One of Tanzania’s most impressive national parks, Arusha National Park is situated in the country’s northeast, near the town of Arusha and the Kenyan border. It is located 35 kilometers from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), 58 kilometers from Moshi, and 35 kilometers from Arusha city. The second-oldest national park in Tanzania, Arusha International Airport, spans 552 square kilometres and features a variety of landscapes that change depending on where you are in the park. These landscapes include the shallow, alkaline Momella lakes in the northeast, the Ngurdoto crater in the southeast, which is dominated by savannah, and the funnels of the Meru crater, the Jekukumia River, and the summit of Mountain Meru in the west.
Mount Meru, the second-highest peak in Tanzania after Mount Kilimanjaro, is part of Arusha National Park. It is a volcanic cone that is thought to have erupted three million years ago. Situated at 4,566 meters above sea level, this mountain is home to the stunning “Ngurdoto crater,” one of the park’s most notable attractions. Often called the Little Ngorongoro, Ngurdoto Crater is 300 meters deep, with a diameter of 3.2 km. It has extremely steep walls that are peppered with lush rainforest. It is shaped like a basin. Marshy grassland, home to buffalo, elephants, antelopes, baboons, leopards, monkeys, and numerous birds, dominates the crater floor.
The second-oldest parks in Tanzania are Arusha and Lake Manyara. Both parks owe their founding and background to Count Teleki of Hungary, who travelled through the Momella region in 1876. When he first came, the abundance of black rhinos and hippos in the region captivated him. The Trappe family, who had constructed a farm there and used it as a cattle ranch, also paid a visit to the area in 1907. The farm and Ngurdoto Crater were included in the park’s boundaries when it was created as a national park in 1960. The region of Mount Meru was added to the park in 1967. The Warusha people who formerly lived in the region that is now known as Arusha National Park are the source of the park’s name.
Arusha National Park is home to more than 400 different bird species and a wide range of mammal species in addition to its stunning scenery and physical characteristics. Arusha National Park is one of Africa’s top six wildlife viewing destinations because of the abundance of animals there. Some of the animals you can see here are buffaloes, zebras, warthogs, hippos, reedbucks, duikers, bush pigs, giraffes, dik-dik, leopards, elephants, wildcats, spotted hyenas, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and many more. The greatest places to see these animals are the Momella lakes, the Ngurdoto Museum area, the slopes of Mount Meru, and the dark montane forests.
population of birds More than 400 species can be found at Arusha National Park, including water and forest species that can be found around Momella Lakes, as well as migratory species that are there from November to April. These birds include Levaillant’s cuckoos, Jacobin cuckoos, Black-headed herons, African jacanas, silver-checked hornbills, bronzy sunbirds, pied Avocet, black-winged stilt, flamingos, hammerkops, pelicans, white crested tilt, African paradise flycatchers, crowned eagles, yellow-billed storks, lanner falcons, southern Pochards, golden eagles, red-fronted parrots, silver-checked hornbills, grey-crowned cranes, Augur buzzards, and many more.
Tourist activities in Arusha national park
Game viewing
One of the most amazing safari experiences in Arusha National Park is going game viewing. The park is home to many different types of large mammals that live in different vegetation zones, such as forests, savannah grasslands, and the area around Momella Lakes. Driving an open-roof car for game watching allows you to see a variety of wildlife, including giraffes, waterbucks, buffaloes, leopards, elephants, dik-dik, zebras, and many more. There are three times to view games: in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening.
Bird watching
Arusha National Park is home to over 400 different bird species, making birdwatching there a memorable experience. Some of the many bird species that can be spotted while birdwatching in Arusha National Park include flamingos, hammerkops, pelicans, white crested tilt, African paradise flycatchers, grey-headed bush shrikes, red-billed Oxpeckers, bronzy sunbirds, pied Avocet, black-winged stilt, African jacanas, African spoonbills, black-headed herons, Jacobin cuckoos, Levaillant’s cuckoos, crowned eagles, yellow-billed storks, lanner falcons, and many more. The flamingo-filled shores of Momella Lake, the savannah grasslands, and the woodland galleries dotting the slopes and base of Mount Meru are the best places to go bird watching.
Climbing Mount Meru
For those who enjoy mountain climbing You should visit the Arusha National Park. Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second-highest peak, is a breathtaking mountain that is ideal for mountain climbing. The mountain boasts stunning natural features such the Ngurdoto Crater, inner wall cliffs, and a precipitous rise from a round base. The Momella route, which is the sole path that leads to the mountain’s summit, is used for ascending Mount Meru. It begins from Momella Gate on the eastern side of the peak and travels around the northern arm. Using the Momella route, climbing Mount Meru takes four days and three nights to complete.
Walking safaris
Walking safaris are perfect in Ujambo Wa Mbogo, also known as “the buffalo glade,” an area dominated by marsh, bushes, and multiple streams that serve as a feeding ground for warthogs, buffaloes, and giraffes that are spotted there. Walking safaris in Arusha National Park are an amazing, adventurous retreat that allow you to explore parts of the park which are not accessible by vehicle. Numerous paths that wind through the park are also used for walking safaris. Two such trails are those that skirt the rim of Ngurdoto Crater and pass beneath Mount Meru.
Canoeing
Canoeing on Momella Lake takes place in two sessions, with the early morning session starting at 7:30 am and the evening session starting at 4:00 pm. Canoeing in Arusha National Park exposes visitors to a whole new different kind of world with charming sights, animals, and a cool breeze on the lake. Uninterrupted views of Mount Meru can be seen when canoeing, along with vistas of wildlife including giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, and bushbucks as well as water birds like storks, cattle egrets, and huge kingfishers.
Horseback riding
In addition to being an exciting Tanzania safari activity, horseback riding in Arusha National Park is an environmentally responsible way to travel and experience the adventure. The five to seven hour ride on a horse allows you to see beautiful scenery, including Mount Meru, and a variety of wildlife, including buffalo, elephants, and leopards. Horseback riding greatly enhances the opportunity to get up close and personal with animals like giraffes, while also allowing you to explore areas inaccessible by car.
Where to stay in Arusha National Park
Accommodations for safari guests may be found all across the Arusha National Park. These facilities range in price from premium to midrange to affordable. Arusha Serena hotel, resort, and spa; Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge; Momella Wildlife Lodge; Mount Meru Game Lodge; Hatari Lodge; Itikoni Seasonal Camp; and many more are among the places to stay in Arusha National Park.
How to get to Arusha National Park
The capital of the Arusha area, Arusha, is located northeast of Arusha National Park, some 35 km away. You may go to Arusha National Park by road or by air, and it takes about forty minutes to get there. Private and public vehicles can be used for transportation on the road; multiple buses depart daily from Arusha city to Ngare Nanyuki settlement, stopping at Ngongongare gate. Kilimanjaro International Airport is the landing site for flights to Arusha National Park; the park is 46 kilometers away from the airport.
