Sometimes the best adventures are hidden in plain sight. Many people focus on the big national parks like Serengeti when planning their Tanzania Safari Trips. However, a small distance away is a gem called Arusha National Park. This hidden gem is composed of incredible biodiversity and volcanic craters. It’s a park full of wildlife, including endangered species like the colobus monkey.
The Arusha National Park can provide a complete experience of what an African Safari Tanzania could be. You can get to see a stunning variety of landscapes and animals in just a single day. This park proves that you do not need large plains for a great experience.
A trip to Arusha National Park is a perfect start or add-on adventure to any Tanzania Safari Tours. Our team at African Scenic Safaris has had extensive firsthand experience in guiding tours here for 16 years. They know the best paths and nice spots to view animals. Let us uncover why Arusha is perfect for all types of visitors.
Arusha National Park At A Glance
Arusha National Park is found beneath Mount Meru and covers over 137 square kilometers. It is very close to Arusha City and one of the easiest parks to reach. The park is packed with an amazing diversity of animal species and vegetation despite being small. That makes it be called a hidden jewel.
The park’s landscape is covered with:
- Montane forest: the forest contains thick and green woods that feel ancient and alive. The forest is an important water catchment in the park.
- Alkaline lakes: underground streams in the park feed the Momella-Seen Lake. This lake is made up of seven shallow lakes. The Momella lakes include Tulusia, Lekandiro, Rishateni, Kusare, El Kekhotoito, small Momella, and big Momella.
- Volcanic craters: just like the Ngorongoro Crater, the Ngurdoto Crater in the park is home to several wild animal species.
Few places offer this much variety in a single day
Wildlife And Unique Experiences
The park has unique wildlife despite not having all of the Big Five. Arusha National Park has black and white colobus monkeys. The park hosts these monkey species as part of its endangered wildlife. They have long white tails and are fun to watch as they jump through trees.
Guests can regularly see:
- Giraffes feeding on trees
- Large groups of buffalo
- Thousands of pink flamingoes on the Momella lakes
- Rare species like bushbucks
- Over 400 identified bird species.
One happy traveler shared a highlight of Safari Tanzania:
“We were thrilled to see giraffes walking near the lakes”
While the experience at Arusha National Park is unique, the park gives a wonderful contrast to other parks like Serengeti and Tarangire. You can read more on our Serengeti and Tarangire Blogs to have a detailed comparison of the parks.
Must-Visit Attractions Inside The Park
The park has some very special places, and each gives a different experience. These are some of the must-visit attractions we recommend.
- The Momella lakes – You can take a calm canoe safari and have an opportunity to view the flamingos at a close distance.
- Ngurdoto Crater – This deep volcanic caldera has a swampy floor attracting a lot of wild animals. There are no game drives into the crater, but guests can have spectacular views from the top. People call it “Little Ngorongoro”.
- Mount Meru trails – Mount Meru is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania. The slopes of the mountain are well protected. Guests can trek at the base of the mountain and enjoy views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
“The best views of Kilimanjaro are often from the Meru’s slopes”
TANAPA instructs that an armed park ranger should be there when hiking. For more hiking data and safety guidelines, please visit: https://www.br.tzembassy.go.tz/uploads/documents/COVID_2020-_TANAPA.pdf
Activities Beyond Game Drives
Arusha National Park is one of the best places in Tanzania to do activities apart from game drives. This makes it a perfect choice for an Arusha Safari. The good thing is that the park offers more than just game drives.
The following are Things to Do in Arusha National Park:
- Walking safaris: These are guided walks through the park. Walking around the park lets you smell the park and see the smallest details of the park.
- Birdwatching: This park is a paradise for bird enthusiasts. You will get to know different species of birds, their behaviors, and habitats.
- Cultural visits: Guests can get a chance to visit nearby villages. African Scenic Safaris guides teach our clients how to have respectful interactions with the locals. This means asking before taking photos or buying, among many other tips.
Planning Your Arusha Safari
To have a remarkable experience, you should consider the following when planning for a safari:
Best time to visit
One of the keys in planning your Arusha Safari is knowing when to go, which is the key to the safari. You can visit the park at any time, but the best time is during the dry season. If you want to have the best birdwatching experience, you can visit during the wet season.
Accessibility
Arusha National Park is only 40 minutes away from the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA). Guests can use public transport or a taxi to reach the park.
Entry fees
These are the Arusha National Park fees for entry set by TANAPA.
NATIONAL PARK | PEAK SEASON | LOW SEASON | ||||
| E.A. citizen(Tsh) | Non-E.A. Citizen(USD) | Expatriate/ TZ Residents(USD) | E.A. citizen(Tsh) | Non-E. A. Citizen(USD) | Expatriate/ TZ Residents(USD) | |
| Arusha Adults Children aged 5-15 | 100002000 | 5015 | 357.5 | 100002000 | 4515 | 22.57.5 |
Recommended stay
Arusha Day Trips allows guests to have a view of the park’s stunning wildlife in a day. But we recommend an overnight stay to have an even better experience.
Accommodation
Guests can stay in eco-lodges found around the park. These lodges ensure that the activities they carry out maintain sustainability.
Pair Arusha with Tarangire or Ngorongoro for a perfect short circuit.
Our experts can craft Tanzania Safari Packages that can allow you to have a mix of two or more park experiences. Pairing your Arusha Safari with a Serengeti or Tarangire safari creates a remarkable Safari in Tanzania.
Conservation And Sustainability
Tourism plays a role in protecting Arusha National Park. The fees collected by TANAPA fund anti-poaching and wildlife monitoring programs. Your visit directly contributes to these conservation efforts.
Moreover, African Scenic Safaris participates in community projects around the park. In addition, we support initiatives that benefit both the environment and the people who live nearby. As a result, this helps everyone value the park and work together to conserve it.
Go For Your Arusha Safari
Arusha National Park is a stunning and often overlooked national park. This park offers a unique blend of wildlife and landscapes. A trip to the park can prove that Tanzania Safari Trips are more than just the Big Five.
Therefore, we highly recommend you include this park in your travel plans. After all, it is only a single park but offers a thousand experiences. So, do not skip a trip to this beautiful park. Finally, contact African Scenic Safaris to start planning your trip.
