Arusha National Park, Tanzania Parks

The Park is a habitant of Mount Meru which is a prominent volcano with an elevation of 4566 m in Arusha Region of north eastern Tanzania.

The park is small but varied with spectacular landscapes in three distinct areas such as; in the west, the Meru Crater funnels the Jekukumia River of which the peak of Mount Meru lies on its rim.

Ngurdoto Crater in the south-east is grassland and the shallow alkaline Momella Lakes in the north-east have varying algal colors and are known for their wading birds.

Mount Meru is the second highest peak in Tanzania after Mount Kilimanjaro which is just 60 km away and forms a backdrop to views from the park to the east. Arusha National Park lies on a 300-kilometre axis of Africa’s most famous national parks running from Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in the west to Kilimanjaro National Park in the east.

Arusha national park is just a few kilometers north east of Arusha though the main gate is 25 km east of the city (Arusha). It is also 58 km from Moshi and 35 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA).

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 like Serengeti.

Despite the small size of the park, common animals include; giraffes, Cape buffaloes, zebras, warthogs, the black-and-white Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, flamingos, elephants, lions and Leopard which are present but rarely seen, just to mention but a few.

Birdlife in the forest 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.

Thus your visit to the Park will be a memorable one since you will view an abundance of wildlife and you will be amazed just how close the animals will be willing to come to your vehicle.

Accommodations in the Park are of good quality and they include; Kilimanjaro eco lodge, Ngurdoto mountain lodge, Kaswende farm, Kiboko lodge, Tanzania mountains view lodge and camp, Meru view lodge, Meru Mbega lodge and many more.