400 bird species including herons, egrets, ibis, turacos, and the African prochard can be found in the park.There are fewer large animals (making conditions safer for walking safaris), but still there are elephants, giraffes, leopards, buffalo, and hyenas. Smaller animals include a wide variety of monkey, antelope, reedbuck, baboons, and warthogs.
Highlights
| Price: $ | Prominent features: Mount Meru, colorful Momela lakes |
| Popularity: ♦♦ | Prominent wildlife: birds, Colobus monkey, antelope, buffalo, giraffe, flamingo |
| Activities: boating, hiking, walking safaris, picnicking, mountain climbing |
The towering Mount Meru is the second highest peak in Tanzania, and is the majestic backdrop for the city of Arusha. This smaller reserve offers many scenic landscapes, including a dense alpine forest that contrasts the savannas in other parks of Tanzania. Its beauty is in the cool quietness of the park, with the colorful Momela Lakes nestled in the shadows of the dramatic craggy peak of Meru.
Ngurdoto Crater in the reserve is home to many remarkable animals including the white and black colobus monkey, the blue monkey, and larger animals such as giraffe, elephant, zebra, hippo, hyena, buffalo, dik dik, and antelope.
Unlike other Tanzania parks, Arusha National Park offers many scenic hiking trails. Bring your camera to capture the stunning landscape.
The adventurous can climb to the peak of the inactive volcano in a 3 day trip. On summit day climbers will be rewarded with a beautiful sunrise overlooking Kilimanjaro.
The Crater and Lakes are also a birdviewer’s paradise. Spend a quiet afternoon listening to the many unique bird songs next to the water lapping the lakeshore.
Explore
Mount Meru is considered an active volcano with its last eruption in 1910. The many small craters nearby are signs that in its history Mount Meru was once a very active volcano.
Features
Walking safaris – This unique forest is home to many smaller animals, therefore walking safaris are considered safe. Park rangers are also present for guided tours. On foot you can experience Tanzania’s pristine nature and wildlife in a more intimate way.
Momela lakes – A beautiful place for relaxing and picnicking, the lakes are all of a slightly different hue, tingeing each view with something a little different. Wildlife, especially bird life, is prevalent close to the lakes.
At 25 km northeast of Arusha town in Northern Tanzania, Arusha National Park is easily accessible any day.
The best time to visit Arusha National Park is June through November. These are the drier months and the best game viewing season. Temperatures are cooler, in the mid 20s Celsius in June, and warming up to the low 30s toward the end of the year.
July through October and January to February are the best times to climb Mount Meru.
Mount Meru stands at 4566 m (14980 ft).