Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is found in Tanzania and resides within the Meru and Arusha Rural Districts of the Arusha Region. It protects Mt. Meru, which is a famous volcano with a height of 4,566 meters above sea level. Although it’s relatively small compared to other national parks located in Tanzania, it exhibits diverse landscape features backing different types of environments.
Arusha National Park covers an area of 137 sq. km. On the west side, there’s Meru Crater with the Jekukumia River passing through it; Mt. Meru itself towers on the sides of this crater. In the southeast part of Arusha National Park, there’s Ngurdoto Crater with large grasslands. Lastly, at the northeast part of Arusha National Park, there are shallow Momella Lakes with vibrant colors due to algae growth; it’s also inhabited by wading birds.
Mountain Meru is the second highest peak in Tanzania after Kilimanjaro Mountain, which lies approximately 60 km away and can easily be viewed from within the park. The park covers an extended distance of 300 kilometers that connects other major African park types located westward at Serengeti-Ngorongoro Crater, while others lie eastward at Kilimanjaro National Park. It is close to Arusha town because it only lies a few kilometers northeast of Arusha town; the park’s major entrance point is located 25 km east of Arusha town. It can also easily access Moshi town situated 58 km away; it’s approximately 35 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
The vegetation in Arusha National Park
The landscape of vegetation in Arusha National Park is different in various regions. The lower regions of the park are dominated by savannah – a mixture of open grasslands and acacia woodlands. Many of the plant species are grazed upon by the large population of herbivores and are scattered with shrubs such as whistling thorns. Ascending the slopes of Mount Meru, you reach montane forest. These are moist, lush forests with areas dominated by podocarpus trees, olive, fig and juniper. The trees are frequently draped with orchids and moss, resulting in a green and lively environment.
Lower montane forests consist of both evergreen and deciduous trees. Around the Ngurdoto Crater, the landscape is tropical and planted with marshes, swamps and grasses, with forested hills visible in the background. The Momella lakes region consists of wetlands and marshes, where tall grasses and water plants such as papyrus are found on the shores of the lakes. On Mount Meru, pioneer vegetation is alpine – hardy shrubs, heathers and grasses that withstand the cold. Giant lobelias and groundsels, plants that are peculiar for this high-altitude zone are found here.
Wildlife in Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park has a rather small range of animals to see when compared to other parks. One of its claims to fame is having the largest giraffe population in the world. You can also see elephants, Cape buffalo, warthogs, bush pigs, waterbucks, bushbucks, duikers, dik-diks, spotted hyenas, leopards and lions. Black and white colobus monkeys and blue monkeys also occur in the park. Even birders will like that there are about 400 species of birds in the park – including a few endemics, plus forest, and migrant birds. You can also expect to see some of the following birds flamingos, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, great crested grebes, African fish eagles, peregrine falcons, Verreaux’s eagles, black saw-wings, African olive pigeons, Hartlaub’s turacos, Egyptian geese, red-fronted parrots, tawny eagles, Narina trogons, bearded vultures, scaly francolins, bar-tailed trogons, silvery-cheeked hornbills, yellow-billed storks, white-browed coucals, red-billed oxpeckers, and bronzy sunbirds.
Tourism activities in Arusha National Park
Game drives
Game drives at Arusha National Park is one of the most sought after activities for tourists. Game drives in the offers an opportunity to view the wildlife of Africa on the plains, in jungles, or even on desolate deserts. Most of the game drives are carried out in comfortable 4×4 land cruisers, more so in the vicinity of Ngurdoto Crater and the surrounding forests. Some of the animals that can be spotted during game drive include; giraffes, buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, leopards, elephants, zebras, dik-diks, hippopotamuses, klipspringers, baboons, blue monkeys, elands, hyenas and lions can also be sighted but on rare occasions. Primates that can be spotted include Black and white colobus and blue monkeys around the Ngurdoto museum. The best game drive schedules are early in the morning or late in the afternoon when game is raised and is easier to view.
Canoeing safaris
Canoeing safaris in Arusha National Park are conducted on Small Momella Lake, one of the seven lakes in the region. It’s really a once in a lifetime treats! With Mount Meru behind, these lakes are also good places to spot birds! Canoeing safaris have the advantage of enabling you to see areas of the wilderness that are inaccessible while on game drives or walking safaris. In the course of paddling, you may also see hippopotamuses, waterbucks, and elephants that come out of the thick cover surrounding the lake. You also have the chance to see water birds and other animals. This canoeing expeditions take 2 to 3 hours and is another way to appreciate the beauty of Arusha National Park.
Nature walks
Nature walks in this park is a calming experience as there are no predators. The walks are led by park rangers and take you through a variety of forest and open grassland habitats. Animals such as colobus monkeys and a large number of giraffes are visible on the route. It is a great opportunity to spot a variety of birds, too. Situated on the slopes of Mount Meru, the park is surrounded by waterfalls, lakes and dense green forests. One highlight of the walk is the ascent up Tululusia Hill, a former lookout during Tanzania’s tribal wars. From the top of the hill you have a sweeping view of the lower regions of Arusha National Park.
Birdwatching
Arusha National Park is a birdwatcher’s haven, with more than 400 species. On your birding trip, you will also be able to spot some of these colorful birds such as Flamingos, Cinnamon chested bee-eater, Great crested grebe, African fish eagle, Peregrine falcon, Verreaux’s eagle, Black saw-wing, African olive pigeon, Hartaub’s turaco, Egyptian goose, Red –fronted parrot, Tawny eagle, Narina trogon, Bearded vulture, scaly francolin, Bar-tailed trogon, silvery cheeked hornbill, yellow billed storks, white browed coucals, red billed oxpeckers and bronzy sunbirds among others.
Climbing Mount Meru
Climbing Mount Meru is a thrilling experience in Tanzania. An ancient volcano, Mount Meru lies some 70 kilometers west of Kilimanjaro in the southeastern Arusha Region. It has an altitude of approximately 4,562m (14,968ft) above sea level. Among our guides was also a look you can see Mount Meru from Kilimanjaro on a clear day.
It’s considered the fifth highest mountain in Africa based on how you count it. Many tourists do come to hike here for its breathtaking cliff views, abundant wildlife, and verdant landscapes. Hiking normally takes around 4 days and ascent some 3 days. The slopes are inhabited by elephants, rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, white colobus monkeys and leopards. There are more than 400 species of birds in the region, so if you are a nature enthusiast, this is definitely a place to visit and experience.
Biking tour
Biking tour is in the park is a fun and exhilarating way to get around the area, and one that’s overlooked by many on safari. In a matter of a few hours, you can discover the variety of habitats nature has to offer while enjoying the landscape, and taking a glimpse of the wild.
Horse riding safaris
Horse riding safaris make your visit to the wild more authentic and immersive. This form of riding provides a special kind of experience, quite unlike any other tourist activity, as you become more in tune with the surroundings.
Cultural visit
The cultural interactions in the park, including trips to local villages, constitute a worthwhile part of your Tanzania tour. The region is inhabited by tribes such as the Maasai and Chaga, each having different traditions, crafts and ways of life. Here, you can explore their history and traditions and even engage in pursuits like traditional dance, painting classes, cooking sessions, or making beads. It is a wonderful method to privately engage with their expansive and lively culture.
Best time to visit park
The park is open for visits throughout the year, based on what you wish to observe. Bird watching is popular in Arusha National Park. The best time to come for this is November to December and March to May when there are many migratory birds coming from Africa and Europe. Dry season is the best time to visit if you want to observe wildlife, and it takes place between June and October. And if you’re planning to climb Mount Meru, January and February are your best bets.
How to access the park
The park is accessible by road and air. From Arusha town, it is a 45-minute drive by road to the park. If you’d rather fly, take a brief domestic flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha Airport (20 minutes).
