Northern Circuit, Tanzania
Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park holds Mount Meru, the Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater, 25 km from Arusha city. Walking safaris, canoeing and black-and-white colobus.
- Region
- Arusha region, north east of Arusha city
- Nearest airport
- JRO, the international airport serving Arusha,, 35 kilometres
- Suggested stay
- Half a day to one day, or three to four days to climb Mount Meru
Arusha National Park sits just north east of Arusha city, with its main gate 25 kilometres out and JRO, the international airport serving Arusha, 35 kilometres away. That makes it the easiest park in Tanzania to reach on a short visit.
It contains three distinct areas: Mount Meru, at 4,566 metres the second highest peak in Tanzania, the Momella Lakes in the north east, and the grassland floor of Ngurdoto Crater in the south east.
Because there are no lion resident in the park, activities that are not permitted elsewhere are possible here. Walking safaris and canoeing on the Momella Lakes are the main reasons visitors come.
Why visit Arusha National Park
Proximity. It is close enough to Arusha and the airport to fill a first or last day without disrupting an itinerary.
Activity range. Walking safaris and canoeing are available here because there are no resident lion, which is unusual for a Tanzanian park.
Black-and-white colobus monkeys are common and easily seen, which is not the case on most of the northern circuit.
Wildlife you see here
Giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog, bushbuck and elephant are present. Black-and-white colobus and blue monkey are common in the forested sections.
Leopard occur but are rarely seen. There are no resident lion, which is what makes walking and canoeing possible.
The Momella Lakes are alkaline and shallow, and are known for wading birds including flamingo.
Best time to visit
The park is open and worthwhile all year.
June to October is dry and gives the clearest views of Mount Meru and, on a good day, Kilimanjaro to the east.
The green season brings better birdlife and fuller lakes. Mount Meru climbs are possible year round but are harder in the wettest months.
How to get there
By road, the main gate is 25 kilometres from Arusha city and 35 kilometres from JRO, the international airport serving Arusha,, on paved road for most of the way.
No airstrip inside the park is needed. Most visitors arrive by road from Arusha or directly from the airport.
Where to stay
Most visitors stay in Arusha or on the road towards the park and visit for the day. There are lodges and camps near the Momella gate for those staying closer.
Mount Meru climbs use mountain huts on the route, booked as part of the trek rather than separately.
Travel tips
This is the practical choice for a day when you have arrived early or have a late flight out.
For walking safaris an armed ranger is required and is arranged through the park.
Mount Meru is a serious climb and is often used as acclimatisation before Kilimanjaro. It is not a day walk.
Things to do
- Game drives around Ngurdoto Crater and the Momella Lakes
- Guided walking safaris with an armed ranger
- Canoeing on the Momella Lakes
- Mount Meru trekking, three to four days
- Birdwatching and colobus monkey viewing
Trips visiting Arusha National Park
Lake Manyara National Park Day Safari from Arusha
The closest full park to Arusha and the greenest. Groundwater forest, the Rift Valley wall, elephants under fig…
Momella Lakes Canoe Safari in Arusha National Park
One of the few places in Tanzania where you can get out of the vehicle. Canoe the Momella…
Tarangire National Park Day Safari from Arusha
The closest full park day to Arusha, and the best one for elephant. Baobabs, the Tarangire river, and…
Arusha National Park Day Safari
Forty minutes from town: crater forest, the Momella lakes and their flamingos, giraffe and colobus, and Meru above…
3-Day Nyerere National Park Boat and Game Drive Safari from Dar es Salaam
The Rufiji river is what makes Nyerere different from every northern park. Three days by road from Dar…
4-Day Arusha National Park, Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater Budget
4-day private safari visiting Arusha Park, Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater. Guide, 4x4, park fees and full board included.
Combine it with
Parks on the same circuit, close enough to reach in the same trip.
Common questions
Are there lions in Arusha National Park?
No resident lion population. That is why walking safaris and canoeing are permitted here when they are restricted in most other Tanzanian parks.
How far is Arusha National Park from the airport?
The main gate is about 35 kilometres from Kilimanjaro International Airport and 25 kilometres from Arusha city.
Can you climb Mount Meru?
Yes. Mount Meru rises to 4,566 metres and is usually climbed over three to four days. It is often used as acclimatisation before Kilimanjaro.
Is Arusha National Park worth a day?
It suits a first or last day of a trip, and it offers walking and canoeing that larger parks cannot. It is not a substitute for the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Crater.
Planning your trip
The practical reading, from the questions we are asked most.
Fees and rules
Fees, rules and entry requirements are set by these authorities and change without notice. Where our information and theirs disagree, theirs is correct.
- Tanzania National Parks Park entry fees, regulations and opening information, set by the authority itself.
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority Fees and rules for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which are set separately from the national parks.
- Tanzania Immigration Services Visa categories, requirements and the official electronic visa application.
- Tanzania Tourist Board The national tourist board, including the register of licensed operators.