Arusha National Park

About the Park

Arusha National Park is situated in the northern region of Tanzania. It lies in the northeastern region of the town of Arusha. Don’t get fooled by the fact that Arusha National Park is small. It has an extensive habitat that’s home to some wonderful Tanzania Wildlife.

The scenic landscapes are made up of the peaks of Mount Meru, the Ngurdoto Crater, and the lush grasslands of montane forests.

Area – 137 sq. km. (53 sq. miles)
Established in – 1960
Coordinates – 3.2500° S, 36.7500° E
Opening Hours – 6 am to 6 pm.

Even though Arusha National Park doesn’t have as much wildlife compared to other National Parks in Tanzania. It more than makes up for it based on breathtaking landscapes, hiking opportunities on Mount Meru, and amazing outdoor activities.

Best Time to Visit

The game-viewing experience in Arusha National Park is amazing all year round. Yet, the perfect time to visit is in the months from late June to October. Below is a comparison between the dry and wet seasons of the park:

The Dry Season *From June to October*	The Wet Season *From November to May*
Animals gather around the water holes, making them easier to spot.	The sceneries are at its most beautiful.
There’s hardly any rain.	Views of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro are wonderful.
Fewer mosquitoes.	The game-viewing experience is still amazing in the wet season.

Pro Tips Pack a few pairs of warm clothes for morning game drives because it can get cold. The Wet Season is a perfect time to visit Arusha for Birdwatching enthusiasts. Because there are several migratory birds present in the park.

Getting There

The most convenient way to get to Arusha National Park is to fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). The airport is situated just 60 km east of the town of Arusha. From the airport, it’ll be a quick bus ride to Arusha or if you want, straight to the park.

Also, there’s a small domestic airport in the western region of Arusha (ARK). You can fly to the airport on a chartered flight.

Activities

Below are some of our recommended activities to do on Safaris in Arusha National Park:

Hiking the little version of Kilimanjaro – Mount Meru
Peaceful boating tours on Lake Momella
Observe the rich wildlife of Arusha in the Ngurdoto Crater
Cultural Excursions to visit the Maasai Tribe
Nature Walks around the green forests and rocky hills of Lake Duluti

Wildlife

There’s an extensive amount of Tanzania Wildlife in Arusha National Park. And, if you’re on a safari in the park you’ll get to see many animals. Such as cape buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, zebras, blue monkeys, bushbucks, black and white colobus monkeys, etc. If you’re a bit patient, you can even spot some leopards.

The Birdlife in the park is amazing too. There are several forest species of birds in the park. They include snake Eagles, flamingos, Augur Buzzard, hornbills, Tawny, bee-eaters, herons, waders, pelicans, ducks, etc.