Arusha National Park
The very closest national park to Arusha city, this beautiful park has often been called a “little germ” and rightly so, just 30minutes drive from Arusha town the safari hub of northern Tanzania. With mount Meru which is 4,566 m (14980ft) the second highest mountain in Tanzania and the 5th highest free standing mountain in Africa. The valley, lakes and small plains clothed in green all around the year, it has a wonderful feelings peace and solitude, Mount Meru offers unforgettable experience and serves as acclimatization refuge before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Arusha national park is the home of Black and white colobus monkey, these species contributes into visitors experience during the park visit because they can easily spotted.
The best time to visit the park
The park can be visited throughout the year however the best time is between June to September and from December to March, the short rain season is from October to November and the heavy rain from end of march to May with annual average rainfall, the altitude of the park is between 1,700 and 4566 meter at the peak of the mountain.
The areas and Attractions of Arusha national park
The small Serengeti, describes the open grassland a place in the park where various animals in large numbers can easily seen such as buffaloes, warthogs, zebras waterbucks, giraffes, monkeys, several birds etc that’s why called small Serengeti.
The Mount Meru
The park hols a second highest mountain in Tanzania providing a good chance of exploring mountainous habitats inhabited with different animals and plants species which are differently from those found in lowland.
Ngurdoto and Meru Crater
This pear-shaped Ngurdoto resembling just like a miniature of Ngorongoro crater comprises of five viewing point of Mikindu, the rock, buffaloes the glade and Leitong being the highest point, from this poin the snow of peak of Kilimanjaro mountain, Momella lakes and lower slope with human settlements can be easily seen.
Tululusia Hill and Waterfall.
Tululusia hill means “lookout point” is a view point that provides an excellent view of the lower area of Arusha national park, mount meru and the majestic Kilimanjaro, Tululusia waterfall found on a narrow sided valley formed as a result of erosion of a soft volcanic soil leaving behind a steep gorge with the hight of 28 meters (84ft), it is a home of nesting red-winged starlings and having a chance of getting your photos around this natural environment are usually spectacular.
Lake Longil and Momella lakes.
Lake Longil is the only fresh water lake in the park, inhabited with Tilapia fish and also there are Papyrus ans Mace reed floating as Islands and changes their position following the wind direction, the Momella Lakes with different mineral contents a different type of algae growth and this gives each lake a different color. The famous Momella lakes provide home and important feeding ground for both Lesser and Greater Flamongoes, one of impotant site to visit for bird watchers.
Fig Tree Arch at Arusha National Park
A striking feature of the Fig tree Arch (Ficus thoningii) with its roots reaching the ground while leaving behind an arch enough for a car to drive through.
What to do in Arusha National park
the park has multi activities such as game drive, short and long walking safaris, canoeing, cycling, Horse Riding and mountain climbing.
Mount Meru Climbing
This is a 2nights 3days adventure using the mountain huts which as Miriakamba and Saddle huts, it has to be prearranged at the Momella gate requiring porters, Guige, Cooker and armed ranger escort, the hike traverses several vegetation zones including beautiful Montana forest, Expect to see wildlife on-route including buffaloes, giraffe, monkeys baboons, antelopes and lots of birds.
Arusha National Park Walking Safaris.
Arusha national park is a great place to do walking safaris, enjoy natural forest in comfort because of the cool climate, walking safaris has to be arranged at the gate and should accompanied by armed ranger.
Lake Momella Canoeing.
Canoeing is possible by pre-arrangement before entry at the park, on small momella lake is where this activity take place, while on your canoeing different animals such as hippos and water birds often seen when canoeing
Horseback riding,
Horseback trails have been established and can combined with overnight stay within the park and this also should be pre-arrangements.
Game drive and bird watching. Game drive are possible on a well maintained road and tracks, it is experience that tourists can get in a day game drive from Arusha town, the park has more than 450 bird species including both resident and migratory birds, at small momella and longil lakes both water and non-water birds can be sighted.
