Arusha National Park is located in the Arusha region of Tanzania. Though it is one of the smallest national parks in the country, it is known for its beautiful scenery, rich wildlife, and wide variety of bird species.
The park features rainforests, savannah grasslands, alpine vegetation, swamps, and lakes. One of its unique attractions is an arch-shaped tree large enough for a car or even an elephant to pass through.
The name “Arusha” comes from the Waarusha people, the local community that originally lived in the area before it was declared a national park.
History of Arusha National Park
In 1876, a Hungarian traveler visited the area and was amazed by the large number of black rhinos and hippos around Momella. Later, in 1907, the Trapp family moved to the Momella area, started farming, and established ranches.
When plans to protect the area began, Mrs. Trapp donated part of her land to help create a game reserve. She became known as the first professional woman hunter in East Africa.
The park was first established as Ngurdoto Crater National Park in 1960, with land from the Trapp farm added to it. In 1967, parts of Mount Meru were included, and the park was renamed Arusha National Park.
Wildlife Watching
Despite its small size, Arusha National Park has a high concentration of animals, especially giraffes. During game drives, visitors can spot elephants, buffalos, bushbucks, leopards, warthogs, hippos, red duikers, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and vervet monkeys.
The best time to watch wildlife is early in the morning or late in the evening when animals are most active.
Ujambo wa Mbogo (Buffalo Glade)
Ujambo wa Mbogo, meaning “Buffalo Glade” in Swahili, is located at the foothills of Mount Meru. It is best explored on foot, giving visitors a closer look at nature. Hippos are the main residents of the glade, but other animals also visit the area regularly.
Birding in Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is one of Tanzania’s top birding spots, with over 400 species of birds.
Some of the birds you can see include the grey-crowned crane, African spoonbill, pink-backed pelican, Egyptian goose, greater flamingo, African jacana, African sacred ibis, yellow-billed stork, Hartlaub’s turaco, black-necked grebe, African olive pigeon, vulturine guinea fowl, white-bellied bustard, purple heron, African palm swift, white-winged tern, crowned eagle, white-headed vulture, and black-winged kite.
Bird watching is best enjoyed around the Momella Lakes and forested areas of the park.
Ngurdoto Crater
Ngurdoto Crater, often called “Mini Serengeti,” resembles the famous Ngorongoro Crater. It is about 300 meters deep and 3.2 kilometers wide. The crater floor is home to elephants, buffalos, warthogs, Kirk’s dik-dik, red duikers, and olive baboons.
Visitors cannot drive inside the crater, but guided nature walks led by park rangers offer an excellent way to explore its beautiful interior.
Momella Lakes
The Momella Lakes are a chain of seven alkaline lakes in the northeastern part of the park. These include Lake El Kakhotoito, Lake Kusare, Lake Tulisia, Lake Lekandiro, Lake Rishateni, Big Momella Lake, and Small Momella Lake.
Each lake has a different color caused by volcanic minerals and debris from a massive eruption of Mount Meru about 250,000 years ago.
Although the water is too alkaline for animals to drink, many can be seen around the shores, and the lakes attract large numbers of flamingos and other birds.
Tululusia Waterfalls
The Tululusia Waterfalls, located at 1,660 meters above sea level near the foothills of Mount Meru, drop about 28 meters over a large rock. The area is perfect for nature walks, bird watching, and picnics. The waterfalls are a peaceful place to relax and enjoy the sound of nature.
Ngurdoto Museum
The Ngurdoto Museum is located inside Arusha National Park and offers valuable information about the park’s history, wildlife, and geology. Visitors can see animal skeletons, preserved specimens, and educational exhibits about Ngurdoto Crater and the park’s ecosystem.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru, located within Arusha National Park, rises 4,562 meters above sea level and is Tanzania’s second-highest mountain after Mount Kilimanjaro.
It is believed that Mount Meru was once taller than Kilimanjaro before its peak collapsed about 7,800 years ago, forming a wide crater. The last small eruption occurred in 1910.
Climbing Mount Meru usually takes 4 to 5 days, depending on a hiker’s pace. The trek begins at Momella Gate, and hikers stay in basic huts along the route.
Many climbers use Mount Meru as preparation for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, as it helps with altitude adjustment.
Travelers planning to hike Mount Meru should pack:
- Waterproof hiking boots and raincoats
- Long-sleeved clothing
- Insect repellent, hats, and sunglasses
- Plenty of drinking water and energy snacks
Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro, located about 60 kilometers from Mount Meru, is the highest mountain in Africa and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain.
It lies within Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, one of Tanzania’s most famous destinations for mountain climbing and hiking.
Many visitors combine trips to Arusha National Park with Kilimanjaro for a complete northern Tanzania experience.
Serengeti National Park
Travelers visiting Arusha National Park can easily add Serengeti National Park to their safari itinerary.
The Serengeti is world-famous for the Great Wildebeest Migration, where millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles move between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara each year.
While in Serengeti, visitors can see the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—along with hundreds of bird species such as:
Fischer’s lovebird, Hildebrandt’s starling, rufous-tailed weaver, southern ground hornbill, grey-backed fiscal, Verreaux’s eagle, yellow-throated sandgrouse, Usambiro barbet, red-capped robin chat, Rüppell’s vulture, and bare-faced go-away bird.
Other Tourist Destinations Near Arusha National Park
Visitors can also explore other destinations in Tanzania’s northern safari circuit, including:
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area – famous for the Ngorongoro Crater and dense wildlife.
- Tarangire National Park – known for its large elephant herds and baobab trees.
- Lake Manyara National Park – home to tree-climbing lions and pink flamingos.
- Mount Kilimanjaro National Park – Africa’s highest mountain and a top hiking spot.
- Olduvai Gorge – a major archaeological site known as the “Cradle of Mankind.”
Getting to Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is conveniently located about 25 kilometers east of Arusha city, 35 kilometers from Kilimanjaro International Airport, and 58 kilometers from Moshi town.
Travelers can:
- Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport and then drive to the park.
- Fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and connect to Kilimanjaro.
- Drive from Dar es Salaam to Arusha, which takes several hours but offers scenic views of the countryside.
Roads leading to the park are well-maintained, making it easy to access year-round.
When to Visit Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is open to visitors throughout the year, but the best time to visit is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February.
During these months, the weather is pleasant, roads are dry, and wildlife is easier to spot around water sources.
For birdwatchers, the best months are November to April, when migratory birds arrive from Europe and North Africa.
Where to Stay in Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park can easily be visited on a day trip from Arusha town, but travelers who wish to stay overnight have several accommodation options both inside and near the park.
Some of the popular places to stay include Masai Land Safari Lodge, Burka Coffee Lodge, Natron Palace Hotel, Pazzuri Inn Lodge, Meru House Lekisilia, Shamba Lodge, Itikoni Camp, Meru Mbega Lodge, The Milimani Lodge, New Hotel Aquiline Arusha, Le Jacaranda Hotel, River Trees Country Inn, Lemala Villa, Mount Meru Game Lodge, Green Mountain Hotel, Sinzia Villas, Arumeru River Lodge, Fun Retreat Resort Hotel, Ayurveda Spa, Boulevard Inn Mount Meru, Mrimba Palm Hotel, and Mvuli Hotels Arusha.
These accommodations range from budget to mid-range and luxury, offering comfort for every traveler depending on preference and budget.
