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Often overlooked in favor of its famous northern neighbors, Arusha National Park is a breathtakingly beautiful and incredibly diverse hidden treasure. Located just a short drive from the city of Arusha, it offers a completely different safari experience, blending serene landscapes, easy wildlife viewing, and active adventure. With Nature Safari, discover this accessible park where the dramatic backdrop of Mount Meru meets tranquil lakes and lush rainforests.
Arusha National Park has a layered history. The area was originally part of the homeland of the Meru and Maasai people. The core of the park, the Ngurdoto Crater, was initially established as the Ngurdoto Crater National Park in 1960.
Shortly after, in 1967, it was merged with the majestic Mount Meru and the tranquil Momella Lakes to form the present-day Arusha National Park. This consolidation created a uniquely varied protected area that showcases three distinct ecosystems within a relatively small space.
Covering just 137 square kilometers (53 square miles), it is one of Tanzania’s smaller parks, but its compact size is its greatest strength. It provides a stunning and convenient introduction to the Northern Safari Circuit, offering a rich taste of Tanzania’s natural beauty without the long travel times.
Arusha National Park is the ultimate park for active exploration and intimate wildlife encounters.
Explore the Ngurdoto Crater
Often called the “Little Ngorongoro,” this is a shallow, swamp-filled crater. While vehicles cannot descend to the floor, the surrounding forest road offers spectacular viewpoints from the rim. From here, you can look down and spot herds of buffalo, elephants, warthogs, and baboons.
Canoe Safari on Momella Lakes
This is one of the park’s most unique and unforgettable experiences. A silent, guided canoe trip on one of the alkaline Momella Lakes allows you to glide past flocks of flamingos, waterbuck, giraffes coming to drink, and hippos basking in the shallows. The views of Mount Meru and, on a clear day, Kilimanjaro from the water are simply breathtaking.
Hike the Slopes of Mount Meru
As Tanzania’s second-highest peak at 4,566 meters (14,980 feet), Mount Meru is a world-class hiking destination. A multi-day trek up its fertile slopes takes you through montane forest teeming with wildlife, including colobus monkeys, tropical birds, and even the occasional elephant or buffalo. The summit climb is challenging but incredibly rewarding, offering a spectacular view of Kilimanjaro at sunrise.
Wildlife Viewing
While you won’t find lions in great numbers (they are rare and elusive here) and there are no rhinos, the park is home to a rich array of other species:
Giraffes: Large herds of Masai giraffe.
Buffalo: Big herds are commonly seen.
Colobus Monkeys: The park is one of the best places in Tanzania to see the striking black-and-white Angolan colobus monkey, often spotted tumbling through the canopy.
Zebras, Warthogs, and Bushbucks: Abundant on the grasslands.
Birdlife: Over 400 species of birds, from the vibrant turaco to flocks of flamingos on the lakes.
A Park of Three-in-One: It uniquely encompasses the Ngurdoto Crater, the Momella Lakes, and the mighty Mount Meru within a single, compact park.
Home to Mount Meru: This active stratovolcano is the fifth-highest mountain in Africa and serves as a spectacular preparation climb for Mount Kilimanjaro.
The “Little Ngorongoro”: The Ngurdoto Crater provides a similar, intimate crater-viewing experience, but on a smaller, more accessible scale.
A Birdwatcher’s Delight: The variety of habitats, from forest to lake, supports an astonishing diversity of birdlife for its size.
Tanzania’s Best Canoeing Safari: It is one of the very few national parks in Tanzania where guided canoe safaris are a regular activity.
A Hollywood Backdrop: The forest surrounding the Ngurdoto Crater was used as a filming location for the 1962 classic film Hatari! starring John Wayne.
Best Time to Visit:
Year-Round: The park is accessible and beautiful throughout the year.
Dry Seasons (Jun-Oct & Dec-Feb): The best time for clearer views of Meru and Kilimanjaro, and for hiking.
Wet Seasons (Mar-May & Nov): The landscape is lush and green, birdlife is prolific, and the park is at its most serene with fewer visitors.
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