Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is a beautiful and diverse safari destination in northern Tanzania, located close to Arusha city. Surrounded by mountains, forests, lakes, wetlands and open grasslands, the park offers a remarkable variety of landscapes and wildlife within a relatively small area. It is especially known for Mount Meru, Momella Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, black-and-white colobus monkeys and excellent birdwatching.

Discover Arusha National Park

Often described as a hidden gem of northern Tanzania, the park is ideal for travelers who want to combine wildlife viewing with walking, canoeing, hiking and scenic exploration.

Its location makes it particularly convenient for visitors staying in Arusha, as the park is only a short drive from the city.

Mount Meru

Mount Meru is the dominant feature of the park and rises to approximately 4,566 meters.

It is Tanzania’s second-highest mountain and a spectacular dormant volcano. Climbing Mount Meru offers changing landscapes, from forest and wildlife habitats to higher-altitude moorland and dramatic volcanic scenery.

For travelers preparing to climb Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru can also provide valuable high-altitude trekking experience.

Ngurdoto Crater

Ngurdoto Crater is a spectacular volcanic caldera often described as a smaller version of the famous Ngorongoro Crater.

The crater contains grasslands, forest and wetlands that provide habitat for buffaloes, warthogs, elephants and other wildlife. Viewpoints around the crater rim provide impressive views into the crater below.

Momella Lakes

The Momella Lakes are a collection of shallow alkaline lakes surrounded by scenic landscapes.

The lakes attract flamingos and many other waterbirds, while the surrounding areas provide habitat for buffaloes, giraffes, waterbucks and other wildlife. Canoeing on the lakes offers a peaceful way to experience the environment from a different perspective.

Wildlife in Arusha National Park

Despite its relatively small size, the park supports a diverse range of wildlife.

You may encounter:

• Buffaloes
• Giraffes
• Elephants
• Zebras
• Warthogs
• Hippos
• Waterbucks
• Bushbucks
• Duikers
• Baboons
• Blue monkeys
• Black-and-white colobus monkeys

Leopards are also present but are rarely seen.

Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys

One of the highlights of Arusha National Park is the opportunity to see black-and-white colobus monkeys.

The park is considered one of the best places in Tanzania to observe these distinctive monkeys, particularly in the forested areas around Mount Meru.

Bird Watching

Arusha National Park is an excellent destination for bird lovers, with more than 450 recorded bird species.

The lakes, forests, wetlands and grasslands attract both resident and migratory birds.

Possible sightings include:

• Flamingos
• Silvery-cheeked hornbills
• Herons
• Egrets
• Storks
• Eagles
• Turacos
• Weavers
• Sunbirds
• Other forest and waterbirds

Walking Safari

A walking safari is one of the best ways to experience the park away from a safari vehicle.

With an armed ranger and experienced guide, visitors can explore forests, grasslands and areas around the lakes while learning about animal tracks, plants, birds and the surrounding ecosystem.

Walking allows you to experience the sights and sounds of the African bush at a much slower pace.

Canoeing on Momella Lakes

Canoeing provides a peaceful alternative to a traditional game drive.

From the water, visitors can observe birds, hippos and wildlife around the shores while enjoying views of Mount Meru and the surrounding landscapes. TANAPA highlights canoeing on Momella Lakes as one of the park’s distinctive visitor experiences.

Game Drives

Game drives remain an excellent way to explore the park.

The network of roads and tracks passes through forests, open grasslands, wetlands and areas surrounding the Momella Lakes, offering opportunities to see giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, warthogs and other wildlife.

On clear days, the scenery can also include spectacular views of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Tululusia Waterfall

Tululusia Waterfall is one of the notable natural attractions within the Arusha-Meru landscape.

The waterfall drops approximately 28 meters through volcanic terrain and provides an attractive setting for nature walks and photography.

Explore the Forests of Mount Meru

The lower and middle slopes of Mount Meru contain rich forest habitats supporting monkeys, birds and other wildlife.

As elevation increases, the vegetation changes from forest to heath and moorland, allowing hikers to experience several ecological zones during a Mount Meru trek.

Arusha National Park for Adventure Travelers

The park offers more than traditional wildlife viewing.

Depending on the activity and current park arrangements, visitors can enjoy:

• Game drives
• Walking safaris
• Canoeing
• Birdwatching
• Hiking
• Mount Meru trekking
• Forest walks
• Photography
• Picnic experiences

TANAPA also identifies Arusha National Park as an area with opportunities for mountain climbing, canoeing, cycling and other nature-based experiences.

Best Time to Visit Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park can be visited throughout the year.

The dry periods are generally favorable for wildlife viewing and hiking, while the wetter months bring greener landscapes and excellent conditions for photography and birdwatching.

For Mount Meru trekking, conditions should be considered carefully and travelers should use an experienced mountain guide.

How to Get to Arusha National Park

The park is conveniently located close to Arusha city, making it one of the easiest national parks to include in a northern Tanzania itinerary.

The park is approximately a short drive from Arusha, while Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) provides the main international gateway for many travelers visiting the region.

Combine Arusha National Park with Other Destinations

Arusha National Park can easily be combined with:

• Tarangire National Park
• Lake Manyara National Park
• Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Serengeti National Park
• Mount Kilimanjaro
• Lake Natron

Its location near Arusha makes it particularly useful for travelers who want to begin their Tanzania safari with a short wildlife or nature experience before continuing to the larger parks.

Why Visit Arusha National Park?

Arusha National Park offers an impressive combination of wildlife, volcanic landscapes, forests, crater lakes and mountain scenery.

It is an excellent choice for travelers who want to see black-and-white colobus monkeys, walk through the forest, canoe on Momella Lakes, explore Ngurdoto Crater or climb Mount Meru.

Its proximity to Arusha also makes it an ideal destination for a day safari or a longer northern Tanzania adventure.

Book Your Arusha National Park Safari

Explore Arusha National Park on a tailor-made Tanzania safari and discover Mount Meru, Momella Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, beautiful forests and diverse wildlife.

Enjoy a game drive, walking safari or canoeing experience, or combine your visit with Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti for a complete Northern Tanzania safari.