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6th Floor, Mega Complex, Market/Livingston Street, Arusha, Tanzania
Arusha National Park is a hidden gem in northern Tanzania, offering an incredible diversity of landscapes and wildlife just a short distance from the town of Arusha. The park is home to the stunning Momela Lakes, the dense forests of Mount Meru, and the Ngurdoto Crater, all of which create a rich tapestry of habitats teeming with wildlife. Although smaller than other parks in Tanzania, it offers a unique safari experience with breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance.
The park is also renowned for its hiking opportunities, especially for those looking to conquer Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second-highest peak and an excellent acclimatization trek for Kilimanjaro. From its montane forests to the alpine desert at its peak, the park offers a variety of terrains and ecosystems to explore, making it a great addition to any Northern Circuit safari.
Size: 552 sq km (212 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, northeast of Arusha town.
Located just a 40-minute drive from Arusha, Arusha National Park is easily accessible. It is approximately 60 km (35 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Visitors can explore the lakes, forests, and Ngurdoto Crater in a half-day trip or use it as a start or end point for a longer Northern Circuit safari.
Note: Mountain Climbing Permits for Mount Meru are valid for 12 hours.
Forest walks, numerous picnic spots, and guided hikes.
Climb Mount Meru over three to four days — an excellent acclimatization hike for Kilimanjaro.
The best time to climb Mount Meru is June through February, though there may be rain in November. The best views of Kilimanjaro are from December to February.
Two lodges, two rest houses, campgrounds, and two mountain huts inside the park. Additional lodges are available in Usa River outside the park, and numerous hotels and hostels can be found in Arusha town.
Arusha National Park, often overlooked, provides an exciting safari experience close to Arusha town. Visitors can enjoy a variety of ecosystems in a relatively small area, from the lush montane forests to the scenic Momela Lakes, which are home to flamingos and a wide range of waterfowl.
The park's forested areas are a prime spot for sighting blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, and colorful birds such as turacos and trogons. Arusha National Park is the only place on Tanzania’s Northern Circuit where black-and-white colobus monkeys are regularly spotted. The park is also home to the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, a wide marshy floor surrounded by steep cliffs, offering a picturesque landscape dotted with buffaloes and warthogs.
Visitors can also explore the Momela Lakes, whose waters range from shades of green to blue, often attracting flamingos. Shaggy waterbucks can be seen grazing on the lakeshores, while giraffes and zebras roam the grassy plains. Despite its smaller size, Arusha National Park offers a rich and rewarding safari experience.
While Arusha National Park doesn’t have the famous ‘big five,’ it’s still home to leopards, spotted hyenas, giraffes, and buffaloes. The park is dominated by Mount Meru, which provides a rewarding and scenic climb. The ascent of Meru passes through several different environments, from woodland savannah to montane forest and alpine desert, before culminating in a view of Kilimanjaro from the summit.
