Arusha National Park Overview
Arusha National Park is close to both Arusha’s busy city center and Kilimanjaro International Airport, in Tanzania’s northeast. It is easy to overlook.It covers only 137 square kilometers, but the landscape changes fast: open savanna, mountains, old volcanic calderas, montane forest and alkaline lakes. Because it is so close, you can see a good share of it, and plenty of wildlife, in a single day. Expect plains game, monkeys in the trees and colourful forest birds.
The rains come from March to May and from November to December. The roads are good, though, so you can visit all year. You can walk, go on a game drive or hike, and the views and the animals are well worth the trip. It also makes an easy, quiet break from the noise of the city.
Geographical location: North eastern Circuit
Area: 137 km2 (53 sq mi)
Things to Do in Arusha National Park
There is plenty to do in Arusha National Park, even on a short visit. These are the ones we suggest:
Game Drives:
- A game drive takes you through the park’s mix of forest, grassland and lakes. Look out for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and zebras. With luck, you may even spot a leopard, which is hard to find.
- Hiking:
The park is good walking country. The best-known hikes are the climb of Mount Meru, the fifth-highest peak in Africa, and the Ngurdoto Crater Rim Trail, with wide views down into the crater. - Canoeing:
Paddle on the calm water of the Momella Lakes. You can watch hippos, waterfowl and other water life from the canoe. - Birdwatching:
Bring binoculars. More than 400 bird species have been recorded in Arusha National Park. Watch for colourful sunbirds, eagles and rarer birds such as the Hartlaub’s turaco. - Cultural Tours:
Visit the nearby villages of the Meru and Maasai tribes. On a guided cultural tour, local people tell you about their traditions, customs and daily life. - Picnicking:
The park has set picnic areas. A packed lunch outdoors is a nice way to rest before the afternoon. - Sightseeing:
Make time for the park’s big landmarks: the Ngurdoto Crater, the Momella Lakes and Mount Meru. Each looks quite different, and all three are good for photos.
You will not find big predators like lions, cheetahs or wild dogs here. Even so, the park is often part of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit safari itinerary. On that route, most travelers also visit Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. Arusha National Park is also popular on its own, with people who live in Arusha and with business travelers. It opened in 1960 as Ngurdoto Crater National Park, named after one of its main landmarks. Today it is called Arusha National Park, after the nearby town that is Tanzania’s safari capital.
Arusha National Park Map
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