Discover Arusha National Park, Tanzania
The closest national park to Arusha town – northern Tanzania’s safari capital – Arusha National Park is a multi-faceted jewel, often overlooked by safarigoers, despite offering the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats within a few hours.
The entrance gate leads into a shadowy montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and colorful turacos and trogons – the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen. Amid the forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, whose steep, rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalo and warthog.
About Arusha National Park
Size: 552 sq km 212 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, northeast of Arusha town..
Getting There to Arusha National Park
An easy 40-minute drive from Arusha. Approximately 60 km (35 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest, and Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari.
NOTE: Mountain Climbing Permits duration time is 12 HOURS.
What to do in Arusha National Park
Just north of Ngongongare gate lays the Arusha National Park which has a great view of Mount Meru. The lush green park is great for spotting zebras, giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks, klipspringers, dik-diks, buffaloes and hippos
- Wildlife Safari
- Birding Safari
- Canoeing Safari
- Trekking at Mount Meru
- Walking Safari
When to go
To climb Mt Meru, June-February although it may rain in November.
Best views of Kilimanjaro December-February.