Plan Your Journey
Tailor-Made
Begin a Northern Safari
Start with Arusha National Park, then continue to Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti on a journey planned around your dates.
Tanzania Destinations
Arusha National Park
Mount Meru, forest and the Momella Lakes, on the doorstep of Arusha.
Mountain, Forest & Lakes
A Small Park of Many Landscapes.
Arusha National Park lies on the slopes of Mount Meru, a short drive from the town of Arusha and the start of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. For its size, it holds an unusual range of landscapes: montane forest, open grassland, the forested bowl of Ngurdoto Crater and the shallow, alkaline Momella Lakes.
Giraffes, buffalo and zebra graze the open glades, while black-and-white colobus monkeys move through the forest canopy. On clear mornings, Kilimanjaro can be seen rising to the east.
It is not a substitute for the Serengeti, and it is not meant to be: it is a place for a shorter nature experience, a walk on foot, or a gentle first day before a longer northern journey.
What Makes It Distinctive
Close to Town, Full of Variety.
Much of the park’s character comes from how quickly its scenery changes, from forest to crater rim to lake shore within a single day.
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Mount Meru
Tanzania’s second-highest mountain dominates the park, its slopes rising through forest towards a dramatic broken crater.
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Momella Lakes
A chain of shallow alkaline lakes that can attract flamingos and other waterbirds, depending on season and water levels.
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Ngurdoto Crater
A forest-lined crater viewed from its rim, where the protected floor below is left to the wildlife.
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On Foot
Guided walks with a park ranger are possible in parts of the park, and canoeing on one of the Momella Lakes can sometimes be arranged.
Optional Day Experience
- Arusha National Park Day Experience From US$250 per person
The activities on the day, such as a game drive, a guided walk or canoeing where available, are confirmed in your proposal. Park-entry fees are not shown as Asili prices. Activity prices are indicative starting rates and may vary with group size, pickup location, private/shared arrangements and supplier availability.
Add This Experience
When to Visit
A Park for Most of the Year.
The drier months, roughly June to October and again around January and February, usually bring easier walking and clearer mountain views. The rains turn the forest and grassland a deep green and can bring more cloud over Meru and Kilimanjaro.
Conditions vary from year to year, so we help you choose timing that suits the rest of your journey.
Planning Your Visit
Arusha National Park in Practice.
How Long to Stay
A full day or a single night is enough for a game drive, a walk and time at the lakes and Ngurdoto Crater.
Getting There
The park is a short drive from Arusha, which makes it easy to include at the start or end of a northern itinerary.
Pairs Well With
Continue to Tarangire and Ngorongoro, or combine it with a climb of Kilimanjaro.
4-Day Mount Meru Trek
Tanzania’s second-highest mountain is a demanding high-altitude trek in its own right, climbed through the park’s forest and moorland to the crater rim. It can also make good preparation before Kilimanjaro.
From US$1,650 per climber
Based on two climbers travelling together. Final arrangements and inclusions are confirmed in your proposal.
Plan a Mount Meru Trek
Explore More of Tanzania
Pair Arusha National Park With
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Northern Circuit
Tarangire
Ancient baobabs, the Tarangire River and some of the north’s finest elephant country.
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Northern Circuit
Ngorongoro
A vast volcanic crater and cool highlands, with wildlife viewing throughout the year.
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Mountain
Kilimanjaro
Six routes to the summit of Africa’s highest mountain, through rainforest, moorland and alpine desert.
Ready to Explore Tanzania?
Your Tanzania Story Starts Here.
From safari plains to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, let us help shape a journey made for you.