How to get to Arusha National Park
The park can be accessed by road or air depending on the traveler’s choice. By road the journey is 45 minutes from Arusha town to the national park. If you prefer flying, you can catch a short 20-minute domestic flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha Airport. Both options are convenient depending on what suits you best.
Best Time Visit to Arusha National Park
The Park can be visited throughout the year; however, the best time is between June to September and from December to early March. The short rainy period is from October to November and the heavy rain season is from March to Maywas fully included within its boundaries.
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