Mount Meru
Tanzania's second highest mountain dominates the park, offering a rewarding 3 to 4 day climb and superb views of Kilimanjaro.
Tanzania National Parks
Arusha National Park
Small but wonderfully varied, Arusha National Park offers forests full of colobus monkeys, flamingo-dotted lakes, walking and canoeing safaris and the towering slopes of Mount Meru.
- Location
- 25 km from Arusha
- Known For
- Mount Meru & Momella Lakes
- Wildlife
- Colobus, giraffe & buffalo
- Experience
- Walking & canoe safaris
Discover Arusha National Park
A small park with big landscapes.
Arusha National Park lies just a few kilometres northeast of Arusha city, with the main gate about 25 km east of the city, 58 km from Moshi and 35 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport. It is home to Mount Meru, a prominent volcano rising to 4,566 metres, the second highest peak in Tanzania.
The park is small but varied, with spectacular landscapes in three distinct areas: the Meru Crater in the west, the grassy Ngurdoto Crater in the southeast and the shallow alkaline Momella Lakes in the northeast, known for their changing colours and wading birds. On clear days, Kilimanjaro rises on the eastern horizon.
Why Arusha National Park
The perfect start or finish to your safari.
Close to Arusha and the airport, the park is ideal for a first or last day of safari, or for travellers who want to explore on foot.
Walking Safaris
Explore on foot with an armed ranger, one of the few northern parks where walking among giraffe and buffalo is possible.
Momella Lakes
Shallow alkaline lakes in shades of green and blue, dotted with flamingos and waterbirds, with optional canoeing on Small Momella Lake.
Colobus Forest
Montane forest home to black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and a wealth of birdlife, just minutes from the city.
Location
Where is Arusha National Park?
Arusha National Park is just northeast of Arusha city, about 25 km from the city to the main gate, 58 km from Moshi and 35 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport, making it the most accessible park in northern Tanzania.
The park lies on a 300 km axis of Africa's most famous parks, running from the Serengeti and Ngorongoro in the west to Kilimanjaro National Park in the east. Mount Meru, just 60 km from Kilimanjaro, forms its western backdrop.
When to visit
Every season tells a different Arusha National Park story.
The park can be visited year-round, with the dry seasons best for walking and climbing Mount Meru.
Dry Season
Clear skies, comfortable walking conditions and the best views of Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. The main season for climbing Meru.
Short Rains
Green scenery and active birdlife, with short afternoon showers.
Short Dry Season
Warm, clear days with excellent visibility and flamingos often present on the Momella Lakes.
Long Rains
The forest is at its lushest and visitors are few, though trails and the Meru climb can be wet and slippery.
What is the best month to visit Arusha National Park?
Each month offers something different, from clear mountain views to lush green forest.
Warm and clear, with good mountain views and flamingos on the lakes.
A great month for walking safaris and climbing Mount Meru before the rains.
Long rains begin and the forest becomes lush and green.
The wettest month; quiet, green and best for short game drives.
Rains ease and the park is at its greenest, with excellent birdlife.
Dry season begins, with crisp mornings and good walking conditions.
Cool and dry, ideal for climbing Mount Meru and walking safaris.
Clear skies and excellent views of Kilimanjaro from the park.
Dry and pleasant, one of the best months for all activities.
Warm and clear before the short rains, great for canoeing on the lakes.
Short rains refresh the forest; good for birding.
Green scenery and active birdlife, with fewer visitors.
Explore the area
Discover the different faces of Arusha National Park.
Three distinct areas give the park its remarkable variety.
Western parkMount Meru & Meru CraterThe volcano's dramatic crater, funnelling the Jekukumia River, with the summit of Mount Meru on its rim.
SoutheastNgurdoto CraterA grassy crater surrounded by forest, often called Little Ngorongoro, where buffalo and warthogs graze below viewpoints on the rim.
NortheastMomella LakesShallow alkaline lakes with varying algae colours, known for flamingos, waders and canoeing on Small Momella Lake.
Central parkMontane ForestLush forest home to black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, bushbuck and colourful turacos.
Wildlife
Forests, lakes and mountain wildlife.
The park contains a rich variety of flora and fauna across its forests, crater and lakes. Black-and-white colobus monkeys leap through the forest canopy, giraffes and buffalo graze the open glades, and flamingos and waterbirds gather on the Momella Lakes.
With no lions in the park, Arusha National Park is one of the few northern parks where walking safaris are possible, offering a close and quiet way to experience wildlife.
12 animals to look for
Black-and-white colobus
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Montane forest, especially near Ngurdoto
The park's signature animal, with flowing black-and-white coats, often seen leaping through the canopy.
1 / 12
Giraffe
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Open glades and grasslands
Masai giraffes are common and easily seen, sometimes on walking safaris.
2 / 12
Buffalo
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Ngurdoto Crater floor and forest edges
Herds graze the crater floor and open areas of the park.
3 / 12
Elephant
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Forest on the slopes of Mount Meru
Present in the forests but shy and less often seen than in larger parks.
4 / 12
Leopard
Chance of seeingRare
Where to look: Forest and the slopes of Mount Meru
Present but rarely seen in the thick forest.
5 / 12
Flamingo
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Momella Lakes
Lesser and greater flamingos gather on the alkaline lakes, numbers varying by season.
6 / 12
Blue monkey
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Montane forest
A gentle forest monkey often seen in the trees near the road.
7 / 12
Zebra
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Open grassland near the lakes
Small herds graze around the Momella Lakes.
8 / 12
Hippo
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Small Momella Lake and pools
Seen in the lakes and pools, especially in the early morning.
9 / 12
Warthog
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Ngurdoto Crater and open areas
Common grazers, often seen with their tails raised as they trot away.
10 / 12
Bushbuck
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Forest edges and thickets
A shy, beautifully marked antelope of the forest edge.
11 / 12
Kirk's dik-dik
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Bushy areas throughout the park
A tiny antelope often seen in pairs along the roadside.
12 / 12
Climb Mount Meru
Tanzania's second highest peak.
At 4,566 metres, Mount Meru is a superb climb in its own right and the perfect acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro. The trek usually takes 3 to 4 days, starting with a walk through wildlife-rich grassland and forest accompanied by an armed ranger.
From the summit ridge, sunrise views across to Kilimanjaro are unforgettable. Climbers stay in mountain huts, and the dramatic crater rim makes the final ascent one of the most scenic in East Africa.
Safaris to 中文
Arusha National Park safaris & climbs
Day trips, walking safaris and Mount Meru climbs, often combined with Kilimanjaro or a northern circuit safari.
Tanzania · 10 days
10-Day Exceptional Northern Tanzania Safari: A Luxury Tour by Air
Tarangire · Lake Manyara · Serengeti
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 4 days
4-Day Serengeti Luxury Fly-In Safari
Serengeti
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 5 days
5-Day Ultimate Fly-In/Out Safari from Arusha/Zanzibar
Serengeti · Ngorongoro
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 2 days
2-Day Ngorongoro Crater Luxury Safari Prodigy
Ngorongoro
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 5 days
5-Day Ultimate Luxury Fly-In & Out Prodigy
Serengeti · Ngorongoro
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 5 days
5-Day Classic Safari (Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Manyara)
Ngorongoro
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 6 days
6-Day Buffalo Safari Experience
Tarangire · Ngorongoro
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 11 days
11-Day Enchanting Trip Experience
Tarangire · Ngorongoro · Serengeti · Lake Natron
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 15 days
15-Day The Best of the Northern Circuit Taste
Tarangire · Ngorongoro · Serengeti · Lake Natron
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Stay in 中文
Where to stay near Arusha National Park
Comfortable lodges in Arusha and on the slopes of Mount Meru, close to the park gate.
Silver tier
Arusha, TanzaniaShoki Shoki LodgeA cozy garden retreat at the foot of Mount Meru, the perfect place to rest before or after your safari.Mount Meru viewsView lodge
Gold tier
Arusha, TanzaniaArusha Planet LodgeAn eco-friendly retreat in lush tropical gardens on the quiet outskirts of Arusha, just minutes from the city centre.Eco-friendly lodgeView lodge
Platinum tier
Arusha, TanzaniaGran Meliá ArushaA five-star urban oasis set among coffee and tea plantations, with sweeping views of Mount Meru.5-star city hotelView lodge
GipsonTravel ExpertOnline
Planning a visit to Arusha National Park?
Tell us whether you would like a day trip, a walking safari or a Mount Meru climb, and we will plan the perfect experience.
Usually replies within minutesHeritage
The story behind Arusha National Park.
Mount Meru and its forests have long been important to the Meru and Arusha peoples who farm its fertile lower slopes. The park was first established as Ngurdoto Crater National Park in 1960, and Mount Meru and the Momella Lakes were added in 1967, when it took the name Arusha National Park.
Momella was once home to the farm where the film Hatari! was shot in the early 1960s. Today the park protects vital forest catchment for the region and offers visitors a gentle introduction to Tanzania's wildlife within sight of two great mountains.
Is Arusha National Park worth visiting?
Yes. It offers varied scenery, walking and canoe safaris, colobus monkeys and Mount Meru, all close to Arusha and the airport.
Are there lions in Arusha National Park?
No, there are no lions, which is why walking safaris are possible. Leopards and elephants are present but shy.
How long do I need for Arusha National Park?
A day trip is enough for a game drive, a walk and a visit to the Momella Lakes. Climbing Mount Meru takes 3 to 4 days.
Can I see Kilimanjaro from the park?
Yes, on clear days, especially early in the morning during the dry season.
How difficult is the Mount Meru climb?
It is a challenging but non-technical trek, ideal for fit hikers and a great acclimatisation climb before Kilimanjaro.
Can Arusha National Park be combined with other parks?
Yes. It is a perfect first or last day of a northern circuit safari, or a warm-up before climbing Kilimanjaro.
Your safari starts here
Ready to explore Arusha National Park?
Let Gip Adventure plan a day safari, walking adventure or Mount Meru climb just outside Arusha.