Arusha National Park : One of Tanzania’s less well-known wildlife and hiking safari locations is Arusha National Park, which is tucked between Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro. It features heavily forested areas, remote lakes, wildlife safaris, well-known hiking trails, and more. The towering Mount Meru, a nearly flawless volcanic cone with a large, striking crater, dominates the park’s topography. The Ngurdoto Crater, which is protected by the mountain, is home to a variety of endangered forest birds and colobus monkeys, which are also found on its heavily forested slopes.
Many visitors to Mont Kilimanjaro national park, Serengeti national park and Ngorongoro crater make it a point to descend into charming Arusha and take in the illustrious wildlife park’s rich natural history, and culture. Although it may not have as much wildlife activity as the other Tanzania northern safari parks, it more than makes up for it with stunning panoramas, exhilarating hiking trails, and other outdoor activities.
In this article, We’ll cover Arusha national park safari guides which includes thoughts on Arusha’s rich history, the ideal times to visit, the price of an Arusha safari, how to get to Arusha, affordable and upscale lodging options in and around Arusha, the city’s plentiful wildlife, and other picturesque locations you can visit nearby.
ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK FAQS
Why Arusha is called “The Geneva of Africa”?
Because it serves as the starting point for tourists going on safari in Tanzania, the town of Arusha is referred to as “The Geneva of Africa.” One of Tanzania’s fastest-growing cities and the model for urban life is the throbbing metropolis of Arusha. The untamed natural beauty that extends beyond Arusha’s boundaries contrasts sharply with the city.
Other famous places, like Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Karatu, are all accessible from Arusha and are no more than a two-hour drive away. Arusha National Park is merely 552 square kilometers in size and is located 32 kilometers to the east of the named town. Even if you decide against taking a safari excursion, your trip to Arusha will be one to remember.
When is the best time to visit Arusha National Park?
Summer (June-October): Arusha National Park is best visited between June and October during the dry season. Animals are easier to notice since the foliage is sparser and there is less water available. The dry months have another benefit of fewer mosquitoes, which ultimately results in a lower risk of contracting malaria.
Because of its location close to Mount Meru’s foothills and an elevation of roughly 1300 meters, Arusha experiences a temperate climate. The park is typically verdant and green all year long and contains a sizable portion of forest; safaris can be successful even during the rainy season.
Winter (November-May): Arusha National Park experiences two distinct wet seasons. Between November and December, there is a “brief rain” season with occasional showers that typically pass swiftly. The lengthy, rainy days of the wet season, which lasts from March to May, make outdoor activities and safaris difficult to enjoy. During this time, most lodges also close their doors. The wet season is when the scenery is at its most breathtaking, and because many lodges offer low-season rates, lodging is more reasonably priced.
How much does an Arusha National Park safari cost?
Arusha safaris range in price from $300 for a low-cost Tanzania safari to $950 for a high-end Tanzania safari. In addition, visitors to Arusha National Park have the option of choosing a Tanzania camping safari. Due to its size, most visitors stay in this national park for 1-2 days. Additionally, excursions are sometimes paired with visits to other well-liked tourist attractions nearby, such as Mount Meru, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the other national parks of the Northern Circuit (Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro).
Arusha has a magnificent safari park that is just waiting to be explored. If you’re lucky, safaris through the plains will allow you to see Cape buffalo, different antelope, and the occasional elephant, rhino, and leopard. The chance to go mountain biking, canoeing, and on walking safaris adds to the park’s attractiveness.
How do I get to Arusha National Park?
Flying to Kilimanjaro International Airport, the main entrance point for tourists entering northern Tanzania, is the best route to reach Arusha National Park. This airport is located 60 kilometers east of Arusha. It takes only a few minutes by bus to get to the park or the town of Arusha from the airport. Tourists can also use a small domestic airport that is located to the west of Arusha itself for their excursions.
What accommodation is there in or near Arusha National Park?
There are numerous places to stay in and around Arusha National Park. Some of Tanzania’s top resorts and lodges may be found in Africa’s “Safari Capital” (Tanzania). Since Arusha National Park is so close, most park visitors find it makes sense to stay in the town rather than the park, where lodging options are limited. Here are our top five picks for places to stay near Arusha National Park:
- Four Points by Sheraton (The Arusha Hotel)
- Africa Lodge (Arusha)
- Hotel Mount Meru
- Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge.
- Lake Duluti Lodge
The Arusha Hotel is the most well-known lodging option in the city. The hotel’s renowned bar, which John Wayne frequently frequented in the 1960s when filming “Hatari,” will make visitors feel as though they have been transported back in time.
For discerning enthusiasts of wildlife and the natural world, Mount Meru Game Lodge and Wildlife Sanctuary serves as a refuge. The lodge offers a wonderful backdrop to the local wildlife, and the sanctuary was established as a place where injured and orphaned animals may find refuge.
Arusha Coffee Lodge, Arusha Safari Lodge, Kigongoni Lodge, and Lake Duluti Serena Hotel are a few additional hotels located near the town of Arusha that offer distinctive and unforgettable visits. In addition to beautiful semi-permanent tents, Africa Safari Lake Natron offers camping and caravanning choices just outside the park.
One of the few lodges located inside the boundaries of the National Park is Hatari Lodge. Nine rooms are available at this elegant hotel, which is located in an acacia bush. The main building’s terraces provide access to views of Mount Meru. Additionally, guests can partake in expertly conducted wildlife drives and walks.
What other scenic spots can I visit near Arusha National Park?
You’re in luck since there are lots of beautiful places nearby Arusha National Park that you may visit. If going on wildlife safari isn’t your thing, you can always go on one of the wonderful hiking paths in the park, travel to Mount Meru, and go birdwatching at the Momella Lakes.
MOUNT MERU
With a peak elevation of 4556 meters, Mount Meru is Tanzania’s second-highest mountain and the fifth-highest mountain in all of Africa. Because of its proximity to Mount Kilimanjaro, it can be a great option for climbers seeking to acclimatize before attempting one of the Seven Summits of the globe.
It is still strongly debated who made the first climb of Mount Meru, although the consensus is that it was either Carl Uhlig or Fritz Jaeger in 1904. It should not be confused with Mount Meru, which is located in the Himalayas and the setting of the 2015 film “Meru.” The following are to be aware of regarding Mount Meru:
- Its background formation
- The route
- Challenges of the climb
The mountain’s attraction is enhanced by the fact that it is still an active volcano. Approximate dating places the mountain’s first explosion at 500,000 years old. The eastern rim of the peak was broken, and the explosion destroyed half of the mountain. In its wake, the recognizable 5 km wide ruptured caldera was left. It last erupted in 1910, but it is currently dormant.
It is interesting to explore the Ash Cone, a different summit that was created during the 1910 eruption. Most hikers will descend all the way to the Miriakamba Hut or return directly to the gate after taking in the summit’s unmatched views.
The Momella Route is the only way to climb the mountain. The initial part of the hike, which begins near the Momella Gate, travels through grasslands and forests with waterfalls and wildlife. Along the path up to the summit, there are two huts:
- The first night on the mountain is best spent at Miriakamba Hut, which is about a five-to-six-hour walk from the entrance.
- The second hut, Saddle Hut, is typically where guests stay on the second night.
Climbers will maneuver their way past Rhino and Cobra Point on the last day of the trip, taking in vistas of the Tanzanian highlands as the dawn gradually brightens the plains below. The hike’s last stretch includes a thrilling passage along the crater rim trail, especially when the peak is covered in snow. With a 1500-meter plunge to the crater floor on one side and Tanzania’s wide plains spreading out on the other, the vista from the peak is stunning.
Even though technical climbing equipment is not required, Meru is high enough to cause the effects of altitude sickness. It is a difficult climb in and of itself. Most ascents require three to four days, a guide, and often porters. To reduce the risk of assaults by wild animals, armed rangers accompany trekking parties throughout the whole journey.
MOMELLA LAKES
The Momella Lakes provide a welcome diversion from Tanzania’s typically arid and dusty scenery. Canoes can be used to explore the serene waterways while admiring the breathtaking views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, which is 70 km to the west and has a snow-capped peak.
The Ngurdoto Crater’s woodland trails offer 50 kilometers of footpaths that snake through the heart of the bush. Hikers may ascend the crater rim and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the plains and forest below thanks to the lovely network of pathways.
What animals can I see in Arusha National Park?
Animals can still be seen in and around Arusha National Park in spite of its modest size. Among these creatures, flamingos and monkeys stand out in this particular African environment.
The Monkey Population in Arusha National Park: The opportunity to see the black and white colobus monkeys performing their acrobatics high up in the canopies that decorate the Ngurdoto crater’s edge is one of the park’s attractions for many people. The spooky monkey sounds that echo through the trees can be heard as you go through the forest.
In Arusha, sightings of blue or diademed monkeys have also been highly desired. These residents of central and east Africa, who belong to the “old world monkey” family, are a rare find.
Pink Flamingos in Momella Lakes: The Momella Lakes are noteworthy for their distinctive aquatic life and ecosystems as well as their assortment of hiking trails that go through picturesque woodlands to the Ngurdoto Crater. The woodland areas are home to a variety of water fowl, with spectacular pink flamingo colonies being a personal favorite.
