Arusha National Park encompasses Africa’s fifth highest mountain at 4,566 meters, Mount Meru, and is the closest national park to Arusha, a mere 40 minutes drive, and can be visited in a day and offers visitors the opportunity to discover a wide diversity of habitats and wildlife. We recommend a visit to Arusha National Park at the beginning of a safari for anyone incorporating an extra day in Arusha after a long flight to Tanzania. A beautiful hike through lush montane forest (1-4 hours) is possible for those wishing to stretch their legs which should be booked in advance.
The montane forests of Arusha National Park are inhabited by boisterous Sykes blue monkeys, large troops of baboons and the lucky visitor may get a glimpse of the beautiful black and white Colobus monkeys. In a few hours game drive, visitors will encounter a myriad of wildlife from a family of giraffe quietly browsing along the grassy hills, to zebras and waterbucks grazing on the plains of the little Serengeti to large herds of wallowing buffaloes. The blue green Momela Lakes often attract thousands of flamingos giving the lakeshore a beautiful pinkish hue. The views into Ngurdoto Crater are scenic and buffaloes and warthogs can often be seen grazing on the crater floor.
Things to do: Game drive, canoeing, walking safaris, trek up Mt. Meru