A safari in Arusha National Park gives you a superb taste of Tanzania’s wildlife and natural riches. You’ll see many species of monkey in the tropical forest covering the Ngurdoto Crater, admire herds of buffalo, meet colonies of pink flamingos and other waterfowl on the Momella Lakes and, above all, hike up Mount Meru for an enchanting view.
Arusha National Park has no large predators. It is therefore a rather quiet park where you can observe buffalo, giraffe, zebra, monkeys, hippopotamus, antelopes and many birds.
Arusha Park is made up of wooded plains with immense fig trees. There are many waterholes: lakes, ponds and swamps, especially the Momella lakes. These are 7 shallow lakes, each fed by a different underground zone. This is also the best place to photograph the famous Mont Méru.
A tropical forest covers the park’s small caldera: the Ngurdoto crater, measuring 3km² in diameter. That’s a far cry from Ngorongoro ‘s 326km²! It’s in this dense forest that you can go in search of baboons, blue monkeys and above all a rare species: the colobus!
The Arusha region is rather mountainous. In fact, Arusha Park surrounds Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second highest mountain, located opposite the majestic Kilimanjaro, Africa’s largest mountain!
To visit Arusha National Park is to be driven into the heart of a lush forest alive with the monkeys and birds that live there. It means driving to the lakes and stopping for a picnic in front of a flock of pink flamingos! It means continuing on to Mount Meru and walking to see the waterfalls. It also means finishing your journey at the Jekukumia River, where the peace and quiet reign. Here you can relax and listen to the sounds of the birds. You close your eyes and think of all the beautiful things you have seen. You realise that you are in Tanzania. Your dream begins here, in the most fabulous of Africa’s small parks!
You canvisit Arusha National Park all year round. Most people visit Arusha between June and October, during the dry season. The wildlife gathers around the waterholes and is easier to observe because the vegetation is less dense. There is a short rainy season in November, after which the landscapes are even more luxuriant! We often recommendclimbing Mount Meru between December and February, as this is the period when you get the best views of Kilimanjaro. It’s also the period when you see the most birds.
For your Tanzania safari in this park, we recommend you make a half-day stopover or stay all day for a gentle safari. You can also stay for 4 days toclimb Mount Meru with our Tanzania trekking specialists. It’s a trek that’s accessible to amateurs and even to children over the age of 10. Get some height and observe the landscapes of Arusha with the snows of Kilimanjaro in the background!
Arusha National Park is the closest park toKilimanjaro International Airport, which is where you land if you want to travel to northern Tanzania. That’s why it’s often the first stop on a trip to Tanzania.
It takes a good half-hour to get from Arusha to Arusha National Park by 4×4. If you leave directly from Kilimanjaro Airport, it will take you an hour.
In general, we suggest that our travellers spend their first night in a charming lodge close to Arusha: Moyoni Airport Lodge. Ideally located, it is also THE lodge in the area that will acclimatise you best. It’s a small lodge with a warm, family atmosphere, local cuisine and a swimming pool with a view of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro.
Lodge – Moyoni lodge from Bourgouin Gary on Vimeo.
Entrance fees to Tanzanian parks are set according to age and also vary according to the weight of the vehicle. The price is around US$45 per person over 16, US$15 for children aged 5 to 16 and free for children under 5. These prices exclude 18% tax.
As in all Tanzania’s parks, you must respect the flora and fauna, follow the guide’s instructions and not litter. Detailed regulations are provided at the park entrance.
From
$ 2200
/ PEOPLE
Arusha / Mto Wa Mbu Village / Lake Natron / Serengeti National Park / Ngorongoro Crater / Tarangire National Park
FLAGSHIP ACTIVITIES :Bathing in the Engare Sero waterfalls with the Maasai people
Meeting with artists from Mto Wa Mbu
From
$1590
/ PEOPLE
Arusha / Miriakamba Hut / Saddle Hut / Mount Meru
FLAGSHIP ACTIVITIES :Visit to Arusha National Park
Crossing the Ngare Nanyuki River between buffalo and giraffe
From
$ 990
/ PEOPLE
Manyara / Cratère du Ngorongoro / Tarangire / Arusha
FLAGSHIP ACTIVITIES :Visite du village de Mto Wa Mbu
Pique-nique devant les éléphants du Tarangire !
From
$ 1940
/ PEOPLE
Manyara / Ngorongoro Crater / Tarangire / Arusha / Zanzibar
FLAGSHIP ACTIVITIES :Observe Tanzanian wildlife and meet the local people
Discover Zanzibar, its coral reefs and mythical spices!
