Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park (ANAPA) 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 laid-back and quiet pace, and while passing through the forest many visitors stop to search for troupes of rare colubus monkeys playing in the canopy.
Situated just a short drive from Arusha and Moshi, Arusha National Park is one of Tanzania's most convenient parks and is a fantastic destination for a day trip and makes for a great beginning or end to any Tanzanian itinerary.
Arusha National Park hosts a wide variety of landscapes, ranging from vast savannah and rainforest through to acacia woodlands and up to alpine vegetation on the higher reaches of Mount Meru.
At just over 200 square miles, Arusha National Park has great wildlife densities, and it is home to the world's largest population of giraffe. Black and white colobus monkeys, the Vervet monkeys, the red forest duikers, hippos, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, bushbucks. Leopards are rare. Hosting to more than 400 numbers of bird species it is a grand choice for the bird lovers.
Arusha National Park can generally be explored in a day and is a great stand-alone adventure due to its proximity to Arusha and Moshi, and thanks to its small size. It also pairs well with longer itineraries on the northern safari circuit, including the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park.
The Ngurdoto Crater
Well-Known as mini Ngorongoro Crater, The Ngurdoto Crater is a dormant volcanic crater located in Arusha National Park. The park is 3.6 Km in diameter and 100 meters in depth. It is surrounded by forests but diverse ecosystem.
Momela Lakes
The collections of beauty of seven lakes contribute the tranquil beauty of the Momela Lake. The seven lakes are big Momela, small Momela, El Kekhotoito, Kusare, Rishateni, Lekandiro and Tulusia. All the seven lakes are fed by different water sources.
All the seven lakes are different in colour algae and mineral content according to the presence of algae and mineral content. The lakes are hubs of 400 bird species that inhabit Arusha.
Mount Meru
Draws the main tourist attraction of Arusha National Park is. With a height of 4,566 meters, it is the fifth-highest mountain in Africa and second-highest in Tanzania. It is visible from every part of the park.
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.
When to Go
The best time to visit Arusha National Park is from June to October, during the dry season. It is easier to spot the wildlife - since they normally gather around the waterholes
Tours & Safaris
Packages to Arusha National Park
Destinations near Arusha National Park
These nearby destinations have a lot to offer
