Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park covers Mount Meru, a prominent volcano with an elevation of 4566 m, in the Arusha Region of north eastern Tanzania. The park is small but varied with spectacular landscapes in three distinct areas. In the west, the Meru Crater funnels the Jekukumia River; the peak of Mount Meru lies on its rim. Ngurdoto Crater in the south-east is grassland. The shallow alkaline Momella Lakes in the north-east have varying algal colours 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.

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

Wildlife

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. Despite the small size of the park, common animals include giraffe, Cape buffalo, zebra, warthog, the black-and-white colobus monkey, the blue monkey, flamingo, elephant, bushbuck and many other African animals. Leopard populations are present, but rarely seen. 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.

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
There are no tips nor hints for Arusha National Park yet. Maybe be you will be the first one to post useful information for fellow travellers? :)

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Lake Duluti Lodge

starting $365

Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge

starting $130

Arumeru River Lodge

starting $171

Christina House

starting $45

Nejobugg Palace Hotel

starting $65

Moivaro Coffee Lodge

starting $270

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Arusha Declaration Monument

The Arusha Declaration Monument (Swahili: Mnara wa Azimio la Arusha)

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre

The Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre is located in Arusha, Tanzania. It

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro National Park is a Tanzanian national park, located 300

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is a protected area in Tanzania's Arusha

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area or NCA is a conservation area

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Laetoli

Laetoli is a site in Tanzania, dated to the Plio-Pleistocene and

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Olduvai Gorge Museum

The Olduvai Gorge Museum is located in the Ngorongoro Conservation

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park (joʊˈsɛmɨtiː) is a national park located in t

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Los Glaciares National Park

Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Spanish: The Glaciers) is a national

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park is located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains along

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park, in southwest South Dakota, United States

See all similar places