Arusha National Park is situated in the Arusha region of Tanzania. While it may be one of the country’s smallest national parks, it is renowned for its spectacular landscapes, diverse wildlife, and numerous bird species.
The park’s features include lush green rainforests, savannah grasslands, alpine vegetation, swamps, and lakes. One of its notable attractions is an arch-shaped tree large enough for a car or an elephant to pass through.
The name “Arusha” is derived from the local Waarusha people who once inhabited the area before it was established as a national park.
In 1876, a Hungarian visitor was amazed by the high population of black rhinos and hippos in the Momella area of the park. In 1907, the Trapp family moved to the Momella area, where they began farming and established ranches. When the idea of protecting the area as a reserve arose, Mrs. Trapp donated parts of the Momella estates to the game reserve. She was the first professional woman hunter in East Africa.
Arusha National Park was initially established as Ngurdoto Crater National Park in 1960, with parts of Mr. Trapp’s farm incorporated into the park. In 1967, parts of Mount Meru were added to the park, and it was renamed Arusha National Park.
Wildlife Watching
Although Arusha National Park is smaller compared to other safari national parks in Tanzania, it boasts a high population of giraffes. It is home to diverse wildlife, and during a game drive, you can expect to see elephants, bushbucks, leopards, giraffes, Cape buffalos, black and white colobus monkeys, warthogs, blue monkeys, red duikers, vervet monkeys, hippos, and more. The best times for wildlife watching are in the morning and evening when animals are most active.
Ujambo wa Mbogo
“Ujambo wa Mbogo” is Swahili for “Buffalo Glade.” It is located at the foothills of Mount Meru and can be explored on foot while in Arusha National Park. While hippos are the primary inhabitants of the Buffalo Glade, other animals also frequent the area.
Birding
Arusha National Park is home to over 400 bird species, making it one of Tanzania’s top birding destinations. Some examples of birds in the park include the white whistling duck, African olive pigeon, eastern bronze-napped pigeon, black-necked grebe, helmeted guinea fowl, southern pochard, tufted duck, Egyptian goose, vulturine guinea fowl, yellow-necked spur fowl, greater flamingo, lesser flamingo, dusky turtle dove, mourning collared dove, chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, bare-faced sandgrouse, montane nightjar, African palm swift, little swift, white-browed coucal, African black coucal, African rail, purple heron, red-chested flufftail, grey-crowned crane, white-bellied bustard, Hartlaub’s turaco, yellow-billed stork, pink-backed pelican, black-crowned night heron, little egret, African sacred ibis, African spoonbill, long-tailed cormorant, common ringed plover, long-toed lapwing, African jacana, African skimmer, white-winged tern, black-winged kite, white-headed vulture, and crowned eagle, among others.
Ngurdoto Crater
Ngurdoto Crater is often referred to as “mini Serengeti” due to its resemblance to Ngorongoro Crater. It has a depth of 300 meters and a diameter of 3.2 kilometers. The crater floor provides habitat for various wildlife species, including elephants, warthogs, buffalos, Kirk’s dik-dik, red duiker, olive baboons, and more. While it cannot be explored on a game drive, experienced ranger guides can lead you on a nature-guided walk through the crater.
Momella Lakes
Momella Lakes are a chain of seven scenic alkaline lakes found in the northeastern part of Arusha National Park. These lakes include Lake El Kakhotoito, Lake Kusare, Lake Tulisia, Lake Lekandiro, Lake Rishateni, Big Momella Lake, and Small Momella Lake. Each of these unique lakes has its own distinct color due to varying mineral content caused by volcanic debris from a massive explosion that occurred 250,000 years ago, blowing off the top of Mount Meru. While animals in Arusha do not drink from the Momella Lakes due to their high alkalinity, they can often be seen at the lake shores.
Visit Tululusia Waterfalls
The beautiful Tululusia Waterfalls, situated at an altitude of 1,660 meters above sea level at the foothills of Mount Meru National Park, cascade 28 meters above an enormous rock. It offers an opportunity to get close to nature and observe water birds. This location is also ideal for picnicking in Arusha National Park.
Ngurdoto Museum
Ngurdoto Museum is a place to visit while in Arusha National Park to learn more about not only Ngurdoto Crater but also the entire national park. Here, you can find old skeletons, taxidermy exhibits, remains, and valuable information about the park.
Where to Stay
Arusha National Park can be visited in a day from Arusha town, but tourists who wish to stay in the park can choose from various accommodation options, including Masai Land Safari Lodge, Burka Coffee Lodge, Natron Palace Hotel, Pazzuri Inn Lodge, Meru House Lekisilia, Shamba Lodge, Itikoni Camp, Meru Mbega Lodge, The Milimani Lodge, New Hotel Aquiline Arusha, Le Jacaranda Hotel, River Trees Country Inn, Lemala Villa, Mount Meru Game Lodge, Green Mountain Hotel, Sinzia Villas, Arumeru River Lodge, Fun Retreat Resort Hotel, Ayurveda Spa, Boulevard Inn Mount Meru, Mrimba Palm Hotel, Mvuli Hotels Arusha, and many others.
When to Visit
Arusha National Park can be toured throughout the year, but the best times for visiting are from June to September and December to February when weather conditions are favorable, making wildlife spotting easier. The best time for birdwatching is from November to April when migratory birds are present in the park.
Getting There
Arusha National Park is located 25 kilometers east of Arusha city, 35 kilometers from Kilimanjaro International Airport, and 58 kilometers from Moshi town. Tourists can fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport and then drive to Arusha National Park or fly into Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and connect to Kilimanjaro Airport. Alternatively, they can drive from Dar es Salaam to Arusha National Park.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru, rising 4,562 meters above sea level, is located within Arusha National Park. It is the second-highest peak in Tanzania. Mount Meru is believed to have been even taller than Mount Kilimanjaro many years ago, but its peak collapsed on itself 7,800 years ago, leading to the formation of a crater. The last minor eruption at Mount Meru occurred in 1910.
Climbing Mount Meru typically takes 4 to 5 days, depending on the hiker’s speed. The trek starts from the Momella Gate, and basic accommodation is provided in huts during the climb. Many travelers use Mount Meru as a base to gain experience before attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Travelers planning to climb Mount Meru should remember to pack waterproof hiking boots, waterproof raincoats, long-sleeved clothing, insect repellent, hats, sunglasses, plenty of drinking water, and energy-giving snacks.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world, is located 60 kilometers from Mount Meru. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, home to this great mountain, is one of the most visited national parks in Tanzania, known for mountain climbing and hiking.
Serengeti National Park
Tourists visiting Arusha National Park can add Serengeti National Park to their safari itinerary. Serengeti is renowned for the great wildebeest migration that takes place annually from Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya. While in Serengeti National Park, tourists can observe a wide range of wildlife, including the African Big Five, and many bird species such as Hildebrandt’s starling, Fischer’s lovebird, southern ground hornbill, silver bird, rufous-tailed weaver, green-backed woodpecker, black-headed gonolek, grey-backed fiscal, Verreaux’s eagle, yellow-throated sandgrouse, Usambiro barbet, red-capped robin chat, Rüppell’s vulture, grey crested helmet shrike, southern ground hornbill, red-eyed dove, northern pintail, fulvous whistling duck, guinea fowl, dusky turtle dove, and bare-faced go-away bird, among others.
Other Tourist Destinations
Tourists visiting Arusha National Park can also explore other tourist destinations in the northern circuit of Tanzania, such as Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Olduvai Gorge, and more.
