Hiking, Walking safari, Game drive, Nighttime safari ,Rock climbing, Ziplining, Cycling, Picnic spot, Sundowners, Star gazing, Bird watching, Cultural visit to the adjacent Masai tribe
Arusha National Park is dominated by Mount Meru ( 4,562 m ), Tanzania’s second-highest peak after Mt Kilimanjaro. The popular climb takes four days. A day hike to Meru Crater is less challenging, but very rewarding too.
Wildlife viewing is rather low-key, but the varied landscapes, flocks of flamingos and superb forest birding make the park a great addition to a Northern circuit safari.
The Momella Lakes area is best for seeing buffalo, giraffe, defassa waterbuck and Kirk’s dik-dik. There is less general wildlife in the forest areas of the park but keep your eyes open for bushbuck and the beautiful, but very shy, Harvey’s red duiker. If you’re lucky you might see elephants too. The park’s flagship animal is the Kilimanjaro colobus, a type of monkey that only otherwise occurs on Mt Kilimanjaro and in two obscure forests in Kenya.
Arusha National Park waterfall.
Arusha National Park is only a 45-minute* drive from the town of Arusha, the starting point of any safari in northern Tanzania.
There are several ways to get to Arusha. The easiest is to get a direct flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is situated about 50km/31mi from Arusha. The drive from the airport to Arusha takes about 1½ hours*. Alternatively, you can fly to Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam and get a connecting domestic flight to Arusha Airport (ARK) or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
In most cases, your tour operator will pick you up from the airport and take care of further transportation.
When to Go & Getting There
The best way to get to Arusha National Park is by driving, it is only a 45-minute drive from Arusha, the beginning point of any northern circuit safari in Tanzania. The best time to visit Arusha National Park is from June to September and December to March during the dry seasons.
Wildlife spotting and other activities are the most enjoyable at this time of year, and it lines up with The Great Migration if you plan on doing the Serengeti too. March and April, and October to December are the wet seasons, and it is advised to avoid these months, as rain can ruin or lead to cancellations of planned activities.
Where to Stay
The Kili Villa is a luxurious retreat situated on a golf and wildlife estate close to the park and only 30 mins from Arusha International Airport. On offer are three exclusive villas, as well as individual luxury rooms.
Each Villa is distinctively decorated to showcase the best local African design and craftsmanship combined with colonial-style furniture. This lodge offers horse riding, Canoeing and Game drives.
Alternatively, The River Trees Country Inn is a charming country estate that was once an old coffee farm. It still maintains the nostalgic air of a well-loved homestead.
Sprawling across ten acres on Mount Meru’s sloping foothills, beautifully rustic cottages are dotted along the river and nestled under tall trees. Lush lawns and birdsong add to the tranquil surroundings.
The restaurant concocts tasty meals of garden-fresh ingredients, old family recipes, and oven-fired pizzas. Delicious candle-lit dinners are served by the warmth of the fireplace or under the stars on the patio.
Safari in Arusha National Park
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.