Why Arusha National Park?
Small but packed with variety, Arusha National Park sits at the foot of Mount Meru which is Tanzania’s second-highest peak, just a short drive from Arusha town. Within this compact stretch you’ll find montane forest, the dramatic Ngurdoto Crater (often called “Little Ngorongoro”), and the shallow, alkaline Momella Lakes, where flamingos and other waterbirds gather with views stretching all the way to Kilimanjaro on a clear day.
It is also one of the few parks in Tanzania without big predators, which is exactly what makes walking safaris and canoe trips on the Momella Lakes possible which is a refreshingly different way to experience the bush. It’s also one of the best spots in the country for close-up giraffe sightings, alongside buffalo, zebra, warthog, and colobus monkeys moving through the forest canopy. It works well as a half or full-day add-on at the start or end of a longer Tanzania safari, or as a base for climbing Mount Meru
Let Inland Safari Adventures make Arusha National Park your gentle introduction to Tanzania or the perfect final stop before you fly home
How to Get to Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is one of the most accessible parks in Tanzania, located just 25–45 minutes from Arusha town and about an hour from Kilimanjaro International Airport. This makes it ideal as a first or last stop on your safari, or as a half-day excursion for guests with time to spare before an international flight.
Our team can easily combine a visit here with your arrival or departure day, with no need for internal flights or long transfers.
Top activities in Arusha National Park
Game Drives Explore the Ngurdoto Crater rim, the Momella Lakes, and surrounding savanna for giraffe, buffalo, zebra, and abundant birdlife.
Canoe Safaris Paddle across the Momella Lakes… a rare activity for an African national park for close encounters with waterbirds and hippos from water level.
Walking Safaris With no resident lions, Arusha is one of the few parks where guided walking safaris through forest and savanna are permitted.
Mount Meru Trekking Climb Tanzania’s second-highest peak (4,562m), a spectacular multi-day trek often used as acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro.
Colobus Monkey Spotting Wander through montane forest alive with black-and-white colobus monkeys, one of Arusha’s signature sightings.
