Arusha National Park is the closest park to Arusha and often overlooked. It is small, green and scenic, with forest, lakes and the slopes of Mount Meru. It is one of the few places in northern Tanzania where you can walk among wildlife inside a national park, which makes it an excellent first or last day.
Arusha National Park at a glance
| Distance from Arusha | about 40 minutes by road |
| Best known for | Walking safaris, canoeing, colobus monkeys, Mount Meru |
| Best time | June to February |
| Recommended stay | One full day |
Three areas in one park
Ngurdoto Crater
A small, forested crater with a marshy floor. Visitors view it from the rim. Buffalo and warthogs often graze below.
Momella Lakes
A group of shallow alkaline lakes, each a slightly different colour. Flamingos and other water birds gather here, and hippos live in some of the lakes.
Mount Meru
At 4,566 metres, Mount Meru is Tanzania’s second-highest mountain. Its lower slopes are covered in montane forest with fig trees, waterfalls and colobus monkeys.
Wildlife
- Black-and-white colobus monkeys: easy to see in the forest.
- Giraffes: common across the grasslands.
- Buffalo, zebras, warthogs and bushbuck.
- Hippos in the lakes.
- Birds: flamingos, turacos, trogons and many forest species.
Big cats and elephants are rarely seen, and there are no rhinos. The park is about scenery, walking and variety.
Things to do
| Activity | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Game drive | Half or full day | Covers all three areas |
| Walking safari | 2–4 hours | With an armed park ranger |
| Canoeing | 2–3 hours | On Small Momella Lake, weather permitting |
| Mount Meru climb | 3–4 days | Hut-based, with an armed ranger |
Walking safaris
Walking is allowed in Arusha National Park with an armed ranger. You follow trails through grassland and forest, sometimes close to giraffes and buffalo, and visit waterfalls on the lower slopes of Meru. It is a different way to see the bush after days in a vehicle.
Arusha National Park and Kilimanjaro
Many trekkers visit the park, or climb Mount Meru, before Kilimanjaro. A Meru climb helps with acclimatisation. Our Kilimanjaro & Serengeti trip combines a climb with a safari.
When to visit
The park is open all year. June to February is generally drier and better for walking and canoeing. The long rains from March to May make some trails muddy. Clear mornings from December to February often give views of Kilimanjaro to the east.
How to fit it into your trip
- On arrival day: if your flight lands early, a half day in the park is a gentle start.
- On your last day: it is close to Kilimanjaro Airport, so it works before an evening flight.
- As a rest day: between a safari and a climb.
For the classic parks, read our guides to Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, or see The Northern Loop.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The main gate is about 40 minutes from Arusha town, so a full day in the park fits easily before or after your main safari.
Lions are very rarely seen. The park is known for giraffes, buffalo, colobus monkeys, birds and scenery rather than big cats.
Yes. Mount Meru is usually climbed in three or four days, with an armed ranger. It is also good acclimatisation before Kilimanjaro.
