Arusha National Park is a small gem just outside the city of Arusha, known for its spectacular landscapes ranging from rainforest and crater lakes to the majestic Mount Meru. Here you’ll experience a surprisingly diverse wildlife and fantastic views, making the park perfect for a day trip.
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Mount Meru
Year-round
Low price level
1 day
Arusha National Park lies picturesquely between Mount Kilimanjaro and the city of Arusha. Despite its relatively small size, it captivates visitors with great scenic diversity: dense mountain rainforest, open grasslands, volcanic craters, lakes full of flamingos, and the imposing Mount Meru shape the landscape.
On game drives, hikes or canoe tours, you may encounter giraffes, buffaloes, warthogs, baboons, and numerous antelope species. The birdlife is also impressive.
Arusha National Park is particularly popular for hikes at the foot of Mount Meru, offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes and, on clear days, even Mount Kilimanjaro. A highlight for many visitors is also the Tululusia Waterfall, which can be reached on a short hike through the rainforest. Although the park has fewer large predators than other northern parks, Arusha enchants with its tranquility and scenic beauty.
Animals in Arusha National Park
Despite its small size, Arusha National Park offers remarkably diverse wildlife. Giraffes and buffalo roam the open savannahs, while groups of baboons and vervet monkeys frolic through the rainforest.
The park is especially known for the elegant black-and-white colobus monkeys living high in the mountain forest canopy. At the Momella Lakes, large flocks of flamingos gather, and waterbucks, bushbucks and numerous bird species can be observed here as well.
Lions and elephants are rare, but the picturesque scenery and proximity to Arusha make the park an ideal introduction to Tanzania’s safari regions.
Highlights
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Mount Meru
Tanzania’s second-highest mountain rises majestically within Arusha National Park. Hikes lead to the summit or to scenic viewpoints offering spectacular vistas of the surrounding landscapes and even Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days.
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Momella Lakes
The Momella Lakes shimmer in shades of green and blue. They attract flamingos and many other water birds and are a paradise for photographers and bird lovers.
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Rainforest with colobus monkeys
In the park’s dense rainforest live black-and-white colobus monkeys, baboons, and vervet monkeys. Watching the monkeys play in the treetops is a true highlight for visitors.
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Ngurdoto Crater
Ngurdoto Crater is often referred to as the “Little Ngorongoro.” It measures about 3 km across, with steep walls and a swampy floor where buffaloes and warthogs gather.
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Diverse landscapes
Rainforest, savannahs, lakes, and crater landscapes alternate in a small area, making the park particularly varied and fascinating.
Activities
Game drive
Discover giraffes, buffaloes and warthogs on a relaxed safari.
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Walking Safari
Explore the park on foot with a guide – up close to nature.
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Birdwatching
See flamingos, herons, kingfishers and many other species.
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Canoe tour
Glide silently across the lakes and observe waterbirds up close.
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Getting there
By car
Arusha National Park is only about a 45-minute drive from Arusha city or Kilimanjaro International Airport and is easily accessible via paved roads.
Are you ready for your adventure?
Whether you want to climb Kilimanjaro, get to know the Maasai and their culture, or float over the savannah in a hot air balloon, you'll find everything you need here!
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