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The one day trip to Arusha National Park, a small (137 sq km) but beautiful African park, is the closest Tanzanian National Wildlife Park to both the famous "safari town" of Arusha (29 km), as well as the Kilimanjaro International Airport, thus making it ideal for day safaris, even from
Moshl' (65 km).
Not only is the wildlife in the Arusha National Park abundant, but it is also one of the most beautiful and topographically varied game reserves in Tanzania. The African Arusha National Park's three most significant features include the rugged Mount Meru (Tanzania's second highest peak at 4566m),
About Arusha National
Park
Arusha National Park.
Arusha National Park is a gem of varied ecosystems and spectacular views of Mt. Meru, the crater that gives the region its name.
It is a popular destination for day trip visitors who are about to embark from the town of Arusha on longer northern circuit safaris. The small national park includes the slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mt. Meru, the Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and the lush highland forests that blanket its lower slopes. Game viewing around the Momela Lakes is at a laidback and quiet pace, and while passing through the forest many visitors stop to search for troupes of rare colubus monkeys playing in the canopy.
Climbing Mt. Meru or enjoying the smaller trails that criss - cross its lower slopes is a popular activity for visitors to Arusha National Park. The
three - day trek to reach the crater's summit is a quieter, and some say more challenging alternative than the famous peak of nearby Mount Kilimanjaro. Along the lower slopes, the paths to rivers and waterfalls create a relaxing day hike for visitors who don't want to attempt the rather arduous climb. Ancient fig tree forests' crystal clear waters cascading from mountain streams' and a chance to spot colobus monkeys are the attractions and pleasures of Arusha National Park.
The closest national park to Arusha town - northern Tanzania's safari capital Arusha National Park is a multi - faceted jewel, often overlooked by safari goers, despite offering the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats within a few hours. The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and colourful turacos and trogons - the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-andwhite colobus monkey is easily seen. In the midst of the forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, whose steep rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalo and warthog.
Further north, rolling grassy hills enclose the tranquil beauty of the Momela Lakes, each one having a different hue of green or blue. There are shallows sometimes tinged pink with thousands of flamingos. The lakes support a rich selection of resident and migrant waterfowl, and also shaggy waterbucks that display their large lyre-shaped horns on the watery fringes. Giraffes glide across the grassy hills, between grazing zebra herds, whilst pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart
into scrubby bush like overgrown hares on spindly legs.
Although elephants are uncommon in Arusha National Park, and lions are absent altogether, leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen slinking around in the early morning and late afternoon. It is also at dusk and dawn that the veil of cloud on the eastern horizon is most likely to clear, revealing the majestic snow-
capped peaks of
Kilimanjaro, which is only 50km (30 miles) away.
But it is Kilimanjaro's unassuming cousin, Mount Meru - the fifth highest mountain in Africa at 4,566 metres (14,990 feet) - that dominates the park's horizon. With its peaks and eastern foot slopes protected within the national park, Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbour, while also forming a rewarding
hiking destination in its own right.
Passing first through wooded savannah where buffalos and giraffes are frequently encountered, the ascent of Meru leads into forests aflame with red - hot pokers and dripping with Spanish moss, before reaching highly open heath spiked with giant lobelias. Everlasting flowers cling to the alpine desert, as delicately-hoofed klipspringers mark the hike's progress. Astride the craggy summit, Kilimanjaro stands unveiled, blushing in the sunrise.
Location
Northern Tanzania, northeast of Arusha town.
Getting There
An easy 40-minute drive from Arusha. It is approximately 60 km (35 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and
Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari.
Note
Mountain Climbing Permits duration time is
12 HOURS.
What To Do
Forest walks, numerous
picnic sites; three- or four-day Mt Meru climb good acclimatization for Kilimanjaro.
ARRIVAL IN TANZANIA
ARUSHA - ARUSHA
NATIONAL PARK
07:30hrs Depart
Arusha by Safari Jeep to Arusha National Park.
10:OOhrs Arrive at the park and proceed on a Game drive. Animals expected to be seen
include: Elephants, Dik Dik, Leopards, zebra, giraffe, ostritch and different kind of birds.
13:OOhrs At lunch time you will stop at a nice picnic site and enjoy an amazing lunch. Thereafter, you will proceed on a game drive.
16:00hrs You will depart the National park and proceed to Arusha town.
18:OOhrs You will
arrive at Arusha town thereafter, transfer to your hotel/residence.
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