Arusha National Park

Overview

The gem beneath Mount Meru

Why Arusha is unmissable

Arusha National Park is the perfect first or last act of a Tanzanian journey. Giraffes glide between acacias, black-and-white colobus monkeys crash through ancient forest canopies, and flamingos speckle the Momella Lakes in their thousands. With no lions, the park offers one of East Africa's few legitimate walking safaris — armed rangers leading guests through giraffe and buffalo country — plus canoe excursions drifting past grazing waterbuck.

Just 45 minutes from Arusha city lies a miniature marvel: canopiedNgurdoto Crater, the mirror-calm Momella Lakes and the slopes of Mount Meru — Tanzania's second-highest peak. No other park combines canoe safaris, walking safaris and alpine scenery so close to a major town.

History & heritage

Once part of the German colonial estate of Ngurdoto, the park was gazetted in 1960. Mount Meru — its centrepiece at 4,566 m — is a dormant volcano whose horseshoe caldera erupted catastrophically 8,000 years ago, leaving a summit ridge that makes a superb acclimatisation climb for Kilimanjaro.

Wildlife

The cast of characters.

Who lives here

Masai giraffe

Black-and-white colobus monkey

Cape buffalo

Waterbuck

Bushbuck

Flamingo (seasonal)

Zebra

Warthog

Kirk's dik-dik

400+ bird species

Where to stay

Beds with a view.

Sleep in style

Coffee-farm lodges on the Usa River estates
Riverside lodges between Arusha and the park gate
Meru-view boutique camps
Arusha city hotels for early flights

Gallery

Postcards, kept wild.

Through our lens

Things to do

Days well spent.

Signature activities

01

Walking safari

An armed-ranger walk through giraffe and buffalo country — thrilling and safe.

02

Canoe safari on Momella

Paddle past hippos, buffalo and flamingos on a mirror-calm lake.

03

Mount Meru trek (3–4 days)

Tanzania's finest acclimatisation climb with a dramatic summit ridge.

04

Ngurdoto Crater viewpoints

Peek into the 'little Ngorongoro' — a swampy caldera full of buffalo.

05

Colobus forest walks

Track acrobatic black-and-white colobus through ancient canopy.

Travel tips

Insider knowledge.

From our guides

01The easiest park to visit — ideal for arrival or departure days.
02Book the canoe safari in advance; spaces are limited and magical.
03A Meru pre-trek acclimatises Kilimanjaro climbers beautifully.
04Colobus monkeys are best spotted in theNgurdoto forest before 10:00.
05Picnic sites here are among the most scenic in Tanzania — let us pack you lunch.

Related journeys

Ready-made adventures.

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