Arusha National Park

Nestled just a short drive from Arusha and Moshi, Arusha National Park is a small but spectacular park known for its varied ecosystems and stunning views of Mt. Meru, the crater that gives the region its name. This park is a perfect destination for day trips and makes an ideal starting or ending point for longer northern circuit safaris.

The park covers just over 200 square miles (520 sq km), yet it packs a remarkable diversity of landscapes and wildlife. Visitors can explore the slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mt. Meru, the Momela Lakes, the Ngurdoto Crater, and the lush highland forests that blanket the lower slopes. Along the way, game drives around the lakes offer a laid-back wildlife experience, while forest trails reward visitors with sightings of rare colobus monkeys swinging through the canopy.

Arusha National Park features an impressive variety of habitats, including savannah, acacia woodlands, rainforests, and alpine vegetation at higher elevations. Its wildlife includes elephants, giraffes (the world’s largest population), buffaloes, bushbucks, red forest duikers, hippos, and various monkey species. Leopards are elusive, but more than 400 bird species make the park a paradise for birdwatchers.

Thanks to its proximity to Arusha, Arusha National Park can generally be explored in a day, offering both a stand-alone adventure and a perfect addition to longer safaris in the Serengeti or Ngorongoro.