Attractions of Arusha National park : Arusha National park is a park found in Tanzania , near the town of Arusha. The park was established to cover Mount Meru the second highest mountain in Tanzania after Mount kilimanjaro. Mount Meru has an elevation of 4566 Metres above sea level. The park has an area of 137 kilometres square, It was established in 1960 and it is managed by Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). The park has beautiful sceneries and landscapes that were formed as the result of volcanic activities when Mount Meru last erupted. Arusha National park is just 60 kilometres from Mount Kilimanjaro which has the backdrop view from the park to the east. Arusha National park is just 25 kilometres to the park’s main gate from the town of Arusha ,it also lies 300 kilometres in one of the world most famous wildlife axis from Ngorongoro crater to the west, Serengeti National park, and Kilimanjaro National Park to the east. Arusha National park is 35 kilometres from Kilimanjaro international Airport and 58 kilometres from the town of Moshi. The park being just a few minutes drive away, offer various accommodation facilities to choose from luxurious hotels, midrange to Budget accommodations. What makes Arusha National park unique is because it has the largest population of Giraffes. The other main attractions of Arusha National park is the ancient fig trees crystal clear water in flowing mountains streams and a chance to spot the black and white colobus monkeys.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru is a Stratovolcano which is 70 kilometres west of Mount Kilimanjaro. The mountain has a height of 4562 metres which is equivalent to 14,968 feet . It is the 5th highest mountain in Africa and it is visible from Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day. It is recorded to have lastly erupted October to December in 1910, the first person to ascent it is Fritz jáger in 1904. The Momela route through the Momella gate which is in the eastern side is used for hiking the mountain. It is the centrepiece and the main major attraction of the Arusha National park. The topography is amazing with fertile soil supporting a forest which hosts a number of wildlife species. From the savannah to the Forest area of the park is habitat for various animals including the black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkey ,rarely spotted leopards and birds of all kind.
Ngurdoto crater
This is a volcanic crater found in the Meru District in Arusha region Tanzania. Ngurdoto crater has a diameter of 3.6 kilometres diameter as its widest and 100 metres deep in depth. The crater is surrounded by a forest while the floor of the crater has a swamp.
Momela lakes
Momela lakes are seven shallow lakes which are found within Arusha National park. These lakes are namely; Big Momela, small Momela, Kusare, Risheteni, Lekandiro, Tulusia and El kekhotoito. The entrance is at Momela village located in Meru District in the Arusha region in Tanzania. All the lakes are alkaline in nature formed by the volcanic debris created when Mount Meru erupted. The water in the lakes are alkaline, this makes the animals not to drink but zebras are likely to be spotted grazing on the shores of the lake. The lakes are the major highlights of the eastern side of the Arusha National park.
Wildlife
The park because of its small size has limited space and therefore has less Wildlife compared to the other National parks found in the Northern circuit in Tanzania. Despite its size the park is rewarding with sizeable number of wildlife which include the rarely spotted leopards, Giraffes, Zebras, cape buffaloes, warthog ,black and white colobus monkeys, bushbuck, elephants and blue monkeys, Attractions of Arusha National park
Birds species
The forest areas of the park is a prolific birding area with a good number of more than 400 species of birds in such a small park is quite impressive. The highlight of the park being the easy to spot Narina trogons and the bar tailed trogons. Which are easier to spot here in the Arusha national park than anywhere else in a tourist route. Some of the species to be found in the park include; African fish eagle, African olive pigeon, Bearded vulture, Black saw wing ,Egyptian Goose, little grepe, cinnamon Crested bee-eater , great Crested grebe, Narina trogons, Bar tailed trogons, Southern pochard, Tawny eagle, Verreaux’s Eagle, silvery cheecked Hornbill, scaly francolin, Red fronted parrot, peregrine falcons, Hartlaub’s turaco among other species.
The best time to visit
The best time to visit Arusha National Park is during the short rains ,when the animals can be easily seen especially around the water holes, and the rainfall is minimal. The best months to visit is during the months of June to October. This is the period in which the park is cool time of the year and also the mosquito level have greatly reduced. It is during this period is when the vegetation cover of the park is a little bit thinner and the water is also scarce making the animals to gather around the fresh water sources. This is makes is easier for the tourist to spot their likely location during the day visits and capture a great wildlife photography for a memorable safari experience.
Arusha National park Climate
The weather is cool all year round in Arusha National Park. On average the warmest months are January, February, March, September, October, November and December. The park’s rainiest month is April with June, July and August being the coldest months.
How to get to Arusha National park
The park has two gates Momella gate and Arusha National park gate. The park distance from the main gate to Arusha town is just 25 kilometres apart and can easily by accessed by road . A drive from town of Arusha to the main gate takes about 40 minutes and about and hour from Kilimanjaro international Airport. Due to the parks small size it can be visited and explored with half a day trip ,it can also be visited with a picnic lunch as a whole day visit for a more relaxed safari tour in the park, which can be more rewarding experience.
