Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is one of the most beautiful and varied protected areas in Tanzania. The park is the most accessible national park in Tanzania. Being a small park with a lot to see, it is the perfect place for a day trip.

Interesting Facts about Arusha National Park

• The park lies on only 552 square kilometers. 
• The park is dominated by Mount Meru. It is situated at an elevation of 4566m and is the fourth highest mountain in Africa.
• Mount Meru offers a 300-kilometer axis view of Africa's most famous national parks.
• It lies in a strategic location. Mount Meru is placed on the park, Ngurdoto crater surrounds the park from the south and grassland from the west. 
• The park is also surrounded with the shallow momela lakes in the northeast, making it a feeding ground for the unique wading birds. 

Location 

The park is situated 1 to 1.5 hour drive from Arusha town. It is approximately ninety minutes from Moshi.

Climate

The weather is pleasant all year round in Arusha. Similar to other areas in Tanzania, the park experiences wet and dry seasons. The dry season takes place from June to October with an average temperature of 50 F (10 C). 

The first wet season is from mid-March to May which is the period of long rains while the second wet season is from November to December, the period of short rains.  

The humidity level in the park is lower than other areas in Tanzania. The average humidity level is lowest during the month of May through September. 

It is recommended to wear long pants and a warm fleece during early morning drives as you may be chilly. 

Best Time to Visit

Generally speaking, the best time to visit Arusha National Park is during the dry season, from June to October. It is when the animals are easy to observe as they roam near the fresh water sources. 

Why to visit Arusha National Park

The safari or general experience that you get out of the park is a true sense of awe and bewilderment, although the park does not provide a standard or traditional gaming park experience it does impress you with the sheer variance and amount and variance of animals the park can hold. 

Home to many animals ranging from giraffes, cape buffalos, zebras, colobus monkeys  Ashura national park is a landmark that you won't regret visiting.

Things to Do in Arusha National Park

1- Mount Meru 

Mount Meru is an active volcano and a well known climbing destination. Being the fourth highest mountain in Africa, it is a good introduction for those who wish to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. 

Not only does the mount offer a magnificent view of Kilimanjaro, but also the hiking experience is rewarding. It is a chance to walk through various habitats such as giraffes, elephants, antelopes and more. 

2- Momella Lakes

Momella Lakes are a series of seven lakes within Arusha National Park: Big Momella, Small Momella, Kusare, Lekandiro, Tulusia, Rishateni, and El Kekhotoito. Each of the lakes is a different shade of green or blue. 

It is possible to witness a variety of birds such as flamingos and animals like water bucks, giraffes, dik-diks and zebras in the surrounding areas. 

3- Ngurdoto Crater

Ngurdoto Crater is inhabited by plenty of animals and it is a well known stop for game drives. IIt offers visitors a chance to see elephants, the Cape buffalo, baboons, monkeys, warthogs, and also a number of antelope species. 

The carter is surrounded by the  Ngurdoto Forest which is home to black and white colobus monkeys. There is also Serengeti Ndogu, grasslands where zebras can be spotted all year round.