Northern Parks
Arusha
This beautiful park is often described as a hidden gem and rightly so. It's only 1/2 an hour by tarmac road from Arusha town. With mountains, lakes and small plains clothed in green, it has a wonderful feeling of peace and solitude. It is dominated by Mount Meru, which at 4,566m (14,980ft) is Africa's 3rd highest freestanding mountain.
Getting Around
A well maintained and signposted network of game viewing roads and tracks wind through the park offering frequet views of spectacular beauty with both Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro often in sight.
Tourist Attractions
The geomorphology of the area showcases the geological processes that have led to the creation of remarkable features including the landscape, ecology, culture and unique habitat for wildlife. These features convey the history of the earth and provide scenic areas for visitors to enjoy.
Wildlife : It is a habitat for a wide variety of mammals including bushbuck, giraffe, elephant, leopard (rarely seen), monkeys, duikers, baboon, buffalo, waterbuck and hippo. The birdlife is spectacular with over 450 species recorded. The game viewing track that winds around the Momella Lakes is a great way to get close to lesser and greater flamingoes. Arusha National Park is probably the best place to watch black and white colobus monkeys and to listen to the loud and guttural territorial calls echoing through the forests.
Mount Meru : This is a dormant volcano around 1.5 million years old. One side exploded about 8,000 years ago as Meru's caldea lake was transformed into a super-heated stream by the inner eruption. One of the largest landslides of mud and rock ever measured worldwide, took place forming hillocks, valleys and small lakes. Geologists estimate that before Mount Meru blew its top, it was a tall, symmetrical spire almost as high as Mount Kilimanjaro. The interesting and broken terrain is now clad in patches of forest and bush at the lower end and pristine rainforest on the upper slopes.
Ngurdutu Crater : At the bottom end of the park is another small, but complete, volcanic crater called Ngurdutu. This has recently opened to guided hikes. It is a secret paradise, with a lake on one side and elsewhere it is clothed in virgin forest and a network of open grassy plains. A track follows the rim with look-out points established where you can relax with a picnic and look down into the secret world of swamps and plains, spotting buffalo, warthog and the occasional elephant enjoying its tranquility.
Tourist Activities
Game drives are possible all year round on a well maintained network of roads and tracks.
Walking : The park is a great place for walking and a place where you can enjoy natural forests in comfort - due to the cool climate. Hiking has to be arranged at one of the two gates. A fee is payable (online) and walks must be accompanied by an armed Ranger.
Mountain hiking : There is a 4-day adventure hike making use of mountain huts. This must be pre-arranged using a local tour operator, with porters and an armed Ranger. The hike traverses several vegetation zones including beautiful montane forests. Expect to see wildlife en rout including buffalo, giraffe, monkeys, baboons, antelope and numerous bird species.
Canoeing : On the small Momella Lake, canoeing can be done by prior arrangement. Expect to see buffalo, giraffe, monkeys, baboons, various antelope and of course plenty of waders and water birds.
Horseriding : Treks on horseback can be combined with overnight stays at camps within the park (minus the horses). Riding through the cool forests and glades is a beautiful way to enjoy the sights, sounds and scents of these wild places without the noise of vehicles. Wild animals quickly habituate to being close to horses. These treks are led by experienced guides who are carfeul about guest safaety. This activity needs prior arrangement and every guest will be expected to show an ability to ride.
Getting There
Arusha town is only 1/2 an hour away, via a tarmac road.
Safari Ideas
Being so close to both Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha National Park can feature at the start of a safari using one of the nearby delightful lodges or camps. However it is also a wonderful way to end a safari because of its green tranquility and cool climate - a perfect antidote to the often hot and dusty main safari circuit.