”A Rewarding Hiking Destination”

This beautiful Park has often been called a “little germ” and rightly so. It is only ½ an hour by tarmac road from Arusha town, the safari center of Northern Tanzania. With mountains, valleys, lakes, and small plains clothed in green, it has a wonderful feeling of peace and solitude. It is dominated by Mount Meru, which at 4,566 m (14,980 ft) is the 5rd highest free standing mountain in Africa. 

This second highest mountain in Tanzania offers unforgettable experience and serves as acclimatization refuge before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Climate

The Park can be visited throughout the year; however the best time is between June to September and from December to early March. The short rainy period is from October to November and the heavy rain season is from March to May with annual average rainfall ranging from ….. to ….. mm. The park is located at an altitude between 1,700 and 4566 meters.

Getting there

The Park can be accessed by road or air.

By Road: From Arusha town to Ngongongare gate, it is about 32 km.

By Air: It is about 40 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Attractions

The Park is gifted with variety of attractions ranging from wildlife inhabiting the wilderness to craters and mountain peaks.

Serengeti Ndogo

Tourists enjoying walking at Serengeti ndogo

Wildlife

Black and white colubus monkey

Mount Meru

Ngurdoto and Meru Craters

This pear-shape Ngurdoto resembling just like a miniature of Ngorongoro crater comprises of five viewing points of mikindu, the Rock, Buffalo, the glade and Leitong being the highest point. From this point the snowy peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Momella lakes and lower slope with human settlement can be easily seen

Birds

(Lesser and greater flamingos in Momela Lakes)

Flamingos at Momella lakes

Tululusia Hill and waterfall

Tululusia hill meaning “lookout point” is a view point that provides an excellent view of the lower areas of Arusha National Park, Mount Meru and the majestic Kilimanjaro.

Tululusia Waterfall found on a narrow sided valley formed as a result of erosion of a soft volcanic soil leaving behind a steep gorge with the height of 28m (84ft). It’s a home of nesting Red-winged Starlings and having a chance of getting your photos around this natural environment are usually spectacular!

Lake Longil and Momella lakes

Lake Longil is the only fresh water lake in the park, inhabited with Tilapia fish and also there are Papyrus and Mace reed floating as Islands and changes their positions following the wind directions

The Momella Lakes with different mineral contents supports a different type of algae growth and this gives each lake a different color

Fig Tree Arch

Ngarenanyuki River (Engare Nanyokie)

This river originating from the montane forest and meru crater contains a brackish resulting from brown/alkaline water sources from the streams which joins the main river outside the park.

Activities

Arusha National Park is the Park of multi activities; These activities includes game drives, short walking safari, long walking safari National Park is a park of multi tourists activities; These includes Game Drives (GD), Short Walking Safaris (SWS), Long Walking Safaris (LWS), Canoeing, Mountain Climbing (MC), Horse Riding (HR) and Cycling.

Mountain hiking

Walking Safari

Arusha National Park is a great place for walking, and a place where one can enjoy natural forests in comfort because of the cool climate. Hiking has to be arranged at one of the 2 Gates. A fee is payable and any walk has to be accompanied by an armed Ranger.

Canoeing

Canoeing is possible by prior arrangement on Small Momella Lake, with buffao, giraffe, bushbuck, water buck and hippo often seen. Wading and water birds are of course common.

Horseback riding

Horseback trails have been established and can be combined with overnight stays in camps within the Park (but not the horses). By prior arrangement.

Game drive

Game drives are possible on a well maintained network of roads and tracks. It is an experience that tourists can get in a day game drive from Arusha Town.

Bird watching

Accommodations

There is one seasonal camp in the Mount Meru forest, and other special campsites that can be booked for travelers or companies with their own camps. There are huts for climbers of Mount Meru to use. Hotels and lodges for visitors to use are also sited outside the Park, and of course in Arusha itself.

Special campsites

Itikoni is one of the special campsite located on the northern part of the Park.

Ngongongare Special Campsites

This is another special campsite located on the southern part of the Park.

Public campsites

This is a kind of accommodation type that has facilities and services such as Kitchen, bathroom, toilet, store and water services. Prior booking is not required for the public camping

Rest house

It is a facility owned and operated by the Park. Prior booking is mandatory to confirm availability of the services. While at the Momela rest house a tourist can still view birds and animals of different species i,e.

Miriakamba Hut

It is one of the stopover point that tourists spend a night during ascending Mount Meru.

Saddle hut

It is also an accommodation owned and operated by the Park serving the tourists who are ascending and descending during Mount Meru challenging.

Full Itinerary Of Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park starting from Moshi — ideal for a short but rich safari combining game drives, walking safari, and scenic landscapes.

🦓 2-Day Itinerary: Moshi → Arusha National Park

Day 1: Moshi – Arusha National Park (Game Drive + Walking Safari)

Depart early morning from Moshi and drive to Arusha region.

• Travel time: 1.5–2 hours
• Arrive at Arusha National Park gate
• Meet your professional safari guide and begin activities

Morning Game Drive

• Explore diverse ecosystems:
  • Ngurdoto Crater area
  • Forest zones
  • Open savannah plains
• Wildlife sightings:
  • Giraffes
  • Zebras
  • Buffalo
  • Warthogs
  • Colobus monkeys

Midday

• Picnic lunch inside the park

Afternoon Walking Safari

• Guided walking safari with armed ranger
• Explore forest trails and wildlife on foot
• Learn about plants, birds, and animal tracks

Evening

• Short game drive or scenic photography at Momella Lakes
• Exit park and transfer to lodge in Arusha city or Mto wa Mbu area

Overnight: Lodge in Arusha or nearby area

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Day 2: Mount Meru Views + Cultural Experience + Return

Morning Activities

• Optional sunrise walk or short game drive
• View of Mount Meru landscapes
• Bird watching at Momella Lakes (flamingos and water birds)

Midday Cultural Option

• Visit Arusha city cultural heritage sites or local markets
• Optional Maasai village experience

Afternoon

• Drive back to Moshi
• Arrival in the evening