Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is a compact, multifaceted gem of varied ecosystems situated just a short drive from Arusha town, making it an ideal destination for day trips. The eco-landscape is incredibly diverse for its small size, featuring the lush montane forest of Mount Meru, the dramatic cliffs of the Ngurdoto Crater, and the serene Momella Lakes. The park provides spectacular, close-up views of Mount Meru's ash cone, offering a cooler, forested mountain sanctuary right on the doorstep of the city.

While the park lacks massive lion and rhino populations, it offers highly specialized wildlife sightings, including Tanzania's highest concentration of giraffes. The montane canopy is the definitive place to observe the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkeys and elegant blue monkeys swinging through the vines. The Momella Lakes host thousands of seasonal pink flamingos, while the marshy crater floors shelter herds of buffalo, warthogs, and waterbucks.

Activities are exceptionally active, with options for guided walking safaris, canoeing excursions on the Momella Lakes, and multi-day mountaineering climbs up Mount Meru. Logistics are the easiest in northern Tanzania, requiring less than an hour's drive from Arusha city center or Kilimanjaro International Airport. Lodging inside the park focuses on historic colonial-style safaris, mountain climbing huts, and peaceful eco-lodges tucked into the lower forest canopy.

Highlights

• Mount Meru Trek Tanzania's second-highest peak and a Kilimanjaro warm-up.
• Momella Lakes Alkaline lakes attract flamingos and abundant birdlife.
• Canoeing & walking Rare canoe and walking safaris close to Arusha town.