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Arusha National Park Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 1-2 days

Best Time: June - October Read More

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"Mount Meru and African Wildlife"

Arusha National Park Tourism

Arusha National Park is situated northeast of Arusha city in Tanzania, spanning around 552 square kilometres. It features Tanzania's fifth-highest mountain, Mount Meru, and is famous for its diverse wildlife, particularly the world's largest giraffe population. While it doesn't have the Big Five, the park is home to plenty of Cape buffalo, elephants, hippos, and zebras. A highlight is the thrilling three-night hiking trail leading to the summit of Mount Meru.

The park is split into three areas: Momella Lakes, Mount Meru, and the Ngurdoto Crater. The lakes draw thousands of flamingos, and visitors can enjoy game drives, guided walks, mountain biking, and canoeing on the Momela Lakes. Known for its convenience, it's a popular choice for day trips and a great addition to any Tanzanian itinerary, offering diverse landscapes and exceptional wildlife experiences.

Entry Fees to Arusha National Park:
Park Entry Fee:
Peak Season:
EAC: Adult – TSH 10,000, Child – TSH 2000
Resident: Adult – $25, Child - $7.5
Non-EAC: Adult - $50, Child - $15

Low Season:
EAC: Adult – TSH 10,000, Child – TSH 2000
Resident: Adult – $22.5, Child - $7.5
Non-EAC: Adult - $45, Child - $15

Special Activities:
Walking Safaris:
Short walks for adults (1 to 2 hours): EAC – TSH 5000, Residents - $20, Non-EAC - $20
Short walks for children: EAC – TSH 2500, Residents: $10, Non-EAC - $10
Long Walks for adults (above 4 hours): EAC – TSH 10000, Residents - $25, Non-EAC - $25
Long Walks for children: EAC – 5000, Residents - $15, Non EAC - $15

Canoeing per person:
EAC: Adult – TSH 5,000, Child – TSH 2000
Resident: Adult – $20, Child - $10
Non-EAC: Adult - $20, Child - $10

Cycling per person per day: EAC – TSH 30,000, Resident - $25, Non-EAC - $25
Crew Fee Per Person Per Day (guides, porters, campers, driver guides, and cooks): TSH 3,500

Entrance Gates to Arusha National Park:
Arusha National Park has three entrance gates:
1. Momella Gate: This gate is the main entrance to the park. It is closest to the Momella Lakes, Mount Meru, and Ngurdoto Crater areas of the park. The gate is located approximately 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) east of Arusha city.
2. Ngongongare Gate: This gate is closest to the Ngurdoto Crater and the southern parts of the park. The gate is located around 22 kilometres (13.7 miles) east of Arusha city.
3. Tengeru Gate: This gate provides access to the northern part of the park, including Mount Meru. The gate is located approximately 16 kilometres (9.9 miles) east of Arusha city.

Things to do in Arusha National Park

1. Mount Meru Trekking

Mount Meru offers an excellent trekking opportunity. The mountain is at a height of 4566 metres from ground level and is the fifth-highest mountain in Tanzania. The trek typically takes 3 to 4 days, d (Read More)epending on the chosen route and pace. Trekking up Mount Meru provides stunning views of the surrounding landscape as well as opportunities to witness the wildlife.

2. Game Drives Safaris

Game drives safaris typically last for a few hours and can be either a half-day or a full-day experience. During game drives, visitors can expect to see a wide variety of wildlife, including giraffes, (Read More) zebras, Cape buffalo, elephants, hippos, and an array of bird species.

3. Walking Safaris

Led by knowledgeable guides, walking safaris typically last for a few hours and provide a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the smaller details of the wilderness, such as tracking animal footpr (Read More)ints, observing birds, and learning about the local flora. Visitors may encounter various wildlife such as giraffes, zebras, Cape buffalos, warthogs, blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, and a diverse array of bird species.

4. Canoe Safaris at Momella Lake

The Momella Lakes is a collection of seven shallow lakes and offers a unique opportunity for canoe safaris. Exploring the lakes by canoe allows visitors to get closer to aquatic bird species, includin (Read More)g flamingos, and enjoy the tranquillity of the surroundings. It takes around 2 to 3 hours to fully explore the lakes and their surroundings, and the best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when the birdlife is most active.

5. Ngurdoto Crater

This impressive crater, also known as "Little Ngorongoro," is easily accessible by road. The crater rim offers stunning views, and visitors can enjoy a game drive to spot animals like buffalo, elephan (Read More)ts, and monkeys. A visit to the Ngurdoto Crater usually takes around 2 to 3 hours, and the best time to go is early morning when wildlife is more active.

6. Tululusia Hill

This lesser-known gem offers panoramic views of Mount Meru and the Momella Lakes. The hike up Tululusia Hill takes around 1 to 2 hours, and it's a great spot for sunrise or sunset photography.

7. Fig Tree Arch

This intriguing natural formation is an excellent stop during game drives. It takes about 15 minutes to visit and offers a unique photo opportunity.

8. Jekukumia River

This area provides a serene environment for picnics and relaxation. It's easily accessible, and visitors can spend an hour or two enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

9. Momella Waterfall

This beautiful waterfall is a short hike from the road and offers a refreshing stop for visitors. The hike takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, and the best time to visit is during the wet season when the wat (Read More)erfall is at its fullest.

10. Serengeti Ndogo

This area is a lush, swampy habitat that attracts various bird species and wildlife like waterbucks and reedbucks. It's a great spot for birdwatching and game viewing. Visitors can explore this area d (Read More)uring a game drive or a guided walking safari.

11. Meru Crater

This smaller crater offers stunning scenery and a chance to see wildlife in its dense forests. A hike to the Meru Crater takes around 2 to 3 hours and is best done with a ranger guide.

Must Know Before You Travel to Arusha National Park

  • Timings: All the park gates are open throughout the year, typically from 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM.
  • Popularity: Arusha National Park may be smaller than other popular parks, but its accessibility and varied landscapes make it a favorite among visitors.
  • Mount Meru Trek: When planning to trek Mount Meru, hiring a ranger is compulsory, and it's best to arrange the trip through a tour group for a safe and guided experience.
  • ATM and Cash: There are no ATMs within the park and the closest ATM can be found in Arusha city.
  • Exploring the Park: The park can be fully explored within a day, making it convenient to combine with other major national parks near Arusha such as Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
  • Key Topographical Features: The park boasts three main topographical features: Mount Meru, the second-highest peak in Tanzania, Momella Lake, and Ngurdoto Crater.
  • Guided Walking Safaris: For safety reasons, visitors interested in a walking safari must be accompanied by an armed park ranger.
  • Advance Booking: It's strongly recommended to make reservations at least 6 months in advance to secure lodging inside the park.
  • Pet Policy: Pets are not allowed in the park.

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Wildlife in Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park boasts diverse wildlife and birdlife, with a high population of giraffes. While the Big Five are not fully represented, sightings of buffalo are common, while lions and rhinos are absent. The park is teeming with various common animals, including zebras, warthogs, black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, elephants, and more. Among the unique animals are the red duiker and Kirk's dik-dik.

The avian inhabitants are equally captivating, featuring lesser and greater flamingos, Hadeda ibis, Egyptian geese, African fish eagle, African olive pigeon, Augur buzzard, Bar-tailed trogon, Bearded vulture, Black saw-wing, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Great crested grebe, Hartlaub's turaco, Little grebe, Narina trogon, Peregrine falcon, Red-fronted parrot, Scaly francolin, Silvery-cheeked hornbill, Southern pochard, Tawny eagle, and Verreaux’s eagle.

Suggested Itinerary for Arusha National Park

Here's a one-day itinerary for Arusha National Park:

Morning:
  • Early Departure: Start the day with an early departure from Arusha City to maximize your time in the park.
  • Approx. 7:00 AM: Arrive at the park's main entrance.
  • Game Drive at Momella Lakes: Embark on a scenic game drive around Momella Lakes, famous for its diverse birdlife and wildlife.
  • Approx. 9:00 AM: Reach the Tululusia Hill trailhead and begin a short hike to the summit for breathtaking views of Mount Meru and the surrounding landscape.
Lunchtime:
  • Picnic Lunch: Enjoy a packed picnic lunch amidst the tranquil settings of Arusha National Park.
Afternoon:
  • Optional Canoe Safari: If available and weather permitting, consider a canoe safari on one of the Momella Lakes to get up close to waterfowl and hippos.
  • Visit the Ngurdoto Crater: Drive along the crater rim and admire the stunning scenery of "Little Ngorongoro" with its lush vegetation.
  • Approx. 4:00 PM: Begin your return journey to Arusha city, reflecting on the memorable experiences of the day.

Best Time to Visit Arusha National Park

How to Reach Arusha National Park

How to Reach Overview

Arusha National Park is easily accessible from Kilimanjaro International Airport, about 50 kilometres away, by taxi or private transfer. This can take an additional hour to reach the park. The park can also be reached by road from Arusha city, approximately 40 kilometres away, with options of a taxi, private car hire, or guided tour. Regular buses are available to the park from Arusha and Ngare Nanyuki Village, with a travel time of around half an hour to one hour.

How to reach Arusha National Park by flight

he nearest major airport to Arusha National Park is Kilimanjaro International Airport, located about 50 kilometres (31 miles) east of Arusha city. From the airport, you can take a taxi or arrange for a private transfer to reach the park. The travel time by road from the airport to Arusha National Park is approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, and the cost of a taxi or transfer may range from $50 to $100, again depending on the arrangements and operator.

Alternatively, you can also book your flights directly to Arusha Airport which is around 56 kilometres from the park. It is a domestic airport with only a few daily flights. It would take around an hour to reach the park.

You can book your flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha Airport through Skyscanner.

Coastal Aviation, Safari Air Link and Precision Air have regular domestic flights to Arusha Airport as well as Kilimanjaro International Airport.

How to reach Arusha National Park by road

 Arusha National Park is easily accessible by road from Arusha city. The park's main entrance is about 40 kilometres northeast of Arusha. You can take a taxi, hire a private car, or join a guided tour to get to the park. The journey typically takes around 1 hour, and the cost of a taxi or private car hire might be around $30 to $60, while guided tours can vary in price.

How to reach Arusha National Park by bus

There are regular buses to the Ngongongare gate of Arusha National Park from Arusha and Ngare Nanyuki Village. The journey can take around half an hour to one hour.

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