Arusha National Park
Located just a short drive from Arusha Town, lies the national park that bears the same name. Arusha National Park is the most accessible national park of the Northern Circuit in Tanzania and the perfect place for a day trip or as the first or last stop on a longer itinerary. At just 552 square kilometers, Arusha NP is a small park with a lot to see.
Arusha National park is divided into three districts: Momella Lakes, Mount Meru & the Ngurdoto Crater. Depending on the time of year you can spot thousands of flamingos at Momella Lakes, who migrate between Lake Manyara and here.
Within these districts, Arusha NP boasts a broad variety of landscapes, ranging from open savannah through acacia scrubland to rainforest and, eventually, to alpine conditions on the higher reaches of Mt. Meru.
With diverse wildlife that includes herbivores such as elephants, hippos, buffalo, zebra, and even the occasional wildebeest, Arusha National Park is also a perfect place to get out and stretch your legs – with both walking safaris and canoe safaris available within the park.
The National Park is also home to the world’s largest population of giraffes, making it a great place to visit for fans of these long-necked, beautiful animals.
Arusha National Park is the closest park to the town with a similar name. It is a popular destination for day trip visitors who are about to embark from the town of Arusha on longer northern circuit safaris.
Arusha National Park is an interesting park to look at both for safari enthusiasts and climbers, as it lies at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro’s little brother, Mt Meru.
Since it's so close to the city predators are rarely spotted. Lions have moved elsewhere and leopards can easily hide in the bushes. However, there are loads of factors that make Arusha NP a worthy opponent for your ‘top 5 national parks bucket list
​
​
Walking Safari in Arusha NP & The Colobus Monkey
Due to the absence of predatory animals, such as lions, Arusha National Park lends itself perfectly to an exciting walking safari with a ranger.
Walking freely alongside the wildlife of Tanzania offers a truly unique experience. Here you´ll be walking at the foot of Mt. Meru, surrounded by green forests, lakes, waterfalls and a huge population of giraffes. A walking safari offers an amazing chance to be up close to wildlife. The Colobus monkey is one of the highlights you can spot in Arusha NP and can often be found swinging from the trees.
Mt Meru
Mount Meru is an active, but dormant volcano and forms the center of Arusha National Park. It is known for its huge cliffs and green surroundings at the foot.
Mt. Meru is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania. It might not be as tall as its big brother, but it requires more technical skills than its climber, making it a real challenge. The mountain isn’t climbed as often and gives you a really unique, more private experience. It can be climbed in a 3-day route or a 4-day route.
ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK: BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Arusha National Park greatly depends on your personal preferences. The time of your visit can greatly affect your wildlife experience. The park is known to be a great place to spot birds, which generally is the best time between November to December and March through May. This is when the migratory birds such as flamingos arrive.
However, if you prefer to spot mammals, the best time to visit would be in the dry season, between June and October. This is the dryest period of the year, making them significantly easier to spot in the normally thick, lush forests. Since water is more scarce, there’s a great chance to spot wildlife near one of the fresh water sources.
The dry months, including January and February, is also the best period to take on Mt. Meru.