Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park offers stunning landscapes and diverse ecosystems, along with breathtaking views of Mt. Meru. From lush forests to tranquil lakes, the park provides an incredible mix of scenery and wildlife.

Located near Arusha, Tanzania’s safari hub, the park is perfect for day trips before embarking on northern circuit safaris. It features Mt. Meru’s slopes, summit, and ash cone, along with Ngurdoto Crater and the serene Momela Lakes. Visitors often spot rare colobus monkeys swinging through the dense canopy, adding to the park’s unique charm.

Meanwhile, wildlife viewing around the Momela Lakes unfolds at a relaxed pace. Giraffes glide between zebra herds, while waterbucks and flamingos gather near the shore. At dawn and dusk, the sky often clears, revealing Kilimanjaro’s majestic, snow-capped peak just 50 km away.

Diverse Wildlife and Scenic Landscapes
Arusha National Park’s montane forest shelters blue monkeys, turacos, and acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkeys. Notably, it is the only place on the northern safari circuit where they are easily seen.

Ngurdoto Crater features marshland where buffaloes and warthogs roam freely. Nearby, rolling grassy hills frame the Momela Lakes, each radiating unique shades of blue and green. Occasionally, flocks of flamingos transform the shallows into a spectacular pink display.

Although lions are absent, visitors may still spot leopards and hyenas in the early morning. Sunrise and sunset unveil stunning views as Kilimanjaro emerges from the eastern horizon.

Mt. Meru: A Must-Visit Hiking Destination
Standing at 4,566 meters, Mt. Meru dominates the park’s skyline. Not only does it offer unmatched views of Kilimanjaro, but it also provides a quieter trekking experience for adventurers.

The journey begins in wooded savannah, where buffaloes and giraffes graze. Soon after, the path ascends into misty forests draped with Spanish moss and vibrant wildflowers. As hikers continue upward, the landscape shifts to an alpine zone dotted with giant lobelias.

From the summit, Kilimanjaro glows in the sunrise, rewarding hikers with one of Tanzania’s most breathtaking panoramas.

Arusha National Park Facts

Nestled around Mount Meru in Tanzania’s Arusha Region, Arusha National Park may be small but boasts remarkably diverse and stunning landscapes.

Interesting Facts:

• Arusha National Park boasts the most diverse terrain, stretching across Mount Meru—the fifth-highest peak in Africa at 4,566 meters.
• Arusha National Park gets its name from the Warusha people, an indigenous group living across the region.
• Due to its diverse plant habitats, Arusha National Park hosts a wide range of wildlife species. Interestingly, lions are absent from this region.
• Arusha National Park hosts a diverse array of wildlife, including giraffes, Cape buffaloes, zebras, warthogs, black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, flamingos, elephants, and the elusive leopard.