ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK

Arusha National Park is by far that one most outstanding wilderness area visitors on Tanzania safari should consider a must-visit. This exceptional wilderness area lies in the northeastern area of Tanzania, covering the magnificent Mount Meru (4566 meters) in Arusha region. Regardless of its small size, the park’s landscape is incomparably unique featuring Meru Crater funnels the Jekukumia River, Mount Meru peak all in the West and the Ngurdoto Crater in southeastern. The shallow alkaline momella lakes in the northeast have differing algal colors and also famous for unique birdlife.

Arusha National Park is set a few kilometers northeast of Arusha and the main gate is about 25kms drive east of Tanzania’s capital, 58kms from Moshi and 35km from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The park was established in 1960 making it one of the oldest parks. Before, it served as a battle ground for the Masai people and their neighbors.

History of Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park has a unique history which dates back in 1876 when Count Teleki a Hungarian paid a visit to Momella side of the park. During his stay here, he commented on huge concentration of black rhinos and hippos he spotted. Unfortunately, they got extinct and in 1907, Trappe family to Momella to farm in the present park area turning it as a cattle ranch. Trappe turned a professional hunter in East Africa and designated the Momella estate as a game sanctuary. In 1960, Arusha National Park was founded to combine the sanctuary and other parts. However, it was founded as Ngurdoto Crater National Park and in 1967, Mount Meru region was also designated as a park. Its name later changed to present Arusha National Park. The park takes its name from the Waarusha residents who lived around this area.

Attractions in Arusha National Park

Mount Meru

Mount Meru is one incredible attraction within Arusha National Park travelers on Tanzania safari should consider a must to explore. This mountain is Tanzania’s second highest peak after the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro.

Wildlife

Arusha National Park is endowed with huge concentration of wildlife including among others elephants, leopards, antelopes-bushbucks, waterbucks, cape buffaloes, zebras, warthogs, giraffes, blue monkeys, lions, leopards, black and white colobus monkeys and many more.

Bird life  

The birds that make this park a birding paradise include the bar tailed trogon, African green pigeon, white backed duck, white faced whistling duck, Egyptian goose, Narina trogons, scaly francolin, little grebe, great crested grebe, Red eyed dove, Rameron pigeon, ring necked dove, Hartlaub’s turaco, red chested cuckoo, pied cuckoo, three banded plover, white browed coucal, African emerald cuckoo, dideric cuckoo, blacksmith lapwing, little swift, white rumped swift, corn crake, red knobbed coot, black crake, gray crowned crane, cape teal, red billed duck, yellow billed duck, starlings.

Activities to do in Arusha National Park

Game drives

Game viewing in Arusha National Park involves you to explore diversity of wildlife including elephants, leopards, antelopes-bushbucks, waterbucks, cape buffaloes, zebras, warthogs, giraffes, blue monkeys, lions, leopards, black and white colobus monkeys.

Bird watching

Birding in Arusha lets you identify bird species like bar tailed trogon, African green pigeon, white backed duck, white faced whistling duck, Egyptian goose, Narina trogons, scaly francolin, little grebe, great crested grebe, Red eyed dove, Rameron pigeon, ring necked dove, Hartlaub’s turaco, red chested cuckoo, pied cuckoo, three banded plover, white browed coucal, African emerald cuckoo, dideric cuckoo, blacksmith lapwing, little swift, white rumped swift, corn crake, red knobbed coot, black crake, gray crowned crane, cape teal, red billed duck, yellow billed duck, starlings.

Mountain climbing

Mountain climbing in Arusha National Park is best done in Mount Meru which stands at elevation of 4566 meters. You also get opportunity to sight other primates including the white and black colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons and many more.

Canoeing

This is rewarding watersport offered to visitors on Tanzania safari in Arusha National Park. It is best done on Momella Lakes and you have opportunity to view over aquatic life, giraffes and buffaloes and birdlife. Canoeing here can last for you 2 to 3 hours.

Nature walks

Guided nature walks in Arusha National Park are best carried out from Kitoto to Njeku through Meru crater, Momella gate to Itikoni, Ngurdoto crater, buffalo to Kaitong, Laitong to buffalo and Momella gate to Tululusia waterfall. Each trail has something rare to amaze you and so a unique experience.

Best time to visit Arusha National Park

Game viewing in Arusha National Park is best done in the months of June, July, August, September and October. Hiking through Mount Meru is possible from June to February and between November and April, it is ideal for bird watching.

Where to stay in Arusha National Park

The best accommodation choices to consider for a night stay on Tanzania safari in Arusha National Park include Mount Meru lodge, Mbega lodge, Momella Wildlife lodge.

How to get to Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is 40 minutes’ drive off Kilimanjaro International Airport and Moshi town, about 58 kilometers. You need a good 4x4 drive safari vehicle to reach this park.