A wild gem hiding in plain sight 37km from the city.
Arusha National Park is the smallest but perhaps the most ecologically diverse park in Tanzania. Established in 1960 and covering just 137 km², it packs an extraordinary range of habitats into a compact space from the forests of Ngurdoto Crater to the glittering Momella Lakes and the dramatic slopes of Mount Meru, Tanzania's second-highest peak at 4,566 metres.
The park sits just 37km east of Arusha town the safari capital of East Africa making it the most accessible wilderness in the country. Despite its proximity to the city, Arusha receives a fraction of the visitors that flock to the Serengeti or Ngorongoro, preserving a quiet, intimate atmosphere that is increasingly rare in Tanzanian parks.
The Momella Lakes, fed by underground streams from Mount Meru, attract large flocks of flamingo and other waterbirds. The forests shelter the striking black-and-white colobus monkey, while the open grasslands host giraffe, buffalo, zebra, and waterbuck. On clear days, Kilimanjaro is visible on the horizon a reminder of the extraordinary landscapes that surround this small but remarkable park.
Size
137 km²
Best Time to Visit
October – April (birding)
Wildlife
Colobus Monkey · Giraffe · Buffalo · Hippo · Flamingo · Leopard
Highlights
Arusha is where our own guides and vehicles are based — 37km from Arusha National Park itself, and the first stop on almost every itinerary we run.
Plan Your Safari
