Arusha National Park - The Things You Need to Know

Arusha National Park – The Things You Need to Know

Located just a short drive from Moshi and Arusha, the Arusha National Park is the most accessible national park in Tanzania and a superb place for an  arusha national park day trip or as the last or first stop on a longer tour. At only 552 square kilometers, a day trip to arusha national park gives tourists a lot to see.

With different animals that include herbivores like hippopotamuses, zebra, buffaloes, elephants, and the infrequent wildebeest, the Arusha Tarangire National Park is also an ideal place to explore and stretch your limbs – with both canoe safaris and walking safaris available at the park.

Also, Arusha National Park is home to the largest population of giraffes in the world, making it a good place to tour for fans of these long-necked, elegant animals.

Arusha National Park Tanzania has a wide landscape variety, ranging from acacia shrubland through open savannah to rainforest and alpine conditions on Mount Meru’s higher parts.

Fact File of the Arusha National Park

  • Location: About 60 minutes to 90 minutes drive from Arusha. About 90 minutes from Moshi
  • Renowned for: Canoe and walking safaris. Arusha national park Day trips destination
  • To-do: Picnicking, climbing Mount Meru, game drives, canoe safaris, and arusha national palk walking safari

Best Time to Visit the Arusha National Park

According to Arusha national park tripadvisor reviews and suggestions, the best time to visit is during the dry season . This is between June and October,when game viewing is at its best. The Arusha National Park Safari is suitable for year-round birding, particularly between November and April when migratory birds from North Africa and Europe are present and the native birds have their breeding plumage on display.

Birds at the Arusha National Park

Highlights of the Arusha National Park- Day trip Arusha National Park

One can see all the Arusha national park itinerary highlights at the Arusha National Park tour in a single day trips from Arusha national park. The park is the sole park in the country’s northern circuit where visitors can engage in a walking safari.

Excellent Wildlife Diversity-  Arusha National Park Wildlife

As a result of the Arusha National Park’s varied landscapes, there is an extraordinarily high level of wildlife diversity.

The Arusha National Park is not only home to the largest population of giraffes in Africa, but tourists can as well expect to see blue monkeys, elephants, cape buffaloes, waterbucks, white and black colobus monkeys, trogons, turacos, as well as the occasional leopard or lion in the right conditions during their Arusha National Park tours.

The Arusha National Park also boasts a fabulously diverse variety of birdlife, making it a popular destination for birding enthusiasts.

The fifth highest mountain in Africa cuts a striking figure of 14,990 ft (4,566 metre). While Mt. Kilimanjaro is often shy and hidden behind clouds, Mount Meru arusha national park Tanzania is usually seeable throughout the year.

An active volcano, Mount Meru is a popular destination for tourists to Tanzania and a good preparatory mountain for those that wish to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The climb does not only offer a wonderful view of Mt. Kilimanjaro from the top, but the hike is also a gratifying walking safari that takes you through many habitats where you can see elephants, antelopes, giraffes, and more.

Canoeing the Momella Lakes

Located within Arusha, the Momella Lakes arusha national park are a set of seven shallow lakes: El Kekhotoito, Tulusia, Lekandiro, Rishateni, Small Momella, Big Momella, and Kusare. The lakes are alkaline and have considerable algae growth; each of the lakes is a different shade of blue or green.

Although the water is not ideal for drinking, it is possible to see different birds of Arusha National Park like flamingoes and Arusha national park animals like dik-diks, giraffes, waterbucks, and zebras in the surrounding area.

Canoeing safaris take place on Small Momella lake.

Ngurdoto Crater

A large variety of animals inhabit this swampy crater. It is a popular stop for 1 day safari arusha national park game drives. Tourists can expect to see elephants, cape buffaloes, baboons, warthogs, monkeys, and different species of antelopes here.

Ngurdoto Crater in Arusha
Ngurdoto Crater in Arusha

The Ngurdoto Forest surrounds the crater. The forest is a shadowy expanse that houses lively black and white colobus monkeys.

Close by is Little Serengeti national park arusha tanzania (Serengeti Ndogu), an expansive grassland where zebra herds dwell throughout the year.

Ngurdoto Museum

The Ngurdoto museum overlooks the Ngurdoto Forest. It is home to an impressive collection of examples of the different animals, insects, and birds that inhabit the park.

Lake Longil

Lake Longil is the only freshwater lake in the Arusha National Park. It is a popular watering hole for waterbucks and buffaloes.

Tululusia Hill

The Tululusia hill used to be a lookout point during tribal wars. Today, the hill is a popular camping and hiking area that gives visitors a superb view of the lower recess of the Arusha National Park as well as Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru.

The area is heavily forested and is home to colobus monkeys, buffaloes, elephants, tree-dwelling pythons, leopards, duikers, and sunis.

Fig Tree Arch

The fig tree arch is a unique natural arch formed by a fig tree. This astonishing feature of the landscape has grown into an arch big enough for an elephant or a car to pass under.

Other Important Things About Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park Fees

The Arusha National Park entrance fee $30 per person. This fee covers the cost of park maintenance and wildlife conservation.

Further History of Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is a Tanzanian national park located in the Arusha Region. The Arusha National park map shows that the park covers a total area of 762 square kilometers and is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and leopards. The park is also known for its scenic views, which include the Ngurdoto Crater and the Mount Meru volcano. The history of Arusha National Park dates back to the late 19th century, when it was established as a game reserve. In 1960, the park was expanded and renamed to its current name. Today, the park is a popular tourist destination and is one of the most visited national parks in Tanzania.

Alternative Game Reserves to Arusha National Park and Their Travel Distance

Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park

The distance from arusha to lake manyara national park is 96km.

Arusha to Serengeti National Park

The distance from arusha to serengeti national park is 919.2km, which takes 7 hours of travel.

Arusha to Tarangite National Park

The distance from arusha to Tarangire national park is 150.6km. This takes approximately 3hrs to get to the destination.

Distance from Arusha to Arusha National Park

The distance from Arusha to arusha national park while travelling using a car is 51.2 km, which approximates to 1hr 42mins. An Arusha National park day tour is highly recommended for tourists visiting Arusha. 

Distance from Arusha to Manyara National Park

The distance from Arusha to lake manyara National park according to google maps is 124.7 km.  

Arusha National Park Accomodation

There are a number of different accommodation options available, from camping and lodging to safari lodges and hotels in arusha national park.

Camping is a popular option for those who want to experience the true African bush. There are a number of campgrounds available within the park, each with its own unique features. Lodges en arusha national park and safari lodges are a good option for those who want to be closer to the action and have access to a variety of activities and amenities. Arusha National park hotels are a good choice for those who want to be close to the park but don’t necessarily want to camp or stay in a lodge.

Lodges in Arusha National Park and Nearby Distances

Arusha National Park is home to a number of lodges that offer visitors a variety of amenities and experiences. From luxury accommodations and fine dining to more rustic options, there is something for everyone in this beautiful park.

Here are a few of the arusha national park lodges in the Park:

-The Safari Lodge: This lodge offers luxury accommodations and stunning views of the park. Guests can enjoy a variety of activities, including safari drives and walks, butterfly watching, and more.

Hatari Lodge Arusha National Park Tanzania

Hatari lodge is located in Arusha National park, Tanzania. The lodge has 10 rooms and can accommodate up to 20 guests. The rooms are all en-suite and have private balconies with views of the park. The lodge also has a restaurant, bar, swimming pool and library.

Momella Lodge Arusha National Park

Momella Lodge is situated in the unspoiled beauty of Tanzania’s Arusha national park. The Lodge’s privileged location affords stunning views of Tanzania’s highest mountain, Mount Meru, as well as the world-famous Mount Kilimanjaro. Momella Lodge’s sixteen secluded chalets and dependency buildings are designed to blend in with their natural surroundings. The thatched roofs and stone walls echo the colours of the savannah, while the chalets’ large verandas overlook the wide and ever-changing panorama of the national park.

African View Lodge Arusha National Park

Nestled at the base of Mount Meru in Tanzania’s Arusha National Park, African View Lodge offers stunning views of the African savannah. The lodge is situated on a hillside, providing guests with panoramic views of the park. African View Lodge is the perfect base for exploring the park, with its many hiking trails and wildlife sightings. The lodge offers a variety of accommodations, from standard rooms to luxury suites. African View Lodge also has a restaurant and bar, where guests can relax after a day of exploring the park.

Twiga Lodge Arusha National Park

Situated in the foothills of Mount Meru, Twiga Lodge is the perfect base for exploring Arusha National Park. The lodge offers stunning views of the park and its wildlife, and is situated close to all the main attractions.

For more articles related to Wildlife Parks in Tanzania click here!

Recommended Articles From Around the Web