Arusha National park

The closest national park near Arusha town just ½ to1 hour drive by tarmac road from Arusha town, the  tourism center of northern Tanzania.

The horizon is dominated by the spectacular views of mount Meru, Africa’s faith largest peak and part of the mountain are with the park boundaries  and offering great of views of mountain Kilimanjaro to the east.

There are plenty of wildlife to spot while on your safari in Arusha national park. Keep an eye out for Giraffes, zebras, Dik-dik, solitary cape buffaloes, Warthog. It is also great place to see lions, leopards, and spotted hyena which are mostly like to be seen in the morning and late afternoon and also the only place in the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black and white colubus monkeys is easily seen.

Most common wildlife mammals that can be easily seen here are lions, buffaloes, impalas, hippos, waterbucks, elephants, cheetah, and leopards. From December ,when the long rains start, to may, eastern Serengeti plains provide best chances to wildlife viewing as hundreds of thousands of the annual migratory animals are concentrated in this part attracted by short palatable grass.

When is the best time to visit Arusha National park

The park can be visited throughtout the year, however the best time is between month of June and September and from December to early march. The short rainy period is from October to November and the too much rain .is from March to May with annual average rain fall

The park is located an altitude between 1,700 and 4566meters

Getting to Arusha national park

The park can be accessed by Road or air.

By road: it is just ½ an hour drive on tarmac from Arusha town to the park main gate at Ngongongare gate which is about 32km

By Air: the park can be also accessed by air from Kilimanjaro international airport which is just about 40 km

Activities in Arusha national park

Arusha national park is the park of mult activities; these activities include game drive, short walking safari, long walking safari is park of multi tourist activities which include game drives, short walking safari , horse riding, cycling, mountain climbing, canoeing .

Birding watching

The park has more than 450 bird species including both resident and migratory birds. At small Mornella and longil lakes, both water and non-water birds can easily be sighted

Game drive

Game drives are possible on well-maintained network of roads and tracks with the park. It is an experience that tourist can get in day game drive from Arusha town

Game drives are always encouraged to use 4 wheel vans with roof tops that provides you more chances of viewing animals and taking photos in distance

Horseback Riding

Horseback trails have been established and can be combined with overnight stays in camps within the park bur with prior arrangement  

Canoeing

Canoeing is possible by prior arrangement on small Mornella Lake with buffaloes, Giraffe, bushbuck, waterbuck and hippos often seen. Wading and water birds

Walking safari

Arusha National park is great place for walking, and place where one can enjoy natural forest in comfort because of the cool climate. Hiking has to be arranged at one of the 2 gates. Fee payable and any walk has to be accompanied by armed ranger guide

Mountain hiking

This is a 2 night 3 day adventure using the mountain huts Miriakamba and saddle huts. It has to be prearranged at the Mornella Gate requiring porters and an armed Ranger escort. The hike traverses several vegetation zones including beautiful montane forests. Expect to see wildlife en-route including buffalo, Giraffe, monkeys, baboon, antelope and lots of birds