Overview
Arusha National Park
- Region
- Arusha
- Established
- 1960
- Highest Point
- Mount Meru
- Best Time
- June to October
Small in size but huge in variety, Arusha National Park packs montane forest, the alkaline Momella Lakes, the Ngurdoto Crater and the rugged slopes of Mount Meru into a single easy day from our Arusha base.
Key Highlights
Mount Meru
Tanzania’s second-highest mountain dominates the park, and its multi-day climb is one of the finest acclimatisation treks before Kilimanjaro.
Momella Lakes
A string of shallow, alkaline lakes whose colours shift with the light, often dotted with flamingos and waterbirds.
Ngurdoto Crater
A forested volcanic crater viewed from its rim, where buffalo and warthog graze the swampy floor far below.
Walking Safaris
One of the few northern parks where you can explore on foot with an armed ranger, close to giraffe, zebra and buffalo.
Colobus Forest
The montane forest is the best place in the north to watch black-and-white colobus monkeys leaping through the canopy.
Canoeing on Momella
Paddle across Small Momella Lake for a quiet, eye-level view of birdlife and grazing animals along the shore.
About Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is where many of our guests take their very first game drive, and it never fails to surprise. Within a few kilometres the scenery changes from the wooded Ngurdoto Crater to open glades, the reflective Momella Lakes and the ash cone and cliffs of Mount Meru.
The park is known less for big predators than for its variety: giraffe browsing in the forest edge, buffalo in the swamps, colobus and blue monkeys overhead, and hundreds of bird species. On clear mornings, Kilimanjaro floats on the horizon to the east.
Because it is so close to town, Arusha National Park is perfect for a first or last day of a safari, a gentle walking or canoe excursion, or a warm-up before tackling Mount Meru or Kilimanjaro.
When to Visit
Climate
At altitude, Arusha National Park is cooler than the lowland parks. Days are pleasantly warm and nights can be chilly, especially from June to August. The long rains fall from March to May, with shorter rains in November and December.
The park is open and rewarding all year. The dry months from June to October bring clear trails, easier walking and the best conditions for climbing Mount Meru.
January and February are also lovely — warm, green and often clear enough for views of Kilimanjaro. During the long rains, forest tracks can be muddy but the scenery is at its most lush.
Peak Season
June to October
Long Rains
March to May
Activities & Experiences
- game drives
- walking safaris
- canoeing
- birdwatching
- mount meru climb
Where to Stay
Coffee-farm lodges near Arusha
lodge
Lodges on the park boundary
lodge
Momella public campsites
campsite