Arusha national park

Arusha national park-Tanzania is located in Arusha region in the north eastern part of Tanzania. The national park is located close to the town of Arusha which is a beginning point for safaris to the northern part of Tanzania.

Tourists visit Arusha national park which is found at the base of Mount Meru which is the 2^nd highest mountain in Tanzania. The highest mountain in Tanzania is Mount Kilimanjaro which is also located north of the country.

Arusha national park is made up of montane and rainforest, alpine moorland and savannah. The national park is managed by Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) which also promotes conservation of the natural resources and wildlife species in the national park.

To access Arusha national park, tourists are required to park park entrance fees which are 53 USD for adults and 17.7 USD for children. Visits to the national park are about an hour and half drive from Arusha.

Giraffes in big numbers can be spotted during safaris to Arusha national park as well as other wildlife species such as elephants, hippos, zebras, buffalos, wildebeests, waterbucks, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and many others.

Giraffes in Arusha National Park — Arusha national park

Arusha national park has diversity in bird species and is visited during excursions around Arusha and activities which are carried out in the national park include the following;

Walking safaris

During safaris around Arusha national park, tourists engage in walking safaris around the foothills of Mount Meru in the national park. The different wildlife species which can be seen during the guided nature walks include giraffes, monkeys, buffalos, warthogs and zebras among others.

A park ranger guides the visitors during their walking safaris around Arusha national park which can take up to about 1 hour and half.

Hiking

Mount Meru is a popular hiking destination in Arusha national park which has beautiful views from the summit of the surrounding areas and also for Mount Kilimanjaro.

The places where hikers stay during their climbing experiences on Mount Meru include Miriakamba hut and saddle huts. It can take up to about 4 days to hike on Mount Meru which is made up of vegetation such as montane forests.

Game viewing

Wildlife viewing is another activity which is carried out around Arusha national park. Game drives in Arusha national park involve seeing different wildlife species such as black and white colobus monkeys around the main entrance gate of the national park, enjoying beautiful views of the thick forests and swamps and the Momella lakes as well as the diverse landscapes in the national park.

Visits to Arusha national park for wildlife viewing are combined with safaris to other destinations in the northern part of Tanzania such as Serengeti national park, Tarangire national park, Lake Manyara national park, Ngorongoro conservation area.

Bird watching

There are also various bird species around Arusha national park heron, egrets, eagles, greater flamingos, silvery cheeked hornbills, pelicans among others. There are over 450 bird species in the national park.

Horse riding

Horse rides are also part of the wildlife viewing experiences around the savannah plains of Arusha national park.

Canoeing

Canoeing is also carried out around Arusha national park on the Momella lakes which include the big and small Momella, Kusare, Lekandiro, Tulusia, Rishateni and El Kekhotoito which are the seven Momella lakes.

The small Momella lake is where canoeing is carried out during safaris around Arusha national park.

Attractions which are found in Arusha national park include the Ngurdoto crater, Momella lakes and the Meru crater.

The shallow alkaline Momella lakes in Arusha national park are part of seven lakes which are fed by underground streams. Flamingos can also be seen around the shores of the Momella lakes as well as many other bird species such as cormorants, storks, fish eagles, kingfishers among others.
Ngurdoto crater is made up of grassland and is also swampy and various wildlife species like buffalos, bushbucks, zebras, black and white colobus monkeys and warthogs can be seen. There is also a forest which surrounds the Ngurdoto crater.
Meru crater is another attraction found in Arusha national park which is shaped like a horse shoe and the mountain was formed as a result of volcanic activity. Tourists can also enjoy seeing the Great Rift Valley and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Best time to visit Arusha national park

The best time to visit Arusha national park is around June to October which is also the dry season. The time of the year which is recommended for hiking on Mount Meru is June to February.

In the fast growing city of Arusha there are also a variety of accommodation facilities where tourists can stay during their safaris to Arusha national park such as the African tulip, Arusha coffee lodge, Rivertrees country inn, Lake Duluti lodge, African view lodge, Runako lodge, Tulia boutique hotel and spa and many other budget, luxury and midrange lodges.

Visit Arusha national park and experience the beauty of Mount Meru and explore the different attractions at the destination.