Ultimate guide to visiting Arusha National Park in 2025

Ultimate guide to visiting Arusha National Park in 2025 : Arusha National Park is situated about 25 kilometers east of Arusha, 35 kilometers from Kilimanjaro International Airport and 58 kilometers from Moshi in northern Tanzania. This park is well-known for being home to Mount Meru, the second tallest mountain in Tanzania, as well as the largest population of giraffe in the world. It was first established as Ngurdoto crater National Park in 1960 and was renamed Arusha National Park in 1967, taking its name from the local Warusha people who once inhabited the region. The park provides various amenities for tourists, including picnic sites, camping sites, and lodges, which allows visitors to feel more at ease when visiting the park. Additionally, Arusha National Park is about 148 kilometers away from Tarangire National Park, which can be reached in roughly 1.5 hours by car.

Vegetation in Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is home to a variety of plants and landscapes. In the lower areas, you’ll find savannah vegetation made up of wide-open grasslands mixed with acacia woodlands. This part of the park is a habitat for many herbivores and features shrubs like whistling thorns. as you move up the slopes of mount Meru, the landscape changes to montane forest, dominated by species like podocarpus, olive trees, fig trees, and juniper.  This forest is rich and most, providing a home for plants that grow on other plants, like orchids and mosses.

The Lower montane forests are mix of evergreen and deciduous trees. Close to Ngurdoto crater, you can see tropical vegetation characterized by marshes, swamps, and grassy areas surrounded by forested slopes. The Momella lakes are surrounded by wetlands and swampy vegetation, with tall grasses and aquatic plants like papyrus lining the edges.

As you ascend to the higher slopes of Mount Meru, the plants change again to alpine vegetation featuring hardy shrubs, heathers, and grasses. In this alpine zone, you can find unique species like giant lobelias and giant groundsels.

Wildlife in Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park has a diverse range of wildlife, although it is somewhat limited compared to other parks. It is particularly known for having the largest population of giraffes in the world. The park is also home to waterbucks, bush bucks, duikers, dik- dik, spotted hyenas, leopards, elephant, Cape buffalo, Warthog, bush pigs, and lions. Additionally, both Black and white colobus and blue monkeys can be found living in the park.

Birdwatchers will be delighted, as the park is home to 400 bird species, including some that are unique to the region, as well as forest and migratory species. Notable birds includes Hartaub’s turaco, Egyptian goose, Red –fronted parrot, Tawny eagle, Narina trogon, Bearded vulture, scaly francolin, Flamingos, Cinnamon chested bee-eater, Great crested grebe, African fish eagle, Peregrine falcon, silvery cheeked hornbill, yellow billed storks, white browed coucals, red billed oxpeckers, Verreaux’s eagle, Black saw-wing, African olive pigeon, Bar-tailed trogon, and bronzy sunbirds among others.

Tourist activities to do while on a Tanzania safari in Arusha National Park

Game viewing

one of the most popular activities in Arusha National Park is the game drives. During game drive, you’ll trail along doff rent paths in various areas of the park, looking for animals. You might come across creatures such as bushbuck, giraffe, elephant, duiker, buffalo, waterbuck, Warthog, bush pigs and hippo. Occasionally, you might spot predators such as hyenas, leopards and lions, although they are not seen very often. If you’re lucky, you could see primates like Black and white colobus and blue monkeys near the Ngurdoto museum. The routes to Momella lakes and Ngurdoto Crater offer opportunities to see hippos in water and other animals gathering along the shores.

Canoeing

Canoeing is also another popular activity done in Arusha National Park. The activity is done on the Momella lakes as the visitor’s drift along the shallow waters. Momella lakes offer views of wildlife like buffaloes and bucks in the open landscape. while on a canoeing trip, you’ll also have the chance to spot Hippos and various water birds. These canoe trips usually take about 2 to 3 hours. Visitors can also choose to go on a more traditional safari if they prefer.

walking safari

Arusha National Park is a great place for walking safaris in Tanzania, and a place where one can enjoy natural forests in comfort because of the cool climate. Hiking has to be arranged at one of the two gates. A fee is payable on line and any walk has to be accompanied by an armed Ranger. The walk goes through various forests and savannah while observing different wildlife species like colobus monkeys and a huge population of giraffes. There is also a great opportunity to spot birdlife. On the slopes of Mount Meru is surrounded by waterfalls, lakes and green forests. One of the highlights on a walking safari is walking up to the top of Tululusia Hill, a lookout point during Tanzania’s tribal wars. From the top, you can enjoy stunning views of the lower areas of Arusha National Park.

Cycling Tour

Cycling in the park is a fun and thrilling way to experience, often overlooked by safari goers. This opportunity offers to explore attractive diversity of habitats within a few hours while exploring beautiful areas giving you the ultimate wilderness experience.

Climbing Mount Meru

Mount Meru, standing at 4,566 meters, is the second tallest mountain in Tanzania and is a prominent feature of Arusha National Park’s skyline. This mountain is an active yet dormant volcano and is known for its steep cliffs and lush greenery at the base. From its summit, climbers can enjoy breathtaking views of the park’s plains, the Momella Lakes, and even Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbing Mount Meru presents a bit of a challenge, as it requires some technical climbing skills. The ascent typically takes 3 to 4 days, and because it’s not a very popular climbing destination, those who do take on the challenge can enjoy a more solitary experience.

 Birding tours

Arusha National Park is famous for being a great spot for birdwatching, with more than 400 different bird species. While you’re birding  your, you might get to see some of the vibrant and colorful species that call this park home, including Flamingos, Cinnamon chested bee-eater, Great crested grebe, African fish eagle, Peregrine falcon, Verreaux’s eagle, Black saw-wing, African olive pigeon, Hartaub’s turaco, Egyptian goose, Red –fronted parrot, Tawny eagle, Narina trogon, Bearded vulture, scaly francolin, Bar-tailed trogon, silvery cheeked hornbill, yellow billed storks, white browed coucals, red billed oxpeckers and bronzy sunbirds.

Best time to visit park

you can visit the park any time of the year, depending on what you want to see. Arusha National Park is known as a great place for bird watching. The ideal time to go for a birdwatching safari here is from November to December and then from March through May, as that’s when migratory birds arrive from various parts of Africa and Europe. If you’re interested in seeing animals, the dry season between the months of June and October. Also, during the months of January and February is the best period to hike Mt. Meru.

Best accommodation facilities inside and outside the park

If you’re planning a Tanzania safari in Arusha National Park, you don’t need to stress about where to stay. The park offers a wide range of accommodations that cater to every traveler’s budget. You can find options from budget-friendly spots to mid-range and luxury places, including Arusha Coffee Lodge, Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, The African Tulip Hotel , Lake Duluti Serena Hotel , Hatari Lodge, Mvuli Hotel Arusha, L’Oasis Lodge and Restaurant Arusha, Ilboru Safari Lodge, Moyoni Lodge, Zawadi House, Palace Hotel Arusha,  Lush Garden Hotel , Shu’mate Camp, Maasi Giraffe Eco Lodge, Kiota Nest, Itikoni Seasonal Cam, Momella Wildlife Lodge, Rivertrees Country Inn, African View Lodge -Arusha, Twiga Lodge, Kilimanjaro Eco Lodge -Arusha, Charming Eco-Homestay, Meru View Lodge, Mzunguu Safari Lodge and Moivaro Coffee Plantation among others.

How to access the park

You can reach the park either by driving or flying, depending on what you prefer. If you choose to drive, it takes about 45 minutes from Arusha town to the national park. On the other hand, if you decide to fly, you can take a domestic flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha Airport, and that trip only takes around 20 minutes.