Arusha National Park, Tanzania
Ideal for a day trip Arusha National Park is one of the most stunning and topographically varied parks in Tanzania. The main features in Arusha National Park include Mount Meru (Tanzania’s second-highest peak at 4566m) in the west, colored Momela Lakes in the northeast, and the 3km wide Ngurdoto Crater in the south-east. Animals that can be found in the park, amongst others, are the black & white Colobus monkeys, hippos, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, dik-diks, waterbucks, and bushbucks.
Almost 400 species of birds have been recorded in the park. Especially the Momela lakes are a great place for bird watching, which host a large concentration of waterbirds, including flamingos. There is also a variety of raptors, which hide in the forested areas of Mount Meru.
Activities in Arusha National Park
Activities in Arusha National Park include walking tours, Canoe safaris, trekking, and bird and animal watching. On clear days you get great views of Mount Meru, which is Africa’s fifth highest mountain and is within the boundary of the park.
The best time to visit Arusha National Park is from June to October and January to March during the dry seasons. This is when animals cluster around waterholes, rivers, and lakes, making them easier to find.
From November to December and March through May, the rains transform the landscape as lush, green grasses emerge, and this is also the time when migratory birds arrive in the park.