Arusha National park is the closest national park near Arusha town is just a ½ to 1 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 fifth largest peak, and part of the mountain is within the park boundaries, offering great views of Mount Kilimanjaro to the east. There is 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, and warthogs. It is also a great place to see lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas, which are mostly likely 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 colobus monkeys are easily seen.
The most common wildlife mammals that can be easily seen here are lions, buffaloes, impalas, hippos, waterbucks, elephants, cheetahs, and leopards. From December, when the long rains start, to May, the eastern Serengeti plains provide the best chances for 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 throughout the year; however, the best time is between the months 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 an annual average rainfall. The park is located at an altitude between 1,700 and 4,566 meters.
Getting to Arusha National Park
The park can be accessed by road or air.
- By road: it is just a ½-hour drive on tarmac from Arusha town to the park’s main gate at Ngongongare Gate, which is about 32 km.
- By Air: The park can also be 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 multiple activities; these activities include game drives, short walking safaris, long walking safaris, horse riding, cycling, mountain climbing, and canoeing.
Birdwatching
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 the well-maintained network of roads and tracks in the park. It is an experience that tourists can get on a day game drive from Arusha town. Game drives are always encouraged to use 4-wheel vans with rooftops that provide you more chances of viewing animals and taking photos in the distance.
Horseback Riding
Horseback trails have been established and can be combined with overnight stays in camps within the park, but with prior arrangement.
Canoeing
Canoeing is possible by prior arrangement on small Mornella Lake with buffaloes, giraffes, bushbucks, waterbucks, 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 an 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, baboons, antelope, and lots of birds.