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Where to go, what to do while in Tanzania.

ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK

Thanks to its proximity to Arusha town, Arusha National Park is one of the easily accessible safari destinations in Tanzania. Considered ‘The Green Jewel’, Arusha National Park is home to the 5th Largest Mountain in Africa – Mt. Meru. Climbing the Mt. Meru or game viewing around the Momela Lakes, a visit to Arusha National Park is pure bliss. Along the lower slopes of the mountain, paths to rivers and waterfalls make a relaxing day hike for visitors.

Most safari-goers often overlook the park worried that they may not see that much wildlife. Contrary to that, Arusha National Park offers a rare opportunity to experience nature in its true habitat.

Attractions/ what to see and do

  1. Game drives

Due to the varied landscapes that exist within the park, there is an unusually high level of diversity when it comes to wildlife.

Not only is the park home to Africa’s largest giraffe population, but visitors can also expect to see water bucks, cape buffalo, elephants, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, turacos, trogons, and even the occasional lion or leopard in the right conditions.

  1. Views and Walks/Hiking at Mt. Meru

Africa’s fifth highest mountain cuts a striking figure at 4,566m (14,990 feet). While Kilimanjaro is often shy and hides behind clouds, Mt. Meru is generally visible throughout the year.

An active volcano, Mt. Meru is also a popular climbing destination for visitors to Tanzania and a good introductory mountain for those wishing to climb Kilimanjaro. Not only does the climb offer a spectacular view of Kilimanjaro from the summit, but the hike itself is also an incredibly rewarding walking safari that takes you through multiple habitats where you can encounter giraffes, elephants, antelopes, and more

  1. Ngurdoto Crater

This swampy crater is inhabited by a large variety of animals and is a popular stop for game drives. Visitors can expect to see the Cape buffalo, elephants, monkeys, baboons, warthogs, and a number of different antelope species here.

The crater is surrounded by the Ngurdoto Forest, a shady expanse that is home to playful black and white colobus monkeys.

Nearby is Serengeti Ndogu (Little Serengeti), an expansive grassland where herds of zebras can be seen throughout the year.

  1. Ngurdoto Museum

Overlooking the Ngurdoto Forest with its population of black and white colobus monkeys, the Ngurdoto Museum houses an impressive collection of examples of the various animals, birds, and insects that can be found within the park.

  1. Hiking and camping at Tululusia Hill

A former lookout point during tribal wars from Tanzania’s post, Tululusia Hill is today a popular hiking and camping area that affords visitors an excellent view of the lower reaches of the Arusha National Park as well as Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.

This heavily forested region of the park is home to elephants, buffalo, colobus monkeys, the red duiker, suni, leopards, and even tree-dwelling pythons

  1. Canoeing the Momella Lakes

The Momella Lakes within Arusha National Park are a series of seven shallow lakes: Big Momella, Small Momella, Kusare, Lekandiro, Tulusia, Rishateni, and El Kekhotoito. Alkaline lakes with considerable algae growth, each of these  lakes is a different shade of green or blue.

While the water is not suitable for drinking, it is possible to see a variety of birds (including flamingoes) and animals such as water bucks, giraffes, zebras, and dik-diks in the surrounding area.

It is on Small Momella Lake that canoeing safaris are possible.