Welcome to
Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is one of the most accessible national parks in northern Tanzania. Located close to Arusha city and Kilimanjaro International Airport, the park is a strong choice for travelers who want a shorter safari, a walking safari or a scenic introduction to Tanzania’s landscapes.
The park is known for Mount Meru, the Momella Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, forested slopes, open areas and rich birdlife. It is not a classic Big Five safari park, but it offers a very different experience from Tanzania’s larger wildlife areas.
With Shemeji Safari, Arusha National Park can be planned as a day trip, an active safari experience or part of a wider northern Tanzania itinerary. Our local team helps you decide whether the park fits your route, timing and travel style.
Plan your Arusha National Park visit with local support
- Dutch-Tanzanian family-owned tour operator
- Local team based in Arusha
- Private tailor-made Tanzania safaris
- Walking safaris and active travel options
- 5/5 on TripAdvisor with 170+ reviews
On this page
- Why visit Arusha National Park?
- Arusha National Park wildlife
- Mount Meru and scenery
- Things to do in Arusha National Park
- How Arusha National Park fits into your route
- Arusha National Park facts and travel times
- Frequently asked questions
Why visit Arusha National Park?
Arusha National Park is ideal for travelers who want nature, scenery and wildlife without traveling far from Arusha. The park is smaller and quieter than some of Tanzania’s famous safari destinations, but it offers a surprising variety of landscapes in a compact area.
This is a good park for a first safari experience, a final day before flying home, a walking safari or a scenic day trip near Arusha. It is also an important destination for travelers interested in Mount Meru.
What makes Arusha National Park special?
- Close to Arusha city and Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Home to Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second-highest mountain
- Known for walking safaris with an armed ranger
- Strong chance of seeing giraffes, buffalo, zebras and monkeys
- Good birdwatching around the Momella Lakes
- A scenic park with forest, lakes, crater views and mountain landscapes
Arusha National Park wildlife
Arusha National Park has a diverse resident wildlife population. Visitors may see giraffes, buffalo, zebras, waterbucks, warthogs, hippos, baboons and black-and-white colobus monkeys. The park is also known for its birdlife, especially around the Momella Lakes.
Arusha National Park is not the right choice if your main goal is to see lions or the Big Five. There are no lions in the park, and large predator sightings are limited. However, the park offers a quieter and more active safari experience, especially for travelers who want to walk, explore varied landscapes or enjoy birdwatching.
Animals you may see in Arusha National Park
- Giraffes
- Buffalo
- Zebras
- Black-and-white colobus monkeys
- Baboons
- Hippos
- Waterbucks
- Warthogs
- Flamingos and many other bird species
- Leopards, with luck
Mount Meru and the landscapes of Arusha National Park
Mount Meru is one of the main features of Arusha National Park. The mountain rises to 4,566 meters and creates a dramatic backdrop for the park’s forests, lakes and open areas.
Travelers can explore the lower slopes of Mount Meru during shorter visits, while more active travelers may choose a multi-day Mount Meru climb. From higher elevations, the scenery changes from forest and moorland to rocky volcanic landscapes.
On clear days, parts of the park also offer views of Mount Kilimanjaro. This makes Arusha National Park a strong choice for travelers who want mountain scenery without immediately committing to a full Kilimanjaro climb.
If you are interested in mountain travel, you can also explore our Kilimanjaro trips.
Things to do in Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is one of the best places in northern Tanzania for travelers who want more than a standard game drive. The park offers several active and scenic experiences, depending on your interests and available time.
Game drives
A game drive gives you the chance to explore the park’s forests, lakes and open areas by safari vehicle. This is a good way to see giraffes, buffalo, zebras, monkeys, waterbucks and birdlife.
Walking safari
safari with an armed ranger is one of the most memorable ways to experience Arusha National Park. Instead of only viewing wildlife from a vehicle, you experience the landscape at a slower pace and learn more about tracks, plants, animals and the environment.
Mount Meru climb
Mount Meru can be climbed as a multi-day trek. This is a serious mountain experience and should be planned carefully, with the right timing, fitness, equipment and guidance.
Birdwatching at Momella Lakes
The Momella Lakes are known for birdlife and lake scenery. Depending on the season and conditions, you may see flamingos, water birds and many other species.
Nearby local activities
Because the park is close to Arusha, it can also be combined with a coffee plantation visit, Arusha city tour, local market visit, Lake Duluti or other nearby activities.
For more ideas, view our activities overview.
How Arusha National Park fits into your Tanzania itinerary
Arusha National Park works well at the beginning or end of a Tanzania journey. Because it is close to Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport, it can be a practical and rewarding option when you have limited time.
It can also be used as a gentle introduction before visiting larger safari areas such as Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro or Serengeti. For active travelers, it can be combined with Mount Meru or other nature-based activities near Arusha.
Example Arusha National Park combinations
- Day trip from Arusha: game drive and scenic park visit
- Active day: walking safari with an armed ranger
- Northern safari route: Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti
- Mountain-focused journey: Mount Meru combined with Kilimanjaro or safari
- Arrival or departure day: short nature experience close to Arusha or KIA
You can use our safari packages as inspiration for your own tailor-made Tanzania route.
Plan my Arusha National Park visit
Best time to visit Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park can be visited throughout the year. The best time depends on whether you want to focus on wildlife, walking safaris, mountain views, birdwatching or climbing Mount Meru.
Our local experts’ recommendation for the dry season
The dry season is often a practical time for wildlife viewing, walking safaris and clearer views. It can be a good choice if you want easier conditions and more predictable travel planning.
Our local experts’ recommendation for the green season
The green season can bring lush scenery, bird activity and atmospheric landscapes. Rain can influence some conditions, but the park can still be rewarding when planned well.
Mount Meru planning
If you want to climb Mount Meru, the timing should be planned more carefully than a regular day visit. Weather, route conditions, fitness and preparation all matter.
For wider seasonal advice, read our guide about the best time to visit Tanzania.
Arusha National Park facts and travel times
Arusha National Park is one of the easiest parks to reach from Arusha city and Kilimanjaro International Airport. This makes it a practical option for shorter safari experiences, walking safaris and scenic day trips.
National park facts
- Area: approximately 137 km²
- Location: near Arusha, between Mount Meru and the surrounding highlands
- Distance from Arusha: around 25 km
- Established: 1960
- Highest point: Mount Meru, 4,566 meters
- Known for: Mount Meru, Momella Lakes, walking safaris, giraffes, colobus monkeys and birdlife
Approximate travel times
- Arusha National Park to Arusha city: around 1 hour
- Arusha National Park to Lake Manyara: around 2.5 hours
- Arusha National Park to Tarangire: around 3 hours
- Arusha National Park to Serengeti: around 6 hours
Plan your Arusha National Park visit with Shemeji Safari
Shemeji Safari is based in Arusha, which makes Arusha National Park a natural part of our local travel planning. We can help you decide whether the park fits your arrival day, departure day, active travel plans or wider safari route.
Our team can combine Arusha National Park with other destinations in northern Tanzania, including Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park.
Whether you want a short park visit, walking safari, Mount Meru experience or a complete Tanzania safari route, we help shape the itinerary around your interests and pace.
Highlights and FAQ
Yes, Arusha National Park is worth visiting if you want a scenic and accessible park close to Arusha. It is especially suitable for walking safaris, birdwatching, giraffe sightings, Mount Meru views and shorter safari experiences.
Arusha National Park is known for Mount Meru, Momella Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, walking safaris, giraffes, black-and-white colobus monkeys, buffalo, zebras and rich birdlife.
Arusha National Park is not a Big Five destination. The park is not known for lions, and you should not choose it if seeing all of the Big Five is your main goal. For a stronger chance of seeing species such as lions, elephants, buffalo and other iconic safari wildlife, parks such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro or Tarangire are generally better suited. Arusha National Park is better known for its varied landscapes, giraffes, monkeys, birdlife and activities such as walking safaris and canoeing.
Yes, walking safaris are one of the highlights of Arusha National Park. They are done with an armed ranger and offer a slower, more detailed way to experience the landscape.
Yes, Mount Meru is located within Arusha National Park and can be climbed as a multi-day trek. This should be planned carefully with the right preparation, timing and guidance.
Arusha National Park is close to Arusha city, around 25 kilometers away. Travel time is usually around one hour, depending on your starting point and road conditions.
Yes, Arusha National Park can be a good first safari experience, especially if you want a shorter and more accessible introduction to Tanzania’s wildlife and landscapes.
Yes. Arusha National Park can be combined with Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti as part of a wider northern Tanzania safari route.
After your request, the Shemeji Safari team reviews your travel dates, interests and preferred pace. We then advise whether Arusha National Park fits your route and help shape a private itinerary around your plans.