ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK | TANZANIA ARUSHA PARK

Arusha National Park is one of Tanzania’s top game parks that awaits exploration on every Tanzania safari, especially those on longer northern circuit safaris.

This small park is one of the iconic places in Africa, located at the foothills of Mount Meru, which is Tanzania’s second-highest mountain after Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mount Meru and the Ngurdoto Crater are outstanding features in the park that were formed by a volcanic eruption a million years ago.

The park is characterized by diverse landscapes, including green forests, marshes, savannahs, alpine vegetation, and a mountain. This makes it one of the most commonly visited conservation areas in East Africa, especially when it comes to mountain climbing safaris in Tanzania.

It also offers a diverse range of epic, stunning landscapes in the distinctive areas it features, including the spectacular Meru Crater funnels of the Jekukumia River, and the peak of Mount Meru.

Besides the epic mountains and other stunning landforms, Arusha NP is famous for a high density of species of wildlife, including small and large mammals, and primates like the white colobus monkey, and different tree species. This makes the park the best destination for Tanzania wildlife tours.

Location of Arusha National Park 

Arusha National Park is a small game park covering an area of 137 square kilometers, located in northern Tanzania, north east of Arusha city, just next to the Kenyan border.

Its location, which is just a short drive from the city of Arusha, the safari capital, makes it the most visited compared to other parks in Tanzania in the northern circuit.

It is situated on a 300-kilometer-long axis of Africa’s famous national parks; that is, it is 300 km from Serengeti NP and about 130 km from Kilimanjaro NP.

From Kilimanjaro International Airport, the main gateway to Arusha, it is about 35 km away, and from Moshi, it is about 58 km away.

History of Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is the second-oldest game park, besides Lake Manyara NP.

Established in 1960, Arusha National Park was initially named Ngurdoto Crater National Park. The government of Tanzania invested in the park to develop it as a top tourist destination after its independence in 1961.

However, it was first reorganized in 1878, when Count Teleki visited the Monella area, which has many lakes and is among the famous attractions in this protected area.

During his visit, Count Teleki commented on the large number of hippopotamuses and black rhinos, although the rhinos have since become rare in this protected area.

The Trappe family moved into the park in 1907 with the aim of farming, and they used part of the Monella area as a cow ranch. Mrs. Trappe, who became the first professional hunter, donated part of her Monella estate to the game reserve.

The reserve was later incorporated into a game reserve in 1960, and it was first established as Ngurdoto Crater National Park. By the time of its establishment, the park only covered a few areas.

Arusha National Park was renamed from Ngurdoto Crater National Park to Arusha National Park in 1967 by the Wa-Arusha people, and this was done after the inclusion of Mount Meru as part of this protected area.

The Tanzanian government invested in the park to develop it as a top tourist destination after independence.

Today, Arusha NP includes many iconic features, including picnic sites, a beautiful entrance gate, good accommodation facilities, and many others, drawing many travelers for a Tanzania trip.

Tourist Attractions in Arusha National Park

Arusha NP offers outstanding sights to different travelers, given its rich biodiversity, thereby catering to everyone who visits this protected area. Among the attractions include.

Wild Animals 

Arusha National Park is home to a variety of wild animals, which are worth seeing on a Tanzania wildlife safari in the longer northern circuit safaris of Tanzania.

The park features a Mini-Serengeti, known as Serengeti Ndogo, which is an open grassland where elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and zebras can be spotted grazing. At this Mini-Serengeti, visitors can enjoy game viewing and walking safaris.

Other animals in this protected area include reedbucks, giraffes, hippos, warthogs, pairs of dik-dik, waterbucks, elephants, red duikers, African bush pigs, etc.

Animals like spotted hyenas, leopards, and wild cats can be seen on the slopes of Mt. Meru. For visitors more interested in seeing monkeys, like the blue monkey, the black and white colobus monkey can be spotted in the park’s montane forest.

These and many other animals make Arusha NP the best destination for wildlife tours in Tanzania.

Bird Species in Arusha NP 

The park boasts over 400 recorded bird species, such as pink flamingos, African fish eagles, Augur buzzards, Bar-tailed trogons, Bearded vultures, yellow-billed storks, pied avocets, Scaly francolin, Southern pochards, Tawny eagle, Cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, little grebes, Narina trogons, Peregrine falcon, Egyptian geese, Black saw-wings, and African olives.

These and many other birds make Arusha NP one of the best destinations for birding tours in Tanzania.

Mount Meru 

Mount Meru is the second tallest mountain in Tanzania, rising at 4,566 meters above sea level, slightly lower than the 5,895 meters of Mt. Kilimanjaro, making it a popular destination for mountain climbing tours in Tanzania.

The base of Mount Meru features a wide caldera formed by previous volcanic eruptions, as this mountain is an active volcano that last erupted in 1910.

Mt. Meru has a base of 20 kilometers. It is said to have been the tallest mountain, but because of the volcanic eruption that happened in 1910, its top broke away, leaving behind a wide caldera.

Mt. Meru offers scenic hiking opportunities with dramatic views along the crater rim, and panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, including Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Ngurdoto Crater 

The Ngurdoto crater is a volcanic caldera located in South southeast of Arusha National Park, famous for its swampy floor and diverse wildlife species. A dense forest covers its basin-shaped walls.

Oftentimes, it is referred to as the mini Ngorongoro Crater for offering stunning views of forest species, grasslands, and swamps.  The crater covers an area of about 3.6 kilometers and is 100 meters deep.

It is home to various animals, including buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, and monkeys such as blank and white colobus monkeys, as well as leopards and many bird species like hornbills, hammerheads, and bee-eaters that are particularly found at its swampy bottom.

Walking safaris are the only way to explore the Ngurdoto Crater in Arusha NP with the help of an experienced park ranger.

Many animals and birds can be seen when visitors stand at the crater rim.

Momella Lakes in Arusha NP 

These lakes are also among the spectacular things to see on a Tanzania excursion to Arusha NP.

There are seven shallow alkaline Momella lakes, which include El Kekhotoito, Rishateni, Lekandiro, Tulusia, Kusare, Big Momella, and Small Momella lakes.

They were formed from the volcanic debris when a massive explosion happened, causing landslides, and the water in these lakes’ springs flows from the underground sources at their bottoms.

These Momella lakes attract numerous species of birds, including migratory flamingos and several waterfowl species like herons and pelicans, Egyptian geese, and African jacanas, among others.

They are drawn to these lakes because of the presence of algae, on which birds feed. This makes the lakes in Momella in Arusha NP one of the best birding destinations for Tanzania birding tours.

Uwanja wa Mbogo in Arusha National Park

Uwanja wa Mbogo, which means buffalo glade, is another tourist attraction in Arusha NP. It is located at the foothill of Mount Meru, and it is one of the first attractions that hikers on Mount Meru climbing tours will see, especially those hiking from the gate.

The Uwanja wa Mbogo is a large natural glade that consists of marsh, bushes, and streams serving as the feeding ground for a large number of buffalo, warthogs, and giraffes.

The Uwanja Wa Mbogo can be best explored when on a walking tour, where you will see the buffalo and the warthogs coexisting, each helping the other.

Warthogs use the buffalo’s biomass to hide, while the buffalo gain from the warthog’s excellent sight, warning them of the predators.

Apart from animals, you will also see a variety of plant species, including the acacia tree, fig tree, and jasmine tree, among others. Visitors can best explore Uwanja wa Mbogo on a walking safari during a one-day trip.

Fig Tree Arch in Arusha NP 

The Fig Tree Arch is another wonderful attraction in Arusha NP. It is most liked for its strange look, whereby its roots have grown too big to take the shape of an arch. This tree grew from the seeds dropped by the foliage birds.

It initially grew as a parasitic wild fig entwined around two other trees, but today only the fig tree remains, with roots that have grown too large for an elephant or for a safari car to pass through. Most people visit this tree during their day trips to Tululusia waterfalls and Tululusia hill.

Tourist Things to Do in Arusha National Park 

There are numerous activities to do while at Arusha NP, and these include.

Game Drives 

Game drives, which are among the most popular activities in Arusha NP, involve driving through the open savanna—similar to the little Serengeti—in a 4X4 safari vehicle to observe various wildlife for approximately four hours.

These drives are done in the early morning, afternoon, evening, and at night with the help of an experienced armed park ranger.

Arusha National Park is home to a variety of wildlife species, including giraffes, waterbucks, dik-diks, zebras, reedbucks, red duikers, bush pigs, elephants, and klipspringers. Most of these can be spotted on a day safari drive.

You can also spot predators like hyenas, leopards, and wild cats, among others, when on night safari drives.

From the safari drives, other roads in the park lead you to Momella lakes and Ngurdoto Crater, where you will also spot some animals.

Game viewing is optimal during the dry season due to the shorter vegetation and more access to the game viewing trails.

Bird Watching 

Bird watching is a common activity in Arusha National Park, which is home to over 400 bird species, making the park one of the best destinations for birding tours in Tanzania.

Some of the commonly spotted birds include the Lesser Pink Flamingo, White-necked Raven, Hadada Ibis, Bar-tailed Trogon, Spur-winged Goose, Narina Trogon, African Olive Pigeon, Red-billed Teal, African Fish Eagle, Egyptian Goose, Augur Buzzard, Little Grebe, and Sacred Ibis, among others.

Bird watching can be done all year round, with the best experience from November to April, because from November through March, migratory bird species are present in this protected area.

Mount Meru Climbing

Hiking Mount Meru is a popular adventure activity in Arusha NP because of the mountain’s height of 456 meters above sea level. This makes it the best destination for mountain climbing tours in Tanzania.

The Momella route is the designated hiking route that begins at Momella Gate on the eastern side of the mountain, and it ascends along the northern rim of the crater to reach the Socialist peak.

Hiking Mount Meru is considered more challenging and beautiful than climbing Mount Kilimanjaro due to its steepness and rugged trails. The steepness of the Momella route begins at approximately 3570 meters.

The climbing routes of Mt. Meru pass through various environments, including lush forests and mountain streams, making the hike more challenging.

While climbing, you will have to sleep over at Miriakamba hut, and on the following day, you can climb to the summit, where you will have more spectacular views of the surroundings.

As you enjoy the climbing experience, you will see the subsidiary peaks known as Ash Cone and a cliff in the inner walls that rises more than 1500 meters high.

Climbing Mount Meru typically takes three to four days, and hiking along the crater rim offers breathtaking views of the surrounding forest and landscapes, which offer an unforgettable experience.

Hiking Mt. Meru is best during the dry season, particularly from June to October, because during this time, the hiking trails are less slippery.

Walking Safari in Arusha NP 

A guided walking safari is among the fascinating activities that take place in Ujambo Wa Mbogo (buffalo glade) in the Arusha NP.  These walking safaris are a wonderful alternative to traditional safari experiences in Arusha National Park.

Arusha NP offers guided nature walks, which allow exploration of the park’s different parts on foot with the help of an experienced and armed ranger to see some of the attractions that one may miss on a safari.

Ujambo Wa Mbogo is an area characterized by marshes, bushes, and streams where large herds of buffalo, warthogs, and giraffes frequently feed. You will also see beautiful scenery, epic landscapes, and more.

There are several trails at the base of Mt. Meru, including some that lead to the Meru Crater floor and the Njeku Viewpoint, and the common route is the Momella route, which takes 3–4 days to reach the viewpoint.

Horseback Riding 

Horseback riding is an interesting and rewarding experience during a day trip in Tanzania. It is a wonderful moment when travelers choose to explore the typical African bush on horseback, rather than using a safari vehicle.

Horseback riding can be carried out along different trails in Arusha National Park before visiting the park, since they can also be done in the communities surrounding this protected area.

While riding a horse in the park, you can encounter both large and small mammals. These rides also give you a chance to follow the wildebeest migration and visit various parts of this protected area. Horseback riding in Arusha NP normally takes around 5-7 hours.

Canoeing in Arusha NP

Canoeing is another interesting way of exploring Arusha NP. This activity entails the use of canoes to access areas of the park that are inaccessible to open game vehicles.

A well-trained guide assists tourists interested in canoeing on the small Momella Lake in Arusha National Park.

This lake offers perfect canoe trips in Tanzania, where you will be able to see the different animals like the cape buffalo, African bushbucks, and hippos, among others, in their natural habitats, birds like the flamingos, and other attractions.

Canoe trips normally last for about 2½ hours, and they usually start at 7:30 am or in the evening at 4:00 pm.

Sundowner Parties

Arusha NP is one of Tanzania’s game parks that offers sundowner parties. This activity involves enjoying a drink or meal in the African bush while watching the sun as it sets. Watching the sun go down as you enjoy your best drink is a wonderful time to relax from work-life struggles.

Cultural Tours 

You can also participate in the cultural tours as part of your Tanzanian cultural experience.

These cultural tours involve visiting the different homesteads around the park and interacting with the locals. Visitors can also support the local community by purchasing some of the locally made items, like crafts, which will immerse them in Tanzanian culture.

Costs and Charges at Arusha National Park 

There are different charges for different activities in this protected area.

Arusha National Park Entrance Fees 

Park entrance fees vary depending on nationality, the age of the visitors, and the season of visitation.

Non-residents

For non-residents 16 years of age and above, the park entrance is $50 in the high season and $45 in the low season.

For non-resident children aged 5 to 15 years, the park entrance charge is $15.

Children below 5 years of age do not pay the entrance fee.

Residents

For residents above 16 years, the park entrance charge is $25 in the high season and $22.5 in the low season.

Resident children are charged an entrance fee of $15.

Tanzania and East African citizens

Tanzanian and East African citizens above 16 years are charged TSh10000.

Children between 5 and 15 years are charged TSh2000.

Costs for Different Activities in Arusha National Park

• Game Drive: $45 per person
• Climbing Mount Meru $850 to $2000 per person
• Canoeing costs $65 per person.
• Horseback riding: $120 per person

Best Accommodation Options Around Arusha National Park 

Various lodges and hotels offer a home away from home for visitors in Arusha National Park. They range from budget to luxury options.

Some guided nature walks and horseback riding can also be organized through the accommodations in Arusha NP.

Visitors can still enjoy a game drive that provides a chance to view wildlife in Arusha National Park, starting from many accommodations, especially those that are near this protected area.

Some of the notable accommodations near Arusha NP include Gran Melia Arusha, Le Jacaranda Hotel, Mrimba Palm Hotel, Mount Meru Game Lodge, Itikoni Seasonal Camp, Ronako Lodge, WF Kiboko Lodge, and Momella Wildlife Lodge, among others.

Accommodations such as Kili Villa and Rivertrees Country Inn offer unique experiences close to Arusha National Park.

Public transport and taxis can be hired from Arusha Town to reach the accommodations that are close to the park.

Best Time to Visit Arusha National Park 

The best time to visit Arusha NP is during the dry season, which is from June to October and from December to March.

It is the best time to see many animals gathering around the water sources, and the vegetation tends to thin, providing an opportunity to spot the different animals.

However, the park remains open for visitors year-round, although there are limited activities during the wet season.

The wet season occurs from March to May and October to December, when heavy rains can disrupt activities.

How Do I Get to Arusha National Park?

Arusha NP can be accessed by both air and road, and is most accessible using the Northern circuit of Tanzania.

By Air

Travelers to Arusha NP can enter Tanzania through Kilimanjaro International Airport, and Arusha NP is just 40 minutes from this airport. For international travelers.

By road

It is about 40 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha NP, and one can use a private or public vehicle.

You must take the main road between Arusha and Moshi, turning off at the signpost. From the signpost, you can drive for 10km north of Ngongongare gate, one of the entry gates.

You can also use the Memolla Gate, which is the main gate. This is reached using the roundabout track to Lariboro on the main Nairobi highway, passing Nanyuki village.

Today, armed park rangers have been put in place to keep the boundaries of Arusha NP from any external threat and poaching, thereby conserving its wildlife.    

Arusha National Park FAQs Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is So Special About Arusha National Park? 

Arusha is special for its dramatic landscapes, including Mount Meru, the second highest mountain in Tanzania, Ngurdoto Crater, and unique wildlife, having the world’s largest population of colobus monkeys. This makes it one of the most visited game parks in the northern safari circuit of Tanzania.

2. What Is Arusha, Tanzania, Known For? 

Arusha is known as the safari capital of Tanzania and a gateway to the northern circuit, and it is a hub for adventure tourism and international bodies.

3. Can You See Kilimanjaro from Arusha National Park? 

It is possible to see Kilimanjaro from Arusha NP, though the views are only possible on a clear day.

4. Are There Lions in Arusha National Park? 

There are no lions in Arusha NP, and the absence of lions is why the park offers one of the best hiking safaris.

5. What Is the Most Famous Park in Tanzania?

Serengeti National Park is the most famous conservation area, renowned for the annual wildebeest migration. Other national parks include Lake Manyara NP, Tarangire NP, Gombe NP, Mikumi NP, and Ruaha NP, among others.

6. Why Is There No Lion in Arusha National Park?

There are no lions in Arusha NP because of the park’s small size and its proximity to Arusha city.

Conclusion

Book your long or short safari now to Arusha National Park, one of Tanzania’s national parks in the northern safari circuit, for exciting safari activities when on a Tanzania holiday. Stand a chance of climbing Mt. Meru, the second-highest peak in Tanzania, explore the Momella lakes, and spot diverse wildlife like the white colobus monkeys, among others, for lasting memories of a Tanzania safari.