Location Of Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is a stunning national park located in the northern part of Tanzania, near the city of Arusha. The park was established in 1960 and covers about 137 square kilometers. The park features a mix of different landscapes, including Mount Meru, a tall volcano that rises to 4,566 meters and is the second highest mountain in Tanzania after Mount Kilimanjaro. The scenery also includes lush montane forest and open grassy savannah.
The park is small but offers a variety of beautiful sights in three main areas. In the west, you’ll find Meru Crater, which feeds the Jekukumia River, with Mount Meru’s peak sitting on its edge. To the south-east is the Ngurdoto Crater, filled with grassland. In the Northeast, the shallow alkaline Momella Lakes known for their colorful algae and among wading birds.
The park also has a wide variety of wildlife, its a popular destination for safari enthusiast. Visitors to arusha national park have the opportunity to see the Big Five animals such as lion, buffalo, leopard, elephant and rhinos and other wildlife like giraffes, warthogs, zebras as well as an abundance of bird species including ostrich, great crested grebe, flamingos, mourning collared dove, helmeted guineafowl, crested guineafowl, great cormorant, black-headed heron, secretary birds, osprey among others.
One of the most notable features of the park is Ngurdoto Crater, a volcanic crater surrounded by dense forest that is home to baboons, bushbucks, and monkeys. The park also offers incredible views of Mount Kilimanjaro, making it a perfect place for hiking and taking photos.
Top Safari Activities to Do at Arusha National Park
- Game Drives in the Momella Lakes Area
One of the most popular activities at Arusha National Park is going on a game drive. This is where you hop into a vehicle and drive through the park, spotting animals along the way. The best part of this activity is exploring the lush areas around the Momella Lakes. Here, you can see a variety of animals like giraffes, waterbucks, dik-diks, duikers, zebras, spotted hyenas, elephants, bush pigs, red duikers, warthogs, hippos, black and white colobus, blue monkeys among others. Sometimes, you might spot predators like lions or leopards resting nearby. The trails to Momella lakes and Ngurdoto Crater offer opportunities to see hippos in water and other animals gathering along the shores. The trails to Momella lakes and Ngurdoto Crater offer opportunities to see hippos in water and other animals gathering along the shores.
- Walking Safaris in the Ngurdoto Crater
Walking safaris is one of the popular tourism activities within the park. Walking Safari offers unusual recreational opportunities, environmental education and sense of touch with nature and natural treasures. The park offers guided walks in the Ngurdoto Crater. It is also referred to as “Little Ngorongoro” because, similar to Ngorongoro, it has evolved into a type of “reserve within the reserve” over time. This crater is known for its dense forests and rich birdlife. The highlight here is being able to walk close to animals including buffalo, warthogs, elephants, monkeys, baboons, leopards, and spotted hyenas. The guides are knowledgeable and help you spot animals you might miss on a vehicle drive
- Climbing Mount Meru
If you’re into adventure and hiking, climbing Mount Meru is a top activity. The mountain is the second highest in Tanzania and offers breathtaking views of the park and surrounding areas. Mount Meru is an active, but dormant volcano and known for its huge cliffs and green surroundings at the foot. Mount Meru offers unparalleled views of the steppes of the park, Momella lakes and Mount Kilimanjaro. The Momela route, which offers trekking access to the summit, passes through the Momella gate on the eastern side. It is the focal point of the park and the main reason tourists come to Arusha. The climb usually takes 2-3 days, and it’s best for those who are physically fit. The best parts of this activity are reaching the summit and looking down on the sprawling park below. Along the way, you’ll pass through different ecosystems, from rainforests to alpine moorlands, each with its own unique plants and animals such as blue and black primates, black and white colobus monkeys, infrequently spotted leopards, and a great variety of birds. The experience is both challenging and rewarding, giving you a new perspective on the park’s vastness and beauty.
- Bird Watching in the Park
Arusha National Park is a bird lover’s paradise. With over 400 species of birds recorded, it’s a great place for bird watching. The best spots for this activity are around the wetlands near the Momella Lakes and the forested areas of the Ngurdoto Crater. Early mornings are the ideal time because many birds are most active then. You might see different bird species such as Hamerkops, white browed coucals, bronzy sunbirds, pied Avocet, red billed oxpeckers, great headed bush shrikes, pelicans, golden eagles, yellow billed storks, Hartlaub’s turaco, Little grebe, Narina trogon, Peregrine falcon, Red-fronted parrot, Scaly francolin, Southern Pochard, Tawny eagle, Verreaux’s eagle, pink hued flamingos, African fish eagle, African olive pigeon, Silvery-cheeked hornbill, Egyptian goose, Augur buzzard, Bar-tailed trogon, Bearded vulture, Black saw-wing, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Great crested grebe among others . Bird watching is a relaxing activity that allows you to enjoy the park’s natural sounds and observe wildlife in a calm setting. It’s perfect for those who enjoy nature and want to see some of the park’s smaller, often overlooked creatures.
- Picnic and Relaxation at the Park’s Viewing Points
Finally, after a day of exploring, many visitors enjoy relaxing at the park’s designated picnic spots. These areas offer stunning views of the landscape and are perfect for enjoying a packed lunch or just taking a break. The best part of this activity is soaking in the peaceful surroundings, watching animals graze nearby, and capturing some memorable photos. It’s a great way to unwind and appreciate the tranquillity of Arusha National Park.
- Canoeing
This is one of the popular activities done in Arusha National Park. The activity is done on the Momella lakes as the visitor drift along the shallow waters. Momella lakes offer views of wildlife like buffaloes and bucks in the open landscape. Hippos and water birds can be spotted. Canoe trips often last 2-3 hours. Alternatively, tourists can opt for the traditional safari experience.
Best time to visit Arusha National Park
The best time to visit Arusha National Park depends on what you want to do and see. you can visit the park anytime of the year, but certain times are better for specific activities. If you’re interested in birdwatching, the best time to visit the park is between the months of November to December and March through May. During this time, it’s when the migratory birds are arriving from other parts of Africa and Europe. For those wanting to see animals, the best time to visit Arusha National Park is during the dry season between the months of June and October. Also, during the months of January and February are perfect months for hiking Mount Meru.
How to access Arusha National Park
To get to Arusha National Park, you can choose to travel by road or by air depending on the traveler’s choice. If you go by road about 45 minutes drive from Arusha town to the national park. Alternatively, the park can be accessed by use of domestic flights from Kilimanjaro International airport to Arusha airport and the journey takes 20 minutes.