Arusha National Park is the closest national park near Arusha town. It is just ½ to1 hour drive by tarmac road from Arusha town, the tourism centre of northern Tanzania. The horizon is dominated by the spectacular views of mount Meru, Africa’s faith largest peak. And the parts of the mountain are with the park boundaries and offering great of view Mountain Kilimanjaro to the East.
There are plenty of wildlife to spot while on your safari in Arusha national park. In fact keep an eye out for Giraffes, zebras, Dik-dik, solitary cape buffaloes, Warthog. Furthermore, it is also great place to see lions, leopards, and spotted hyena. And again these are mostly seen in the morning and late afternoon. And also the only place in the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black and white colubus monkeys is easily seen.
In addition, most common wildlife mammals that are easily seen here are; lions, buffaloes, impalas, hippos, waterbucks, elephants, cheetah, and leopards. More so, From December ,when the long rains start, to may, eastern Serengeti plains provide best chances to wildlife viewing. And as hundreds of thousands of the annual migratory animals are concentrated in this part attracted by short palatable grass.
The park is visited all year around, however the best time is between month of June and September. And again from December to early march. The short rainy period is from October to November. And too much rain is from March to May with annual average rain fall
The park is located an altitude between 1,700 and 4566meters
The park is also accessed by Road or air.
By road: it is just ½ an hour drive on tarmac from Arusha town to the park main gate at Ngongongare gate which is about 32km
By Air: the park is also accessed by air from Kilimanjaro international airport which is just about 40 km
Arusha national park is the park of mult activities; these activities include game drive, short walking safari, long walking safari is park of multi tourist activities which include game drives, short walking safari , horse riding, cycling, mountain climbing, canoeing .
The park has more than 450 bird species including both resident and migratory birds. At small Mornella and longil lakes, both water and non-water birds are sighted.
Game drives are possible on well-maintained network of roads and tracks with the park. It is an experience that tourist get in day game drive from Arusha town
Further, game drives are always encouraged to use 4 wheel vans with roof tops that provides you more chances of viewing animals and taking photos in distance
Horseback trails have been established and are combined with overnight stays in camps within the park but with prior arrangement
Canoeing is possible by prior arrangement on small Mornella Lake with buffaloes, Giraffe, bushbuck, waterbuck and hippos are seen. Wading and water birds
Arusha National park is great place for walking, and place where one enjoys natural forest in comfort because of the cool climate. More so hiking is arranged at one of the 2 gates. Fee payable and any walk is accompanied by armed ranger guide
This is a 2 night 3 day adventure using the mountain huts Miriakamba and saddle huts. And It is prearranged at the Mornella Gate requiring porters and an armed Ranger escort. Further, the hike traverses several vegetation zones including beautiful montane forests. Again expect to see wildlife en-route including buffalo, Giraffe, monkeys, baboon, antelope and lots of birds
The best time to visit Arusha National Park is from June to October, during the dry season. Then It is easier to spot the wildlife – since they normally gather around the waterholes, rainfall is minimal, And again vegetation is not too thick and mosquitos levels are reduced. However, when you’re visiting make sure you carry warm clothes for the morning game drives, since the early mornings of June all through August are cold.
Further, for Birders, for November to December and March through May – the rains transform the landscape as lush, green grasses emerge and this is also the best time to witness the migratory birds.
In a nut shell there fore, when you visit Arusha Park, it is best known for the black-and-white colobus monkeys, Mount Meru, swamps, lakes, waterfalls and craters! And a beautiful park with a wide diversity of landscapes and wildlife
