Arusha National Park
About Arusha National Park
There’s nowhere else on earth that the transition between a pristine mountainous landscape and a bustling city landscape is as abrupt as it in Arusha National Park.
This beautiful Park has often been called a “little germ” and rightly so. It is only ½ an hour by tarmac road from Arusha town, the safari center of Northern Tanzania. With mountains, valleys, lakes, and small plains clothed in green, it has a wonderful feeling of peace and solitude. It is dominated by Mount Meru, which at 4,566 m (14,980 ft) is the 5rd highest free standing mountain in Africa.
This second highest mountain in Tanzania offers unforgettable experience and serves as acclimatization refuge before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Climate
The Park can be visited throughout the year; however the best time is between June to September and from December to early March. The short rainy period is from October to November and the heavy rain season is from March to May with annual average rainfall ranging from ….. to ….. mm. The park is located at an altitude between 1,700 and 4566 meters.
Arusha National Park can generally be explored in a day and is a great stand-alone adventure due to its proximity to Arusha and Moshi, and thanks to its small size.
It also pairs well with longer itineraries on the northern safari circuit, including the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park.
If you’re looking to squeeze in a short safari after climbing the steep slopes of Mount Meru, Arusha National Park is also ideal as it lies at the foot of it.
How to access Arusha National Park?
By road: You’ll have to take a taxi from Nairobi to the border, then cross it by foot and then take another taxi from the border to Arusha. The price will be around US$70 from Nairobi to Namanga border (2 hours and 30 minutes) and the price from Namanga to Arusha is around US$45 (1 hour and 30 minutes).
1) By shuttle bus:
Taking the bus is probably the most well-known option and also the most budget-friendly one. Plus, the route is pretty scenic and enjoyable as well, which is a great bonus!
By Air:
If you’re short on time and budget is not a problem, you can also take a plane from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Depending on your travel period, it can cost you around US$150. The flight time is around 1 hour.
Activities and Atractions in Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park’s highlights can be seen in a single day, and the park is the only park in Tanzania’s northern circuit in which a walking safari is possible.
Outstanding Wildlife Diversity
Due to the varied landscapes that exist within the park, there is an unusually high level of diversity when it comes to wildlife.
Not only is the park home to Africa’s largest giraffe population, but visitors can also expect to see water bucks, cape buffalo, elephants, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, turacos, trogons, and even the occasional lion or leopard in the right conditions.
The park also boasts an incredibly diverse variety of bird-life, making it a popular stop for birding enthusiasts.
Africa’s fifth highest mountain cuts a striking figure at 4,566m (14,990 feet). While Kilimanjaro is often shy and hides behind clouds, Mt. Meru is generally visible throughout the year.
An active volcano, Mt. Meru is also a popular climbing destination for visitors to Tanzania and a good introductory mountain for those wishing to climb Kilimanjaro. Not only does the climb offer a spectacular view of Kilimanjaro from the summit, but the hike itself is also an incredibly rewarding walking safari that takes you through multiple habitats where you can encounter giraffes, elephants, antelopes, and more
For those interested in climbing Mt. Meru, Shadows of Africa can arrange climbing permits, armed ranger escorts, all camping equipment, and even stays at the Miriakamba or Saddle Huts if necessary.
Image courtesy of Roman Boed.Canoeing the Momella Lakes
The Momella Lakes within Arusha National Park are a series of seven shallow lakes: Big Momella, Small Momella, Kusare, Lekandiro, Tulusia, Rishateni, and El Kekhotoito. Alkaline lakes with considerable algae growth, each of these lakes is a different shade of green or blue.
While the water is not suitable for drinking, it is possible to see a variety of birds (including flamingoes) and animals such as water bucks, giraffes, zebras, and dik-diks in the surrounding area.
It is on Small Momella Lake that canoeing safaris are possible.
Ngurdoto Crater
This swampy crater is inhabited by a large variety of animals and is a popular stop for game drives. Visitors can expect to see the Cape Buffalo, elephants, monkeys, baboons, warthogs, and a number of different antelope species here.
The crater is surrounded by the Ngurdoto Forest, a shady expanse that is home to playful black and white colobus monkeys.
Nearby is Serengeti Ndogu (Little Serengeti), an expansive grassland where herds of zebras can be seen throughout the year.
Ngurdoto Museum
Overlooking the Ngurdoto Forest with its population of black and white colobus monkeys, the Ngurdoto Museum houses an impressive collection of examples of the various animals, birds, and insects that can be found within the park.
Lake Longil
The only freshwater lake in Arusha National Park, Lake Longil is a popular watering hole for buffaloes and water bucks.
Tululusia Hill
A former lookout point during tribal wars from Tanzania’s post, Tululusia Hill is today a popular hiking and camping area that affords visitors an excellent view of the lower reaches of the Arusha National Park as well as Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.
This heavily forested region of the park is home to elephants, buffalo, colobus monkeys, the red duiker, suni, leopards, and even tree-dwelling pythons.
Fig Tree Arch
A distinctive natural arch formed by a fig tree, this intriguing feature of the landscape has grown into an arch large enough for a car or an elephant to pass under.
