Overview

Arusha National Park is located in Tanzania in East Africa. It is home to the second tallest mountain in the country; Mount Meru. It is a small park covering about 552 sq. km. But it is home to many attractions. It is excellent for watching birds.

Arusha National Park animals

Arusha National Park is one the best destinations in the northern safari circuit in Tanzania. It is home to many wildlife species. The most common animals are buffalos, zebras, giraffes, blue monkeys, and white and black colobus. You may also spot dik-dik, red duiker, elephants, cheetahs, wild dogs, leopards, and hippos among others. The forest in the park provides a good habitat for these animals.

Tourists can enjoy wildlife viewing in the park across the year. But it is much easier to spot animals during the dry season. This is between June and October. Animals gather around sources of water in this season. Vegetation is also thinner. During the wet season, roads may not be passable.

Birdlife

Arusha National Park safaris are best for watching birds. This small park has recorded over 40 bird species. The most common species are the Greater flamingo, lesser flamingo, and hornbills. Momella lake is a great spot to view water birds. You can see ducks, waders, flamingos, and pelicans among other species. Ngurdoto Crater is another great viewing point. You can spot species such as raptors, eagles, and augur buzzards. Between November and April, migratory birds are common in the park.

Mount Meru

Mount Meru stands at the center of the park. It rises to 4,566 meters making it the second-highest mountain in Tanzania. Travelers enjoy activities such as mountain climbing and nature walks along the crater.

Ngurdoto Crater is another feature of the park. It is among the beautiful volcanic calderas in Tanzania. It looks like the Ngorongoro crater. It has a depth of 300 meters and a diameter of 3.2 kilometers. It has dense rainforests. Marshy grasslands dominate its floor, which is home to many species of animals. You can explore this crater through walking safaris.

Tulusia Hill

Tulusia Hill is a scenic feature in Arusha National Park. It hosts animals such as buffalos, colobus, and pythons. It is home to Tulusia Falls and colorful vegetation.

Momela Lakes

Arusha National Park hosts Momela Lakes. These are 7 alkaline lakes that are best for birdies. They are home to many species of birds.

FAQs About Arusha National Park

• Where is Arusha National Park?

Arusha National Park is located in Arusha, on the northeastern side of Tanzania. It is 35 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport and 58 km from Moshi. Its coordinates are 3.2500° S and 36.7500° E. You can easily get there by road or air depending on your location.

• What to do at Arusha National Park?

Tourists enjoy many activities in Arusha National Park. The main activities are mountain hiking and wildlife viewing. Other activities are walking safaris, canoeing on Momela Lakes, watching birds, and exploring the crater.

• Which is the best time to visit Arusha National Park?

Arusha National Park is usually cool. The dry season is between June and September. Temperatures are around 19°C daytime and 9°C at night. Tourists need warm clothes, especially for early morning drives. This is the best time to visit the park. It is easier to spot animals.

The wet season is between November to December and March to May. Afternoon temperatures are around 23°C. They drop to around 11°C at night. Rains may interfere with most of the park’s activities.

• How to get to Arusha National Park?

You can get there by road or air. Arusha National Park is 45 minutes away from Arusha town. Tourists enjoy drives from this town to the park. You can also fly to the park. Tourists can fly directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport. It is about 46 km from Arusha. If at Julius Nyerere International Airport, tourists can take domestic flights to Arusha Airport. Your tour operator will pick you up from the airport to the park.