Arusha National Park

About Park

Covers a 137 sq km and lies between the peaks of Mountain Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru and ascends from 1500 meters at Momella to 4566 meters at the summit of Mount Meru. Established in 1960 the park had contained only Ngurdoto Crater and Momella lakes, until 1967 when Mt. Meru was made part of the Park.

Location and Directions

Located in Northern Tanzania, northeast of Arusha town. Getting there is  an easy 40-minute drive from Arusha. Approximately 60 km (35 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari.

What to do and see

Forest walks and numerous picnic sites are the most common activities as well as a three- or four-day Mt Meru climb – good acclimatization for Kilimanjaro.

Arusha National Park is famous for its 400 species of bird life, both migrant and resident such as red sharks, hamerkops, spurwinged gooses, herons, woodpeckers, grey parrots, secretary birds and many more. The Momela Lakes offer plenty of bird watching opportunities.

When to go and what you need

Entering the park required paid permits before hand. To climb Mt Meru, June-February although it may rain in November. Best views of Kilimanjaro December-February.  Mountain Climbing Permits duration time is 12 HOURS.

Accomodations

Two lodges, two rest houses, camp sites, two mountain huts inside the park; more lodges at Usa River outside the park and many hotels and hostels in Arusha town.