Tanzania is one of the best tourist destinations in Africa. It has 16 national parks, each offering a great wildlife experience. The coastal towns and marine parks also have something special to offer. Tanzania is also home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.
Arusha National Park is one of the parks you should include on your list when visiting Tanzania. Although it is small, covering 552 square kilometers, it offers great views and is home to many animals.
The park is home to Mount Meru, the second highest mountain in Tanzania after Kilimanjaro. Mount Meru stands at 4,566 meters above sea level. The park also has several features such as the shallow Momella Lakes in the northeast, Meru Crater in the west, and Ngurdoto Crater in the southeast. The park’s plants include acacia scrubland, rain forests, grasslands, and swampy areas.
Arusha National Park has seven shallow lakes: Lake El Lekandiro, Lake Tulusia, Lake Kusare, Small Momella Lake, Big Momella Lake, and Lake Rishateni. This park is a perfect place for a day trip if you are staying in Arusha or Moshi towns.
You can explore the park in one day unless you plan to climb Mount Meru. The Momella Lakes are fed by underground springs and have algae that attract many flamingos. The park is also home to Lake Rishateni, which has a very high level of fluoride, possibly the highest ever recorded in the world.
History
The first European to visit Arusha National Park was Count Teleki in 1876. He visited the Momella area and noted many rhinos and hippos. Sadly, there are no rhinos in the park today.
The Trappe family, including the first professional woman hunter in East Africa, moved to the area in 1907. They used the land mostly for farming and cattle ranching. The woman set aside part of the land as an animal sanctuary. When the area became a national park in 1960, the farm was included in it.
Arusha National Park was first called Ngurdoto Crater National Park and covered a small area. In 1967, the park was enlarged to include Mount Meru, and the name was changed to “Arusha,” named after the local Waarusha people who lived nearby.
Entry Fee
The entry fee for Arusha National Park for foreign non-resident adults is $53 per person per day. Foreign non-resident children pay $17 per day. Entry fees may change from time to time, so it is good to check the latest prices before visiting.
Animals
The park has many animals. You can see a large number of giraffes and also African cape buffalo, zebras, warthogs, elephants, bushbucks, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, leopards, spotted hyenas, waterbucks, baboons, hippos, wildebeests, and others. The best times to see animals are early morning and late afternoon.
Mountain Climbing
Mount Meru is the second highest mountain in Tanzania and a popular climb. It is a good mountain for those who want to practice before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
From the top of Mount Meru, you get clear views of Kilimanjaro. The climb usually takes 4 to 5 days. You can also take shorter day hikes or guided nature walks on the mountain slopes.
Canoeing
Arusha National Park has seven shallow Momella Lakes. Each lake has a different color, ranging from green to blue. You can take a boat ride on the lakes and see different water birds.
Birding
The park has over 400 bird species. Some of the birds you can see include the silvery-cheeked hornbill, giant kingfisher, Hartlaub’s turaco, yellow-billed stork, Maccoa duck, flamingos, red-shank, little grebe, pochard geese, secretary bird, spur-winged goose, hadada ibis, Augur bustard, barred trogon, great crested grebe, white-necked raven, red-billed teal, cape teal, black-winged stilt, white-browed coucal, grey-headed bush shrike, African paradise flycatcher, black-headed heron, saddle-billed stork, pied avocet, bronzy sunbird, African spoonbill, red-billed oxpecker, cattle egret, Levaillant’s cuckoo, golden eagle, African olive pigeon, southern carmine bee-eater, and many more.
Nature Guided Walks
Visitors can take guided walks around the Momella Lakes or on the slopes of Mount Meru. Walking gives you a chance to see plants, birds, and animals up close.
Location
Arusha National Park is northeast of Arusha town in northern Tanzania. It is about 40 minutes from Arusha town and 60 kilometers from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Best Time to Visit
You can visit Arusha National Park any time of the year. The best time to see wildlife is from late June to early September when it is dry and animals gather near water.
This is also the best time to climb Mount Meru. For birdwatchers, the best time is from November to April when migratory birds come from North Africa and Europe.
Accommodation
There are many places to stay in and near Arusha National Park, from budget to luxury options. Some places in or near the park include Arusha Backpackers, Graceland Hotel, Charity Hotel International, Asmasi Hotels, Hatari Lodge, and Momella Wildlife Lodge.
