Arusha National Park is one of the most breathtaking yet overlooked Protected Areas in Tanzania. It is characterized by gem of varied ecosystems as well as jaw-dropping views of Mount Meru (5th highest mountain in Africa), the stunning Crater from which the park derived its name.
This park is a renowned destination for visitors interested in day tours along the northern circuit and is the multi-faced treasure in addition to being the nearest protected area to the town of Arusha.
Size of Arusha National Park.
Arusha National Park extends for only 552 square kilometers (212 square miles) and covers the jaw-dropping Mount. Meru, a protrusive volcano with an altitude of 4,566 meters above sea level and the second highest peak in the country after Mount Kilimanjaro.
Location of Arusha National Park.
The national park of Arusha is located within the Arusha region of North-eastern Tanzania and only 25 kilometers north-east of Arusha City. To the west of the Park is Meru Crater that feeds into River Jekukumia while the Peak of the Mountain is found on its edge. To the north-east is the shallow alkaline Momella Lakes characterized by beautiful algal colors and popular for shoreline and mud-dominating bird species.
To the south-east of Arusha National Park is the stunning Ngurdoto Crater characterized by lush grasslands. These incredibly magnificent and varied landscapes make Arusha National Park one of the most beautiful places in Tanzania. The Park is also on a 186-mile axis of the Continent’s most popular National Parks including Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti in the west to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park in the East.
History of Arusha National Park.
Arusha National Park was gazetted in 1960 and is currently managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority.
BEAUTIFUL ATTRACTIONS WITHIN ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK.
Arusha National Park is home to several spectacular attractions that range from wildlife, birdlife, slopes and summit of Mount Meru, the verdant highland forests, Ngurdoto Crater, Momela Lakes to the savannah grasslands.
Animals
Arusha National Park hosts a wide array of wildlife species and visitors to this Park expect an exceptional wildlife viewing experiences. Regardless of its small size, this National Park is haven to Cape buffaloes, African bush elephants, Reedbucks, common warthogs, blue monkeys, Rothschild giraffes, pythons, herds of Burchell’s zebras, Suni, leopards, black and white colobus monkeys, the shy bushbucks, Defassa waterbucks, red duikers, Dik-dik and spotted hyenas in the scrubby bush lands.
Birdlife
Arusha National Park boasts of prolific birdlife with numerous savannah, forest and aquatic bird species that include Kingfishers, little bee-eaters, flamingos, Cormorants, long-crested eagles, Narina trogon, starlings, silvery-cheeked hornbills, bar-tailed trogon and many others.
Spectacular sceneries
Spectacular sceneries also include views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain which is only 60 kilometers from Arusha National Park. This Mountain forms a backdrop to views from the National Park to the East. Lush rolling hills surround the serene beauty of Momela Lakes to the North and shelter a rich diversity of animals-giraffes and waterbucks across the grassy hills. Ngurdoto Crater enclosed by a verdant rainforest is a smaller version of the Ngorongoro Crater with a diameter of only about 3 kilometers with steep sides as well as grasslands around its Crater. It features several viewpoints around its edge for watching the wildlife especially Cape buffaloes and common warthogs.
The seven beautiful alkaline Lakes of Momela mark the northeast of Arusha National Park and are characterized by varying brilliant colors because of alga that grow in them. Several bird species live in these Lakes and survive on them.
There is also Lake Longil, the only freshwater Lake in the National Park and is frequently visited by Defassa waterbucks and Cape buffaloes.
Tululusia Hill is another spectacular landscape in Arusha National Park and is a famous camping and hiking area with visitors guaranteed of jaw-dropping views of the Park. The area is also home to elephants, monkeys, pythons and duikers.
INTERESTING TOURIST ACTIVITIES WITHIN ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK.
Climbing Mount. Meru.
Visitors to Arusha National Park can climb Mount Meru through the well-maintained hiking trails that crisscross its lower and upper slopes. A 3-day trek ushers climbers/hikers to Mount Meru’s Crater summit and offers a challenging and quieter option to the nearby Mount Kilimanjaro.
Trails along the lower slopes lead to waterfalls and rivers as well as ancient fig tree forests, a chance to spot primates such as the black and white colobus monkeys and blue monkeys as well as crystal clear waters streaming from the different mountain Rivers.
Birding.
Bird watching is another exciting tourist activity for visitors to Arusha National Park and birds are sighted during canoe rides, walking safaris and game drives. Expect to see the flamingos, Cormorants, long-crested eagles, Narina trogon, starlings, silvery-cheeked hornbills, bar-tailed trogon and many others.
Walking Safaris.
The spectacular landscapes of Arusha National Park make walking safaris more exciting and rewarding. For visitors interested in coming close to the moss-covered trees as well as the unique wildlife species of the Park can take part in walking safaris. The most sought-after wildlife species during these guided walks include Rothschild giraffes, common warthogs, Cape buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks as well as unique bird species that include the bar-tailed trogon, silvery-cheeked hornbills, long-crested eagles and many others.
Guided nature walks towards the Momella Lakes introduce visitors to the Defassa waterbucks, mountain reedbucks and wide range of bird species such as Kingfishers, flamingos, cormorants and many others.
Game drives.
Undertaking game drives in Arusha National Park reward visitors with unmatched wildlife viewing experiences with animals such as elephants, Masai giraffes, common warthogs, Defassa waterbucks, bushbucks, Cape buffaloes and spotted hyenas to be expected. The best time for game drives is morning and afternoon when animals are very active.
Camping and picnics.
The landscape of this Park makes it possible to camp and experience the wilderness closer and given the closeness of the Park to Arusha Town, day trips with picnics are also possible in Arusha National Park. It is overlooked but is one of the most beautiful places for visitors interested in camping and picnics.
Canoe rides.
Canoe rides in Arusha National Park can be undertaken on the small Momella Lakes (El Kekhotoito, big Momella, Kusare, small Momella, Rishateni, Lekandiro and Tulusia) introduce visitors to several bird species especially the long-crested eagles, cormorants and kingfishers among others.
BEST TIME TO VISIT ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK.
Arusha National Park is a wonderful all-year-round destination for game drives, birding tours, canoe rides, walking safaris and mountain climbing among others. Game viewing and walking safaris are best done in the dry season-June to October and late December to February. Best experiences from birding tours are achieved during the rainy season-especially in November and April when numerous migratory bird species from North Africa and Europe flock the alkaline Lakes. These months are also breeding time for birds in this Park.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN EXPLORING ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK?
Arusha National Park and surrounding areas offer outstanding places for visitors to stay while exploring the beauty of this wilderness Area. The accommodation facilities cater for the needs of all visitor categories-budget, midrange and luxury, and they include;
Kiboko Lodge.
This beautiful Lodge borders Arusha National Park, strategically located at the foot of Mount Meru and is only 4 kilometers from the Park’s main entrance. It features 14 self-contained rooms and 5 family rooms with each having spacious verandas, fireplace, private toilets, showers and large mosquito-covered beds, a cozy restaurant with roofs made of palm leaves, open kitchen and many other facilities.
Arumeru River Lodge.
This Safari Lodge is incredibly located outside Arusha National Park and offers 21 spacious rooms, a family cottage and 6 suites. It has a large main Lodge area, beautiful lush gardens for visitor relaxation while admiring the beauty of Mother Nature.
Arusha Coffee Lodge.
The Arusha Coffee Lodge is beautifully located within an old coffee plantation outside Arusha National Park and made up of an old plantation house sheltering a lounge area, restaurant and well-stocked bar. There are a total of 30 luxurious plantation houses with en-suite rooms and suites with indoor fireplaces and vast seating areas. The property also has several coffee shops for delicious coffee, restaurants and Boutiques.
Other magnificent accommodation facilities within or around Arusha National Park include Palace Hotel Arusha, Hatari Lodge, Kutoka Lodge, Mount. Meru Game Lodge, River – trees Country Inn, Lake Duluti Lodge and many others.
HOW TO GET TO THE SPECTACULAR ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK?
The beautiful Arusha National Park is found in north-eastern Tanzania and its main entrance is only about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) east of Arusha City. The park is also only 58 kilometers/36 miles from Moshi City (Capital of Kilimanjaro) and approximately 35 kilometers/21.7 miles from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
The park is only 30-40 minutes’ drive from Arusha and only half an hour from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Besides Arusha National Park, Tanzania is home to other endowed National Parks that include Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, Gombe Stream National Park, Saadani, Ruaha, Udzungwa Mountains, Mkomazi, Katavi, Lake Manyara, Mahale Mountains, Tarangire, Mikumi and west Kilimanjaro National Parks as well as Game Reserves that include Selous and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
