Arusha National Park Closed Now

This beautiful Park has often been called a “little germ” and rightly so. It is only ½ an hour by tarmac road from Arusha town, the safari center of Northern Tanzania. With mountains, valleys, lakes, and small plains clothed in green, it has a wonderful feeling of peace and solitude. It is dominated by Mount Meru, which at 4,566 m (14,980 ft) is the 5rd highest free standing mountain in Africa.

This second highest mountain in Tanzania offers unforgettable experience and serves as acclimatization refuge before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Climate

The Park can be visited throughout the year; however the best time is between June to September and from December to early March. The short rainy period is from October to November and the heavy rain season is from March to May with annual average rainfall ranging from ….. to ….. mm. The park is located at an altitude between 1,700 and 4566 meters.

Getting there

The Park can be accessed by road or air.

By Road: From Arusha town to Ngongongare gate, it is about 32 km.

By Air: It is about 40 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Attractions

The Park is gifted with variety of attractions ranging from wildlife inhabiting the wilderness to craters and mountain peaks.

Serengeti Ndogo

The name which means “Little Serengeti”, describes the open grassland, a place in the park where various animals in large numbers can easily be seen such as buffaloes, warthogs zebras, waterbucks, giraffes, etc.

Wildlife

Black and white colubus monkey

Arusha National Park is a home for these acrobatic Black and White Colobus Monkey. These species contributes into visitors experience during the Park visit because they can easily be spotted. Other animals includes Buffalos, Warthogs and Giraffes

Mount Meru

The park holds a second highest mountain in Tanzania providing a good chance of exploring mountainous habitats inhabited with different animal and plants species which are differently from those found in lowland.

Ngurdoto and Meru Craters

This pear-shape Ngurdoto resembling just like a miniature of Ngorongoro crater comprises of five viewing points of mikindu, the Rock, Buffalo, the glade and Leitong being the highest point. From this point the snowy peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Momella lakes and lower slope with human settlement can be easily seen

Birds (Lesser and greater flamingos in Momela Lakes)

The famous Momela lakes provide home and important feeding ground for both Lesser and greater flamingos. It one of the important site to visit for bird watchers.

Tululusia Hill and waterfall

Tululusia hill meaning “lookout point” is a view point that provides an excellent view of the lower areas of Arusha National Park, Mount Meru and the majestic Kilimanjaro.

Tululusia Waterfall found on a narrow sided valley formed as a result of erosion of a soft volcanic soil leaving behind a steep gorge with the height of 28m (84ft). It’s a home of nesting Red-winged Starlings and having a chance of getting your photos around this natural environment are usually spectacular!

Lake Longil and Momella lakes

Lake Longil is the only fresh water lake in the park, inhabited with Tilapia fish and also there are Papyrus and Mace reed floating as Islands and changes their positions following the wind directions

Fig Tree Arch

A striking feature of the Fig Tree Arch (Ficus thoningii) with its roots reaching the ground while leaving behind an arch enough for a car to drive through.

Ngarenanyuki River (Engare Nanyokie)

This river originating from the montane forest and meru crater contains a brackish resulting from brown/alkaline water sources from the streams which joins the main river outside the park.

Activities

Arusha National Park is the Park of multi activities; These activities includes game drives, short walking safari, long walking safariNational Park is a park of multi tourists activities; These includes Game Drives (GD), Short Walking Safaris (SWS), Long Walking Safaris (LWS), Canoeing, Mountain Climbing (MC), Horse Riding (HR) and Cycling.

Mountain hiking

This is a 2 night 3 day adventure using the mountain huts Miriakamba and Saddle huts. It has to be prearranged at the Momella Gate requiring porters and an armed Ranger escort. The hike traverses several vegetation zones including beautiful montane forests. Expect to see wildlife en route including buffalo, giraffe, monkeys, baboons, antelope and lots of birds.

Walking Safari

Arusha National Park is a great place for walking, and a place where one can enjoy natural forests in comfort because of the cool climate. Hiking has to be arranged at one of the 2 Gates. A fee is payable and any walk has to be accompanied by an armed Ranger.

Canoeing

Canoeing is possible by prior arrangement on Small Momella Lake, with buffao, giraffe, bushbuck, water buck and hippo often seen. Wading and water birds are of course common.

Horseback riding

Horseback trails have been established and can be combined with overnight stays in camps within the Park (but not the horses). By prior arrangement.

Game drive

Game drives are possible on a well maintained network of roads and tracks. It is an experience that tourists can get in a day game drive from Arusha Town.

Bird watching

The Park has more than 450 birds species including both resident and migratory birds. At Small Momella and Longil lakes, both water and non-water birds can be easily sighted.

Accommodations

There is one seasonal camp in the Mount Meru forest, and other special campsites that can be booked for travelers or companies with their own camps. There are huts for climbers of Mount Meru to use. Hotels and lodges for visitors to use are also sited outside the Park, and of course in Arusha itself.