Top Attractions and Activities in Arusha National Park, Tanzania Wildlife Safari Tours
Arusha National Park has its share of wildlife and has the advantage of being close to the city of Arusha in Tanzania. Most tourists visit the Park for a day or two before or after visiting the larger popular National Parks of Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater. The key attractions of the park are Climbing Mount Meru, exploring the Ngurdoto Crater, and the seven Momela Lakes.
Arusha National Park is small but varied with spectacular landscapes in three distinct areas. In the west, the Meru Crater funnels the Jekukumia River; the peak of Mount Meru lies on its rim. Ngurdoto Crater in the southeast is grassland. The shallow alkaline Momella Lakes in the northeast have varying algal colours and are known for their wading birds. Arusha National Park is just a few kilometers northeast of Arusha, though the main gate is 25 km east of the city. At just over 200 square miles, Arusha National Park has great wildlife densities, and it is home to the world's largest population of giraffes. Cape buffalo, elephants, hippos, and zebra are found here in abundance, and the occasional lion and leopard can also be sighted on a game drive.
Wildlife In Arusha National Park, Tanzania Wildlife Safari Tours
Arusha National Park has a rich variety of wildlife, but visitors shouldn't expect the same game-viewing experience they find in other National Parks of Tanzania's northern circuit. Despite the small size of the park, common animals include the giraffe, Cape buffalo, zebra, warthog, the black-and-white colobus monkey, the blue monkey, flamingo, elephant, bushbuck, and many other African animals. Leopard populations are present, but rarely seen.
Birdlife in the forest of Arusha National Park, Tanzania is prolific, with many forest species more easily seen here than elsewhere on the tourist route - Narina trogon and bar-tailed trogon are both possible highlights for visiting birders, whilst the range of starling species provide somewhat less gaudy interest.
Things to do in Arusha National Park:
Small but wildlife treasures secretly hidden in its endowment in diverse wildlife attractions are too enormous and much is available here for exploration. Arusha National Park can be seen in a single day, and the Park is the only park in Tanzania’s northern circuit in which a walking safari is possible.
Game drives in Arusha National Park, Tanzania
Thanks to its vast diversity in natural habitats and small size, Arusha National Park has fantastic wildlife densities. Many game drives occur in the Ngurdoto Crater and the surrounding forest, where the largest densities of elephants, buffalos, and hippos are found. The Serengeti Ndogu, or little Serengeti, is a vast and golden savannah grassland where many of the plains game graze and is also a great addition to any game drive. Head out in the early morning for the best game-viewing opportunities, and pack a picnic lunch for when you get hungry.
Nature Walks in Arusha National Park, Tanzania
Accompanied by a park ranger, you will make your way through the various forest and savannah habitats, observing wildlife from a safe distance. This is also a great opportunity to spot some of Tanzania's wonderful birdlife. One of the highlights of a walking safari is walking up to the top of Tululusia Hill, a former lookout point during Tanzania's tribal wars, which has panoramic views of the lower reaches of Arusha National Park. You can join a larger group or opt to go privately on your walking safari.
Bird Watching in Arusha National Park, Tanzania
Arusha National Park, Tanzania is home to many bird species and is the perfect place for bird-watching enthusiasts.
Canoe Safaris:
Drift along the shallow waters of the Small Momella Lake in a canoe while enjoying scenic views of the surrounding bush and wildlife coming to the shores for a drink. Canoe trips often last 2-3 hours and are a great alternative to the traditional safari experience.
Hiking Mt. Meru in Arusha National Park, Tanzania
Ranked fifth highest mountain standing at an altitude of 4,566 m (14,990 feet) and also the second highest in the Tanzanian land, an active volcano. With limited ice and mist around its peak, this mountain is visible throughout the whole year which is not the same as the mountain Kilimanjaro that seems shy and hides behind clouds filled with ice.
Climbing is just so awesome and tiring but worth enduring the pain and being able to observe what many could not do. Not only does the climb offer a spectacular view of Kilimanjaro from the summit, but the hike itself is also an incredibly rewarding walking safari that takes you through multiple habitats where you can encounter giraffes, elephants, antelopes, and more
Canoeing the Momella Lakes in Arusha National Park, Tanzania
The Momella Lakes within Arusha National Park are a series of seven shallow lakes: Big Momella, Small Momella, Kusare, Lekandiro, Tulusia, Rishateni, and El Kekhotoito. They are alkaline lakes with considerable algae growth, and each of these lakes is a different shade of green or blue. Though water is unsafe for drinking, it is good for canoeing and with the possibility of watching birds flamingoes, and animals such as water bucks, giraffes, zebras, and dik-diks in the surrounding area.
Visiting the Ngurdoto Crater in Arusha National Park, Tanzania
This swampy crater is densely filtrated by numerous wild animals variety of animals and it’s the most known point for stopovers during game drive activity. While conducting a game drive here, be on alert to watch animals like Cape buffalo, elephants, monkeys, baboons, warthogs, and different antelope species. Just at its outskirts, there is Ngurdoto Forest which is a habitat for playful black and white colobus monkeys.
Visiting the Ngurdoto Museum in Arusha National Park, Tanzania
Overlooking the Ngurdoto Forest with its population of black and white colobus monkeys, the Ngurdoto Museum houses an impressive collection of examples of the various animals, birds, and insects that can be found within the park.
Visiting Lake Longil in Arusha National Park, Tanzania
The only freshwater lake at Arusha National Park is popular and best for viewing the buffaloes and waterbucks because it is their watering hole. So this park’s wild animals like buffaloes and waterbucks can be found here. Come with us.
Hiking Tululusia Hill in Arusha National Park, Tanzania
A former lookout point during tribal wars from Tanzania’s post, Tululusia Hill is today a popular hiking site that affords visitors an excellently beautiful view of the lower reaches of the Arusha National Park as well as the two mountains of Kilimanjaro and Meru. This heavily forested region of the park is home to elephants, buffalo, colobus monkeys, the red duiker, suni, leopards, and even tree-dwelling pythons.
Access to Arusha National Park:
The best way to get to Arusha National Park is by driving, it is only a 45-minute drive from Arusha, the beginning point of any northern circuit safari in Tanzania.
The best time to visit Arusha National Park, Tanzania
The best time to visit Arusha National Park is from June to September and December to March during the dry seasons.
Wildlife spotting and other activities are the most enjoyable at this time of year, and it lines up with The Great Migration if you plan on doing the Serengeti too.
March and April, and October to December are the wet seasons, and it is advised to avoid these months, as rain can ruin or lead to cancellations of planned activities.
Where to Stay In Arusha National Park | Lodges and Accommodations in Arusha National Park
The Kili Villa is a luxurious retreat situated on a golf and wildlife estate close to the park and only 30 mins from Arusha International Airport.
On offer are three exclusive villas, as well as individual luxury rooms. Each Villa is distinctively decorated to showcase the best local African design and craftsmanship combined with colonial-style furniture
This lodge offers horse riding, Canoeing, and Game drives.
Alternatively, The River Trees Country Inn is a charming country estate that was once an old coffee farm. It still maintains the nostalgic air of a well-loved homestead. Sprawling across ten acres on Mount Meru's sloping foothills, beautifully rustic cottages are dotted along the river and nestled under tall trees. Lush lawns and birdsong add to the tranquil surroundings. The restaurant concocts tasty meals of garden-fresh ingredients, old family recipes, and oven-fired pizzas. Delicious candle-lit dinners are served by the warmth of the fireplace or under the stars on the patio.
Arrange and Book with Ultimate Wild Safaris for the Arusha National Park Safari tour in Tanzania.
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