What to Do In Arusha National Park
What to Do In Arusha National Park ? Arusha National Park (sometimes written Ngurdoto Crater National Park) is situated 25 km east of the city of Arusha, north of Tanzania and 35 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport and 58 km from Moshi. The park is famous for being the home to Mount Meru—the second-highest mountain in Tanzania and the largest population of giraffe in the world.
Spanning approximately 137 square kilometers, the park encompasses areas such as Ngurdoto Crater and Mount Meru. It was formerly the Ngurdoto Crater National Park when it was gazetted in 1960, renamed Arusha National Park in 1967. The locally known term “Arusha,” which is where the name was derived from, was from the local Warusha residents who lived in this place.
There are plenty of visitors’ amenities like picnic areas, camping facilities and lodges, which allow tourists to relish their tour of this park without going through a lot of difficulties. It is also around 148 km from Tarangire National Park, which is a 1.5-hour drive. However, this article presents to you some of the tourism activities to do while in a Tanzania safari in arusha national park in 2026 and they include
Canoeing tours
Canoeing in Arusha National Park is an activity that can be done to explore the park’s beautiful waters, especially around Momella Lakes, in a quiet manner. For visitors interested in canoeing while taking part in enjoying the different bird species and quiet environment, this activity will not disappoint you.
For nature-loving visitors interested in experiencing different environments while on tour at Arusha National Park, this activity will offer just that because the waters offer beautiful scenery and relaxation while paddling canoes. Since there are numerous bird species residing within these waters like herons and flamingos, among others, for visitors interested in bird-watching, this activity will not disappoint either because these visitors get to see these different birds within their habitats.
Climbing Mt. Meru
Climbing Mt. Meru is one of the most exciting adventures in Arusha National Park. It is an especially difficult mountain with a height of 4,562 meters; hence, it comes second among the highest mountains found in Tanzania. It takes about 3 to 4 days to climb to the top of this magnificent mountain; hence, it would only appeal to those with enough experience when it comes to mountain climbing and adventure tours.
While climbing Mt. Meru, visitors get to encounter different plant species and animals, such as colobus monkeys, buffalos, and elephants, among others, hence providing an adventure activity like no other that would appeal to those interested in and yet to explore so much of nature’s creations.
Nature walks
Nature walks in Arusha National Park are an excellent way to discover more about the park’s diverse biodiversity. There exist several nature walks available at Arusha National Park; these include Momella Lakes trail nature walks and Ngurdoto Crater nature walks.
These guided nature walks offer visitors an opportunity to get close encounters with animals like giraffes, buffalo, and different types of antelope species. Apart from these large animals, visitors get an opportunity to encounter other small creatures like different bird species and diverse plant life while engaging in nature walks at Arusha National Park. These walks can therefore offer visitors valuable knowledge about different plants and animals encountered while at Arusha National Park.
Game viewing
Game viewing experience in Arusha National Park is a highlight for many visitors. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including giraffe, Cape buffalo, waterbuck, warthog, leopard, elephant, zebra, dik-dik, hippopotamus, klipspringer, baboon, blue monkey, eland, spotted hyena and black and white colobus, all of which can be spotted while on your game drive safari. For those interested in seeing these animals closely and taking pics that would win awards anywhere around the globe, safaris can be done using open vehicles. Since different animals roam at different times when these places get adequate sunlight, morning and evening hours can be an appropriate time to go for game viewing within Arusha National Park or any other park for that matter.
Birdwatching
Bird watching in Arusha National Park can never be missed on your checklist if you are passionate about these creatures. The park hosts over 400 species of different bird types like hued flamingos, African fish eagles, African olive pigeons, Silvery-cheeked hornbills, Egyptian geese, Augur buzzard, Bar-tailed trogons, Bearded vulture, Black saw-wings, Cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, Great crested grebes, Hamerkops, white-browed coucals, bronzy sunbirds, pied avocets, red-billed oxpeckers, great-headed bush shrikes, pelicans, golden eagles, yellow-billed storks and more.
While on your bird-watching activities at Arusha National Park, you get to tour different areas like lakes, forests, and grasslands with varieties of different bird species with vibrant colors, which are rare to find anywhere else around the globe. Therefore, at Arusha National Park, you get to enjoy a quiet experience with an opportunity to encounter the stunning bird species found only in Africa.
Cycling tours
Cycling tours in Arusha National Park offer a fun and exciting activity that can be used to explore the park’s environment and wildlife. Cycling paths that visitors can follow when on tours lead to different parts of the park or areas of beauty such as savannahs and forests around lakes.
By engaging in this activity, visitors can get an opportunity to get closer to nature while still enjoying park tours at their own pace. Those who participate in these tours can get to breathe fresh air while observing animals like giraffes and antelope or enjoying the beauty of nature. Cycling tours can therefore offer adventure lovers an exciting experience while enjoying nature at Arusha National Park.
What is the best time to visit Arusha National Park
The best time to visit Arusha National Park depends primarily on what you want to do and see. The dry season, June to October, is best for game viewing and outdoor activities. With drier and cooler weather, animals tend to congregate around water holes, making them easier to see. It’s also great when the bush is less thick; you will be able to see better during game drives and walks. It’s also an ideal time for birdwatching when most migratory birds are in.
Accommodation safari in Arusha National Park
There’s also a suitable range of places to stay in Arusha National Park if you want to get out of town. Among the very best are Ilboru Safari Lodge, Moyoni Lodge, Zawadi House, Palace Hotel Arusha, Lush Garden Hotel, Shu’mate Camp, Maasi Giraffe Eco Lodge, Kiota Nest, Itikoni Seasonal Camp, Momella Wildlife Lodge, L’Oasis Lodge and Restaurant Arusha, Rivertrees Country Inn, African View Lodge, Twiga Lodge, Kilimanjaro Eco Lodge, Arusha Coffee Lodge and more.
How to get to Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is a 45-minute drive from the town of Arusha, which is where many people begin their safaris in northern Tanzania. The simplest way to get to the park is to fly straight into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), located approximately 50 kilometers away. It is a one-and-a-half-hour drive from there to Arusha. You can also arrive at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam and then catch a domestic flight to Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport.
By road travel is also a good option. There are regular buses from all parts of Tanzania to Arusha. If you’re arriving from Zanzibar, take a ferry or a domestic flight to Dar es Salaam, then catch a bus from the Ubungo bus station to Arusha. The road trip is picturesque and exhilarating as you prepare yourselves for the safari adventure.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about a Tanzania safari in Arusha National Park and Book with our tours and travel companies, such as Elephant Whispers Safari, who offer the best tour packages while you are on your safari in Tanzania.
