Arusha national park is a wonderful Tanzania safari destination in the north of Tanzania, though it is not big in size this green park boasts remarkable sights and fantastic views of the mountains Kilimanjaro and Meru. Arusha National Park is situated just a short drive from Arusha and Moshi, this makes it one of Tanzania’s most convenient parks and a fantastic destination for a day trip. Arusha national park is also a fantastic destination to begin with or end with on a Tanzania itinerary.
Arusha national park is located on a 300 kilometers long axis of Africa’s most famous national parks, from the Serengeti national park and Ngorongoro Crater in the west to the Kilimanjaro national park in the east, the park is only a few kilometers northeast of Arusha City.
Arusha national park stretching over an area of over 200 square miles hosts great wildlife densities and is a home to the world’s largest population of giraffes, the park also hosts a wide variety of landscapes ranging from vast savannah and rainforests, acacia woodlands to alpine vegetation on the higher reaches of Mount Meru.
The main attractions of Arusha national park are the ancient fig trees, crystal clear waters in flowing mountain streams and colobus monkeys, some of the numerous sights to enjoy in Arusha national park are the Ngurdoto crater, rain forests, acacia forests, crater lakes and Mount Meru.
Landscape in Arusha national park
Arusha national park is one of the most gorgeous and geologically varied protected areas of Tanzania, the park is dominated by Mount Meru, shaped in the most perfect volcanic cone with a spectacular crater, the park also hosts the Ngurdoto crater – a marshy area also called the Little Ngorongoro.
Despite the small area of Arusha national park, it hosts a variety of landscapes, beautiful green forests covering the slopes of Mount Meru and Ngurdoto crater and the green savannah landscape in the lower areas. There are also the shallow alkaline Momella lakes found in the northeast region of the park, the lakes have different algae colors and are known for their migrating water birds.
Climate and Season in Arusha national park
Climate in Arusha national park is usually pleasant and mild, two seasons are experienced in the park that is dry season and wet season. Dry season is from June to September and two wet season (green season) that is March to May (long rains) and November to December (Short rains). The average annual temperatures in Arusha national park are consistent – cool at night and rarely hot during the day.
June to October
The afternoon temperatures are around 19 degrees with lots of sunny weather and clear skies, the night temperature is cool and around 9 degrees. Occasionally, it can be close to freezing. In the green seasons, temperatures are usually around 23 degrees during the day and around 11 degrees at night.
November and December
In this period, chances of rain are in the afternoon, the temperatures are around 22 degrees during the day and around 11 degrees in the evening and early morning.
January and December
This is a dry period between the rains
March to May
These are the wettest months in Arusha national park and it rains on most days but rarely all day long. Clouds are common and temperatures around 21 degrees during the day and 12 degrees at night. Crouches occur in April and May.
Interesting facts about Arusha national park
- Mount Meru is 4,566 meters high and has amazing wooded slopes
- Mount Meru is the second highest peak in Tanzania after Mount Kilimanjaro which is only 60 kilometers away and forms a wonderful background when looking east.
- Arusha national park is located a few kilometers northeast of Arusha City, although the main gate is 25hm east of it. The park is situated approximately 58 kilometers from Moshi City and 35 kilometers from Kilimanjaro International airport (KAI).
Animals in Arusha national park
Arusha national park is a small sized park with a significant population of wildlife though fewer than in other parks in the northern circuit of Tanzania, the park is famous for its black and white colobus monkeys, the Mitis Monkey, the diver and the largest population of Giraffes. Common animals in Arusha national park include giraffes, cape buffaloes, zebras, warthogs, dik-dik, the black and white colobus monkey, the blue monkey among others.
Birds in Arusha national park
Arusha national park is regarded as one of the important birding sites in Tanzania and birding paradise with over 400 bird species living in the different vegetation covers in the park such as short savannah grasslands, swamps, montane forests and on the shores of the Momella lakes.
Birds found in Arusha national park include Hadada Ibis, Red-billed Teal, Cape Teal, Great Crested Grebe, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Bearded Vulture, Little Grebe, Narina Trogon, African Olive Pigeon, Peregrine Falcon, Red-fronted Parrot, Scaly Francolin, Southern Pochard, Golden Eagle, Verreaux’s Eagle, Lanner Falcon, Crowned Eagle, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Jacobin Cuckoo, Ostrich, Grey Crowned Crane, Yellow-billed Stork, Saddle-billed Stork, African Spoonbill, Black-headed Heron, Cattle Egret, Black-winged Stilt, African Jacanas, Pied Avocet, Red-billed Oxpecker, Bronzy Sunbird, Grey-headed Bushshrike, White-crested Tilt, African Paradise Flycatcher, White-browed Coucal, Hamerkop, Pelican among others
Activities in Arusha national park
Arusha national park offering memorable and adventures including canoe safari, cycle safari, walking safari, climbing Mount Meru and Horseback safari.
Canoe safari
Canoe safari in Arusha national park is done on Lake Momella offering the unique opportunity to get close to the animals, this experience takes approximately 3 hours of floating quietly in a canoe with the guide. You will enjoy views of the green forest galleries and sights of animals such as cape buffaloes, giraffes, waterbucks and many birds on the shore. You will also enjoy spectacular views of the Kilimanjaro and Meru Mountains.
Cycle safari
Cycle safaris in Arusha national park are amazing experience through the park, the tour goes mainly around the edge of the Ngurdoto crater where you will enjoy beautiful views, to get to the starting point, you will first have a short safari through the park and you will be joined by a park ranger. As you ride on the partly dirt road and partly on steep and narrow paths that can be muddy you will have chances of encountering cape buffaloes, colobus monkeys, giraffes and various bird species.
Walking safari
Tanzania Walking safari in Arusha national park start at Momella Gate – the entrance of the park and takes you on a walk through this stunning area with an armed park ranger, during the walk you will enjoy the impressive flora in the rainforests, bird and animals, the volcanic landscape of Mount Meru and the Ngurdoto crater.
During walking safari in Arusha national park, you will enjoy nice views of Meru and Kilimanjaro Mountains on a clear day.
Climbing Mount Meru
Climbing Mount Meru is one of the amazing Kenya safari activities to do in Arusha national park, climbing Mount Meru is a 4 day – climb and the park is the starting point and hike takes you through to the top of the 4,566 meter high mountain.
Mount Meru is one of the best mountains to climb in Tanzania, the mountain hosts diverse flora and fauna. The most used route to climb the mountain is a route to Mariakamba Hut, this trail offers a good chance to see buffaloes, wild boar, monkeys including rare, beautiful colobus monkey, giraffes and elephants among many bird species.
During the climbing to the top of Mount Meru, you can enjoy beautiful views of the plains around and the snowcapped summit of Mount Kilimanjaro from a distance. While on the mountain you will stay on well – kept mountain hut with dazzling views of Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the clouds.
Horseback safari
Horseback safari in Arusha national park offers tourists an opportunity to explore the park while on a back of a horse, during the ride you will see many animals such as elephants, wildebeests, giraffes, gazelles and also enjoy the beautiful scenery. Exploring the African bush on the back of a horse is an extraordinary experience and is very suitable for experienced riders.
Accommodations in Arusha national park
In Arusha national park, there is a number of charming properties found inside the back and along its borders, these include
- Africa Amini Hillside Retreat
- Africa Amini Private Home
- Arusha Villa
- Kutoka Lodge
- Kiboko Lodge
- Kilimanjaro Eco Lodge
- Original Maasai Lodge – Africa Amini Life
- Karama Lodge
- Oleria Lodge
- Meru View Lodge among others.
