Ultimate Guide to Visiting Arusha National Park 2026
Almost magical place – Arusha National Park, situated northeast of Arusha Town and just 50 kilometers from the Kilimanjaro International Airport. This gorgeous park hosts black and white colobus monkeys seen jumping through the treetops with ease, elegant giraffes wandering across the open savannah, and beautiful flamingoes standing tall in the shallow Momella Lakes while Mt. Meru calmly overlooks the going-on.
Compared to Tarangire or Serengeti National Park, the Arusha National Park is very small. But on this comparably small area. Here you will find a surprisingly large diversity of vegetation supporting an equally large diversity of wildlife from Mt. Meru. The fifth-highest mountain in Africa, in the west, the Momella Lakes in the North-East and the Ngurdoto Crater in the South-West you can experience mountainous forest, open savannah and grassland as well as lush rain forest.
Location of Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is located on Tanzania’s Northern circuit, about 25 km north of Arusha Town. Mt. Kilimanjaro lies to the north of the park, while Mt Meru is located inside the national park boundaries to the west. It is easily reachable by car on a tarmac road. Arusha Town is the starting point for most safaris to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and other popular destinations in Northern Tanzania.
- Arusha30 km | 1 hour by road
- Gombe Stream National Park1,110 km | 24 hours by road
- Tarangire National Park150 km | 2.5 hours by road
- Serengeti National Park (Naabi Gate)290 km | 6 hours by road
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Loduare Gate)185 km | 3.5 hours by road
- Ruaha National Park810 km | 16 hours by road
What to see in Arusha National Park
During game drive in Arusha National Park’s small Serengeti, you are likely to spot peaceful herds of buffaloes, shy bushbucks on the edge of the forest as well as warthogs and zebras. The area is also home to a high concentration of giraffes. Heading towards the Ngurdoto Crater, you will soon find yourself in a lush rainforest – a great place to spot the athletic black and white colobus monkeys as well as the elegant mitis monkey. The Ngurdoto Crater is basically a smaller version of the Ngorongoro Crater and has a diameter of about 3 km. with luck, you might even spot buffaloes in the swamps on the crater floor.
On a way towards the Momella Lakes, visitors are in for a treat as common waterbucks and reedbucks love to hang around the lake shore. You will see array of water birds like cormorants, kingfishers and beautiful flamingoes.
Arusha National Park is also home to a handful of African elephants, but due to their constant movement, they are hardly ever spotted. The same goes for leopards which roam the vast foggy forests of Mount Meru.
The Momella Lakes
The Momella Lakes in the North-East are shallow alkaline lakes with different salt levels. An ideal habitat for flamingoes! Depending on the season and the water levels, you can spot large flocks of these elegant birds here. On the small Momella Lake, you can also go on a canoe trip. These scenic and peaceful trips take about 2.5 to 3 hours and take you past antelope and buffalo herds grazing along the shore. On this experience, you will be accompanied by an experienced guide.
What to do in Arusha National Park
The most common activity here are classic game drives in 4×4 safari vehicles. Your experienced local guide knows the best areas to spot wildlife and will safely navigate the terrain. It is a great place for a day trip or the start of your longer Tanzania Safari.
If you want to get active, there is more to do. You can go on a walking safari in Arusha National Park. There are very few places in Tanzania’s protected national parks which allow you to walk amongst the wild on foot. But the low number of predators in Arusha National Park makes it possible.
A walking safari is a great opportunity for any visitor wanting to get up close to wildlife and birdlife, have a closer look at the moss-covered trees and take in the sounds and smell and colors around them. Most common sightings whilst on a walking safari include buffaloes, warthogs, giraffes and a variety of birds such as the silvery cheeked hornbill, little bee-eater and the occasional long-crested eagle. The walk takes visitors to the refreshing Tululusia waterfalls and back to the Momella Gate.
When to Go
Best Time to Go to Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is a year round destination. But just like many destinations in Tanzania, the best time to spot wildlife is during dry season from June to October. Vegetation is scarcer, allowing you to spot wildlife more easily.
Also, this is the best time to go on a walking safari. During the green season the park is literally very green – tall grass and foliage make it trickier to spot wildlife. The rainy green season does turn the park into a beautiful and lush jewel making for a very scenic views. It is also a great time to see Tanzania’s birdlife.
- Dry Season (June to October) – Ideal for wildlife sightings and walking safaris
- Green Season (November & March to May) – Best for birdlife and beautifully lush landscapes
Where to stay in Arusha National Park
There are several accommodation options to stay at in Arusha National Park, these include
- African View Lodge
- Rivertress Country Inn
- Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge
- Hatari Lodge
- Kili Villa
- Gran Melia Hotel
- Lake Duluti Lodge
- Lemala Hamerkop House
- Meru Game Lodge.
