Arusha National park

Arusha National Park, located in northern Tanzania, is one of the country’s most scenic and diverse wildlife reserves. Despite its compact size of about 552 square kilometers, the park offers an incredible variety of landscapes and attractions. It lies just a short drive from Arusha town, the safari capital of Tanzania, making it a convenient destination for day trips or as a starting point for longer northern circuit safaris.

The park is dominated by the majestic Mount Meru (4,566 meters), Tanzania’s second-highest peak, which provides breathtaking backdrops and excellent trekking opportunities for hikers. Its varied terrain includes lush highland forests, sparkling rivers, open savannahs, and volcanic craters. Three main features define the park: Mount Meru, the Ngurdoto Crater—often called “Little Ngorongoro”—and the Momella Lakes, which are famous for their seasonal flamingos and rich birdlife.

Although it is not primarily known for big-game sightings like the Serengeti, Arusha National Park is home to a surprising range of wildlife. Visitors may encounter giraffes, Cape buffalo, zebras, warthogs, bushbucks, waterbucks, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and blue monkeys. Leopards and hyenas are present but more elusive. With over 400 bird species recorded, the park is also a paradise for birdwatchers.

Unique to Arusha National Park are activities rarely offered in other Tanzanian parks, such as walking safaris and canoeing on Momella Lakes, which allow visitors to experience nature up close. Its cool climate, beautiful scenery, and tranquility make it a refreshing contrast to the larger, busier parks of the northern safari circuit.

Whether for a short visit or as part of a longer itinerary, Arusha National Park combines accessibility with natural beauty, offering a perfect introduction to Tanzania’s diverse ecosystems.