Arusha National Park

Highlights and wildlife

Mount Meru dominates the park. At over 4,500 metres, it is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania. Around the volcano, dense montane rainforest alternates with open grassland, and the landscape also includes the Ngurdoto Crater with its steep walls and the Momella Lakes. This diversity across 552 km² creates habitat for many animals. Giraffes, buffalo and zebras graze on the open ground, and you will also frequently see warthogs and antelopes. The montane forest is home to the colobus monkeys, which are easy to observe thanks to their striking coats. Blue monkeys also occur in large numbers.

Over 400 bird species are recorded in the park. At the Momella Lakes you will see flamingos and numerous water birds, along with birds of prey and many forest bird species. Predators also live in the park. Leopards and hyenas occur here, but because of the dense vegetation they are only rarely seen.

Best time to visit

The best months for your visit are June to October. In this dry season the tracks are easily passable and the views are clear. During the rainy seasons the vegetation becomes particularly green and lush, which makes the park especially scenic. Due to the altitude, temperatures are pleasant all year round, cooler than in the region’s savannah parks. Wildlife can be seen at any time of year. You can find an overview of all months in the tips on the best time to visit Tanzania.

Fees and rules

The park fee is 50 USD per person per day in the period from 16 May to 14 March, and 45 USD from 15 March to 15 May. Children aged 5 to 15 pay 15 USD; children under 5 are free. 18% VAT is added to the fees. This allows you to plan the cost of your visit in advance. You can find an overview of the other expenses of a safari on the Tanzania safari costs page.

Getting there and combinations

The park lies around 40 kilometres north-east of Arusha, and the drive takes roughly half an hour. This makes it well suited as the start or end of your route through the north. From Arusha, your journey continues to Tarangire National Park with its elephant herds and to Lake Manyara National Park on the slopes of the Rift Valley. Afterwards you can head for the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. The team in Arusha plans the order of your stages to match your travel season.