Dominated by the peak of Mount Meru, Arusha is one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania. It offers an impressive introduction to visitors embarking along the Northern Circuit and can easily be visited as a one-day safari tour from the Tanzania safari capital, Arusha. Encompassing lush highland forests, shallow alkaline lakes and extensive grasslands, it supports a staggering diversity of wildlife.

Get up close to towering giraffes, herds of Cape buffalo and grazing zebras, as well as black-and-white colobus monkeys and blue monkeys that can be seen playing in the forests. Arusha National Park’s almost 450 bird species include long-legged flamingos that can often be seen wading in the lake waters, as well as rare species such as Narina trogon and bar-tailed trogon.

Highlights of the park include the “mini-Ngorongoro” known as Ngurdoto Crater, which spans 3.5 kilometres in diameter, and the Momella Lakes that are framed by green hills. Within the borders of Arusha National park is the soaring summit of Mount Meru (4,562 metres), which is a hiking destination in its own right and boasts majestic views of neighbouring Mount Kilimanjaro.

If you want to add Arusha to your Northern Circuit Tanzania safari package, let our experienced team craft a customised itinerary for you.