How to get to Arusha National Park

How to get to Arusha National Park , reaching Arusha National Park is quite straightforward, as it is situated to the north of Arusha town, nestled between Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. This park is the anomaly within Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. It does not provide the typical diversity of species found in other parks. Among the Big Five, only buffalo are frequently observed, while lions and rhinos are not present. The attraction resides in the picturesque landscapes and distinctive fauna. The charismatic black-and-white colobus monkey serves as the flagship species. The park provides numerous activities for visitors, including game drives, walking safaris, hiking, canoeing, and bird viewing.

Arusha National Park is frequently referred to as a “little gem,” and this designation is well-deserved. It is about 30 minutes by paved road from Arusha, the safari hub of Northern Tanzania. The landscape, characterized by mountains, valleys, lakes, and modest plains adorned in verdant foliage, evokes a profound sense of tranquility and seclusion. Mount Meru, reaching at 4,566 m (14,980 ft), is the fifth highest free-standing peak in Africa.

This second-highest peak in Tanzania provides an indelible experience and functions as an acclimatization haven prior to ascending Mount Kilimanjaro.

Arriving at Arusha National park

The park is accessible via land or air transportation. Accessing this park is quite straightforward from either Moshi or Arusha. Day outings and excursions are prevalent in this area. You may also choose to stay overnight to thoroughly explore this place.

Via Road:

The distance from Arusha town to the Ngongongare entrance at Arusha National Park is approximately 32 kilometers, equating to a journey of about 30 minutes in a 4×4 safari vehicle.

By Air:

The distance from Kilimanjaro International Airport is around 40 kilometers. If you do not plan to drive, you can just fly to Arusha National Park.

Attractions in Arusha National Park

Mount Meru

Mount Meru is a stratovolcano situated 70 km west of Mount Kilimanjaro. It has an elevation of 14,968 feet, or 4,562 meters. When the weather conditions are favorable, Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, is distinctly visible. The latest eruption occurred in 1910, specifically between October and December. In 1904, Fritz Jáger was the inaugural individual to reach its summit. The Momela path, providing trekking access to the top, traverses the Momella gate on the eastern side. It serves as the centerpiece of the park and the primary attraction for tourists visiting Arusha. The topography of Mount Meru is exceptional, including fertile soil that supports a forest and harbors several wildlife species. The park’s savannah and forest regions host numerous animal species, including blue and black primates, black and white colobus monkeys, rarely observed leopards, and a diverse array of birds.

The four-day trek on Mount Meru commences at Momella Gate and concludes at Miriakamba Hut, requiring four to six hours. The subsequent day’s trek lasts three to five hours, commencing from the Miriakamba Hut and concluding at the Saddle Hut. The climbers commence at Saddle Hut, ascend to the summit, and subsequently return to Miriakamba Hut. The trek commences on the concluding day at Miriakamba Hut and terminates at Momella Gate. The expense of ascending Mount Meru in Tanzania is quite affordable, benefiting budget-conscious travelers seeking trekking opportunities in the region. The optimal months for trekking Mount Meru are June to October during the dry season, along with January.

Momella Lakes

Arusha National Park is home to the seven small lakes known as Momela Lakes. The lakes are designated as Big Momela, Little Momela, Kusare, Risheteni, Lekandiro, Tulusia, and El Kekhotoito. Momela Village, the gateway to the region, is located in the Meru District of the Arusha region in Tanzania. All the lakes possess alkaline characteristics due to the volcanic debris produced by the eruption of Mount Meru. Animals cannot consume alkaline water; yet, zebras are frequently observed grazing near the lakes. The lakes in the eastern area of Arusha National Park are its primary attractions.

Wildlife

In comparison to other national parks within Tanzania’s northern circuit, this park is smaller, resulting in less land and consequently diminished species. The park is rewarding despite its limited size due to the extensive variety of creatures it houses, including elephants, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, warthogs, giraffes, zebras, cape buffaloes, leopards, and occasionally spotted leopards.

Birdwatching

Arusha National Park hosts around 400 species of birds within its compact area, making its forested sections an excellent venue for birdwatching. The conspicuous Narina and bar-tailed trogons are the park’s main attractions. They are more prominent in Arusha National Park than along any other tourist route. The park hosts a diverse array of avian species, including the African fish eagle, African olive pigeon, bearded vulture, black saw-wing, Egyptian geese, small grebe, and cinnamon. The species include the great crested grebe, narina trogon, bar-tailed trogon, southern pochard, tawny eagle, Verreaux’s eagle, silvery-cheeked hornbill, scaly francolin, red-fronted parrot, peregrine falcon, and Hartlaub’s turaco.

Ngurdoto Crater

This volcanic crater is situated in the Meru District of Tanzania, in proximity to Arusha. The Ngurdoto Crater has a depth of 100 meters and a maximum width of 3.6 kilometers. The crater contains a swamp at its base, encircled by a forest. The Ngurdoto Crater, located in Arusha National Park, is the crater of an extinct volcano. It is also known as “Little Ngorongoro” because, akin to Ngorongoro, it has developed into a form of “reserve within the reserve” over time.

The Ngurdoto Crater, measuring 3.6 km in width and 100 m in depth, is a volcanic formation located in the Arusha Region. It is designed like a basin with exceedingly steep cliffs and is enveloped in lush vegetation. The crater bottom is adorned with marshy grassland and hosts a variety of animal species, including buffalo, warthogs, elephants, monkeys, baboons, leopards, and spotted hyenas.

The Best time to visit Arusha National Park

The short wet season is the optimal period to visit Arusha National Park, since it facilitates close animal encounters, particularly near water holes, while reducing precipitation. June to October are the optimal months for visitation. During this season, the park experiences its lowest temperatures and a reduced bug population. The animals congregate near freshwater sources during this season due to the park’s diminished plant cover and reduced water availability. This facilitates tourists in capturing exceptional wildlife photographs for an unforgettable safari experience while also aiding them in assessing their probable location during daytime excursions.