​Overview – Arusha NP

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Tanzania.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Though very accessible, Arusha NP isn't on many safari itineraries. This is mainly because it doesn't offer a chance of seeing the Big Five. The park is at the base of Mount Meru, which is good for climbing. It has a range of habitats including forest – home to the black-and-white colobus monkey – and the park is excellent for birding.

 
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Best Time To Go June to October (Animals are easier to spot)
High Season July to March (The park never gets too crowded)
Size 552km² / 213mi²
Altitude 1,280-4,217m / 4,199-13,835ft
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Pros & Cons

  • Very scenic with different habitats, including forest
  • Views of Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Excellent birding with about 400 species, including forest birds
  • Close to Arusha and accessible for a day trip
  • Canoeing, walking and mountain climbs offered
  • Off-the-beaten-track and not crowded
  • Most of the major safari animals aren't present or easily seen

Arusha NP Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Wildlife

Wildlife viewing in Arusha NP is more low-key than in the other parks in northern Tanzania. Animals that are easily seen include buffalo, giraffe and several antelope species. More exciting is the black-and-white colobus monkey that lives in the forest, and the large number of bird species. Several lakes often host flocks of flamingo.

Scenery

The park's appeal is mainly its scenery. The habitat diversity spans from montane (mountain) rainforest to moist savannah to alpine moorland. The most prominent landmark is Mount Meru. Other highlights are a massive extinct volcano and several scenic lakes, with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background on a clear day.

Weather & Climate

Arusha's mild climate sees average daytime temperatures ranging from 21°C/70°F to 26°C/79°F. The Dry season (June to October) is the coolest time of year, getting downright chilly before sunrise. Rug up if you're doing an early game drive. The Wet season (November to May) has two periods of rainfall with a dry spell in between. But it's only during the so-called 'long rains' (March to May) that downpours might hamper your safari.

Best Time To Visit

You can practically freeze at night in Arusha during the drier months (June to October) when the occasional cold front sweeps through. But that's the only real challenge of visiting at this time. The wildlife watching is at its best, and the sunshine at its brightest. The wetter months mainly appeal to those keen to see the arrival of migratory birds.

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Arusha NP Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Philip Briggs  –  
South Africa ZA

Philip is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many guidebooks, including the Bradt guides to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa.

Below Mount Meru
4/5

This small national park doesn’t score too highly as a conventional safari destination – of the so-called Big Five, elephant are rather uncommon, leopard scarce, and lion and rhino absent altogether. Taken on its own terms, however, it...

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Latest User Review
Linda S  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Feb 25, 2023
5/5

This was the only park where we say lots of blue monkeys swinging in the trees. We also spotted one group of Colobus monkeys who are only seen near/on Mt. Kilamanjaro. We saw a larger population of baboons than other parks. We were close...

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