Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is a small park of 137 km² but has remarkable sights including the fifth highest mountain in Africa; Mount Meru (4566m ASL). The transition between the urban chaos and pristine mountain hiking trails is very obvious and abrupt when entering Arusha National Park. Visitors are thrilled by the breathtaking landscapes ranging from the Meru Crater in the west, the Ngurdoto Crater in the south-east, to the grasslands and the Momella Lakes in the north-east. It also shelters Ngurdoto Crater, often called “Little Ngorongoro“, with its swamp-filled floor.
Animals which can be found in the park, amongst others, are the black & white Colobus monkeys, small predators, giraffes, elephants and buffaloes. The park is excellent as a starting point of your Tanzania Safari to acclimatize after a long international flight. On a clear day and a with a bit of luck, you can see the majestic Kilimanjaro in the distance.
Things to See & Do While on a visit to Arusha National Park
- Walking Safari.
- Canoe Trip on Lake.
Best time to visit Uganda
Wildlife viewing in Arusha National Park is good throughout the year but is at its best in the Dry season, from late June to October. The beautiful scenery is most impressive in the Wet season, from November to May, although March and April can be very wet and with grey skies.
Passport & Visa Requirements
Entry requirements can change, so please contact your local Tanzania Embassy to verify the information below is current.
Getting to Arusha National Park
From your home country, you will fly in through Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) about 56km/35mi to Arusha city. The journey onward from Arusha town to Arusha National Park is approximately 51km/32mi – about 1.5hours drive along the Himo – Momella road.
Arusha City is a relatively compact city and further transportation within the city is usually done by road, though our Tanzania safaris include one or more flights. Realm Africa Safaris™ will collect you from the airport or hotel and further transportation will be part of your pre-booked your safari.
Things to See & Do In Arusha National Park
- Walking Safari
Arusha National Park is special because it is one of the few parks in Tanzania where you have the opportunity to do a safari by foot. On this walk, you will be accompanied by an armed ranger to give you an insightful explanation of your days’ sightings. Among the wildlife expected on this walk includes; Buffalo, waterbuck, giraffe, warthog, zebra, bush-buck and of course the naughty baboons can be seen all year round as well as many different bird species.
The Arusha walking safari takes 2 to 3 hours during which you cross the Jekukumia River and visit a beautiful waterfall where you can take a refreshing ‘shower’. The shadowy Montane forest is inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys, many colourful birds and is the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white Colobus monkey is often seen.
- Canoe safari on the scenic Momella Lakes.
Enjoy a peaceful and scenic canoeing safari following the shorelines of small Momella Lakes. On this 2- 2.5 hours canoe safari you can view buffaloes, bushbuck, giraffes, hippos and many water birds living in and close to the water.
The best time to visit
Wildlife viewing in Arusha National Park is good throughout the year but is at its best in the Dry season, from late June to October. The beautiful scenery is most impressive in the Wet season, from November to May, although March and April can be very wet and with grey skies.
Passport & Visa Requirements
Entry requirements can change, so please contact your local Tanzania Embassy to verify the information below is current.
Getting in & around
From your home country, you will fly in through Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) about 56km/35mi to Arusha city. The journey onward from Arusha town to Arusha National Park is approximately 51km/32mi – about 1.5hours drive along the Himo – Momella road.
Arusha City is a relatively compact city and further transportation within the city is usually done by road, though our Tanzania safaris include one or more flights. Realm Africa Safaris™ will collect you from the airport or hotel and further transportation will be part of your pre-booked your safari.
