Arusha National Park

The presence of alpine conditions in the lofty sides of the majestic Mt Meru only enhances the picturesque backdrop of this truly amazing national park.
The presence of alpine conditions in the lofty sides of the majestic Mt Meru only enhances the picturesque backdrop of this truly amazing national park.
Arusha national park is among the best parks in the north of Tanzania. The park is located a few kilometers northeast of Arusha. The main gate is just 25 km east of the city. Also, it is 58 km from Moshi and 35 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA). The park is small, covers the total area of 137 km2 (53 sq. mi) with a few dangerous predators. Arusha National Park includes Mount Meru which is the second-highest mountain Tanzania stands at (4556m). The park is scattered with an abundance of unique wildlife species such as the African elephant, Cape buffalo, hippo, zebra, giraffe, and even the wildebeest. Also, the park is home to the amazing birdlife and is home to the famous migratory lesser flamingo.
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HISTORY OF THE ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK.

History of this park goes back to the year of 1876 when Count Teleki, a Hungarian, visited the Lake Momella area. Back then the area has a vast number of hippopotamus and black rhinos. Unfortunate, those animals are now extinct in the area.

The area was used as a hunting ground until 1960, then Ngurdoto Crater National Park was established, and in 1967 mount Meru area also became part of the park. The name of the park was then changed to Arusha National Park. The name Arusha was derived from the region (Arusha city) park found.

ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK HILIGHTS

WHY VISIT ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK.

Outstanding Wildlife Diversity.

Due to the different habitats that exist in Arusha national park it enhances its remarkably high level of diversity when it comes to wildlife species.

The park is famous for hosting a large number of Africa’s giraffe population. And also, visitors should expect to come across with waterbucks, cape buffalo, elephants, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, turacos, trogons, Flamingos, and even the very rare predators such as leopard in the right conditions.

The park also claims an incredibly diverse variety of birdlife, making it a popular stop for bird lovers.

Presence of Mount Meru in the area.

Presence of Mount Meru in the area makes it the best spot for the adventure lovers. Mount Meru is the second highest mountain in the country after the great Kilimanjaro and the fourth highest mountain in Africa.A

An active strata volcano, Meru has not exploded since 1910 and today stands silent watch over the safari capital of Tanzania, Arusha city.

Mt. Meru is a popular climbing destination for those who cannot take the 5-7 days needed to climb the highest Kilimanjaro and offers spectacular views of Arusha National Park, Arusha proper, and Kilimanjaro itself.

Ngurdoto Crater.

This is another beautiful crater found inside the Arusha National Park. It stretches 3 km’s in the area. It is a steep-sided bowl, surrounded by riverine forest, while the crater floor is a lavish swamp home to the thousands of lesser flamingos.

The crater with its many visible animal paths, provides a natural sanctuary to many African animals, including African buffalo, elephants, a variety of monkeys and baboons, as well as birds like hamerkop, spur-winged geese and herons.

Fig Tree Arch.

It is a distinctive natural arch formed by a fig tree, this fascinating feature of the landscape has grown into an arch large enough for a car or an elephant to pass under it.

WHAT TO DO IN ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK.

trekking Meru Mountain.

Mt Meru stands at 4566m, it is Tanzania’s second-highest mountain and fourth in Africa. With a Mount Kilimanjaro view while on top makes it among a spectacular volcanic cone in East Africa. Meru rewards climbers with dramatic hike and adventure.

Horse ride across Arusha national park.

Arusha National park offers different forms of activities to make your African safari experience more memorable. The area surrounded by amazing landscapes such as mountains, plains, forestry, waterfalls, and craters give you a chance to explore and experience wildlife viewing from a different point, horseback.

Canoeing on Momella lakes.

In Arusha national park, you can enjoy the extraordinary experience of waterside game viewing. From the safe shallow waters of this beautiful soda lake, guests paddle silently along the shoreline in two-man canoes. Doing different activities in the African bushes is something else not to miss.

Bird watching.

The Arusha National Park and mostly Momella Lakes offer stunning bird-watching chances. The national park is populated by over 400 different migrant and resident bird species.

The most famous bird species in the Arusha National Park are waterfowls such as little grebes, eagles, pochards, geese, hamerkop, red shark, spur-winged goose, woodpecker, herons, secretary bird, Flamingos, and grey parrot.

Walking safaris.

It is true that the best way to experience the African wilderness is on foot. The park has some of the most remarkable scenery you can feast your eyes on.

The walk will take you across Mount Meru base then to Momella Lakes present in the park. These are soda-lakes, shallow, and alkaline. The lakes are covered by algae with colors that are lovely to look at.

North of the lake, you’ll see the sometimes blue, sometimes green hills that are around the lake. The Ngurdoto Crater is at a depth of 100 meters, its floor is swampy and is surrounded by forests.

Game drive.

Arusha national park offers viewing animals from the moving vehicles. When choosing to book a drive-in safari a driver/guide will take you to Arusha national park in a 4×4 safari vehicle (and other places to visit depending on your itinerary) along the way.

In general, the driver/guide will also be your guide in Arusha national park and take you on the game drives through the park experience at their lodge

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK?

Visiting Arusha National Park can be done throughout the year, but it is the best from late June to October, which is the Dry season.

However, trips to the area can be customized according to the visitor’s interests. For example, June to October might be an ideal time for the big game viewing as most of the bushes are thinner and grasses are shorter and this gives a good game viewing. But April is the peak time for aquatic and migratory bird viewing as this is the wet season.

HOW TO GET TO ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK.

Arusha national park is among the famous parks in the northern circuit of Tanzania, there are two means of getting to Arusha national park. The first one is by road; the park is located just 45 minutes’ drive from the main starting point of any safari in northern Tanzania.

There are a number of ways to arrive in Arusha town. The most recommended option to reach Arusha town is to fly into the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) which is located approximately 46 kilometers or 29 miles from Arusha.

Also, another quick way of getting to Arusha national park is flight. Presence of the airstrips in the park facilitating the landing and taking off for the visitors.

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