Arusha National Park Tanzania

Arusha National Park Tanzania covering a land area 552 square Kilometers is located in the Northern part of Tanzania in the north eastern region of Arusha town which is a 40-minute drive from Arusha and approximately 60 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Arusha National Park is  a meager sized park with a lot of attractions to see and several activities to do. Endowed with varied ecosystems and spectacular views of Mt. Meru, the crater that gives the region its name, diverse wildlife that includes herbivores such as elephants, hippos, buffalo, zebra, and even the occasional wildebeest. Arusha National Park doubles as well as the home to the largest population of giraffes and if you love watching this long necked beautiful animals, Arusha National Park in Northern Tanzania is best venue for you. Not only the above are great about this place but it is also a perfect place for stretching legs doing walking safaris and canoe safaris.

Arusha National Park broadly is also made up of the variety of landscapes, ranging from open savannah through acacia scrubland to rainforest and, eventually, to alpine conditions on the higher reaches of Mt. Meru.

Arusha National park includes the slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mt. Meru that can be trekked in three days to the summit, the Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and the lush highland forests that blanket its lower slopes. Game viewing around the Momela Lakes is at a laid-back and quiet pace, and while passing through the forest many visitors stop to search for troupes of rare Colubus monkeys playing in the canopy.

Arusha National Park Attractions and Activities

Small but wildlife treasures secretly hidden in its endowment in diverse wildlife attractions too enormous and much is available here for exploration. For any African safari adventure, think of Eastern Africa’s adventurous moments that cause enormous memories. With a lot of touristic activities to do here, a few are expounded below to give you a glimpse of what you should expect when at this place. Arusha National park can be seen in a single day, and the park is the only park in Tanzania’s northern circuit in which a walking safari is possible.

An Outstanding Wildlife Diversity

Due to the varied landscapes that exist within Arusha National park, there is an unusually high level of diversity when it comes to wildlife. Not only is Arusha National park home to Africa’s largest giraffe population, but other wild animals exist here too and available for watching when you visit this park. These include: water bucks, cape buffaloes, elephants, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, turacos, trogons, and on some occasions, other big 5 members like lion or leopard can be sighted if the conditions are so favorable for them..

The park is also a home for birds for the bird watching enthusiasts thus making Arusha national park packed with a lot of incredible diverse bird’s species, giving it a rank in the birding list in Africa. Birders your favorites place is here. There is a lot to see here as far as wildlife is concerned. Kindly Contact us via our inbox. info@jewelsafaris.com and we go on African safaris in the Eastern part of the African continent.

Mt. Meru

Ranked fifth highest mountain standing on an altitude of 4,566 m (14,990 feet) making it the second highest in the Tanzanian land, is an active volcano. With limited ice and mist around its peak, this mountain is visible all through the whole year which is not the same as mountain Kilimanjaro that seems often shy and hides behind clouds filled with ice. Climbing it is just so awesome tiring but worthy enduring the pain and be able to observe what many could not do.  Not only does the climb offer a spectacular view of Kilimanjaro from the summit, but the hike itself is also an incredibly rewarding walking safari that takes you through multiple habitats where you can encounter giraffes, elephants, antelopes, and more

For those interested in climbing Mt. Meru, Shadows of Africa can arrange climbing permits, armed ranger escorts, all camping equipment, and even stays at the Miriakamba or Saddle Huts if necessary.

Canoeing the Momella Lakes

The Momella Lakes within Arusha National Park are a series of seven shallow lakes: Big Momella, Small Momella, Kusare, Lekandiro, Tulusia, Rishateni, and El Kekhotoito. Alkaline lakes with considerable algae growth, each of these lakes is a different shade of green or blue. Though water is unsafe for drinking, its good for canoeing and with the possibilities of watching birds flamingoes and animals such as water bucks, giraffes, zebras, and dik-diks in the surrounding area.

It is on Small Momella Lake that canoeing safaris are possible.

Ngurdoto Crater

This swampy crater is densely filtrated by numerous wild animals variety of animals and it’s the mostly known point for stop overs during game drive activity. While conducting game drive here, be on alert to watch animals like: Cape buffalo, elephants, monkeys, baboons, warthogs, and different antelope species. Just at its outskirt, there is Ngurdoto Forest which is a habitat to playful black and white colobus monkeys.

Ngurdoto Museum

Overlooking the Ngurdoto Forest with its population of black and white colobus monkeys, the Ngurdoto Museum houses an impressive collection of examples of the various animals, birds, and insects that can be found within the park.

Lake Longil

The only freshwater lake at Arusha National Park popular and best for viewing the buffaloes and waterbucks because it is their watering hole. So this parks’ wild animals like buffaloes and waterbucks can be found here. Come with us. Just book a trip with Jewel Safaris

Tululusia Hill

A former lookout point during tribal wars from Tanzania’s post, Tululusia Hill is today a popular hiking site that affords visitors with an excellently beautiful view of the lower reaches of the Arusha National Park as well as the two mountains of Kilimanjaro and Meru. Give it a try while on any African safaris adventure with Jewel Safaris

This heavily forested region of the park is home to elephants, buffalo, colobus monkeys, the red duiker, suni, leopards, and even tree-dwelling pythons.

Africa is generally so well-endowed that many have witnessed and tried to give names that they think can match what they have seen in the black man’s world. With several sights that make you believe you are in anew yet to be Identified planet, don’t be among those that wait others to tell you what they saw. Be among those that will tell more beautiful stories about the untapped African land. Would you love to inquire more about Arusha national park or book an African safari here? Inbox us info@jewelsafaris.com and we shall do just as you prefer.

How to get to Arusha National Park

Get a direct flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport which is located 29 minutes from Arusha town. A drive from Arusha town to Arusha National Park is 45 minutes. Alternatively, a tourist may use a domestic flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport to connect to Arusha Airport.

 

Accommodation in Arusha National Park

Budget options

• Banana Farm Eco Hostel
• Mambo hideaway
• Culture home
• Zion Care Homestay
• Graceland Hotel

Luxury options

• Mount Meru Hotel
• Kigongoni Lodge
• Onsea House
• The Bay Leaf Boutique Hotel and Restaurant
• Arusha Crown Hotel