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Arusha NP Safari - Compare 353 Tours

3.7/5  –  116 Arusha NP Safari Reviews

Arusha National Park often gets ignored because there are so many other riches spread across Tanzania’s north. Other parks in the region can offer a better safari experience and Mt Kilimanjaro has the prestige of being Africa’s highest mountain. But Arusha National Park can offer both excellent wildlife and one of Africa's most beautiful mountains. This is a park where you can enjoy the thrill of seeing animals roaming freely against the stunning backdrop of Mt Meru, which you can also climb. It’s really close to the city of Arusha, too, northern Tanzania’s major international gateway, which makes it a terrific park to visit before or after you go out elsewhere on safari.

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5 Questions About Arusha NP Safaris

1. Which animals can I see in Arusha National Park?
2. Can I climb Mt Meru as part of an Arusha safari?
3. How long is the drive from Arusha to Arusha National Park?
4. Can I see Mt Meru or Mt Kilimanjaro from inside the park?
5. Are there lakes, waterfalls or special scenic areas worth visiting inside the park?
 
 

5 Questions About Arusha NP Safaris

Answered by Anthony Ham

Which animals can I see in Arusha National Park?

“An Arusha safari is a good way to get an introduction to seeing wildlife, including giraffe and hippo (especially at Momela Lakes), zebra and buffalo. And there’s no other park where the backdrop to these animals climbs quite so high, with Mt Meru rising steeply above an area known as Serengeti Ndogo (Little Serengeti), where many of the animals gather. If you’re really lucky, you might also see elephant, waterbuck, bushbuck and klipspringer. Look also for Kilimanjaro colobus or troupes of blue monkey in the forests of Arusha. Other possibilities include Harvey’s red duiker or the tiny Kirk’s dik-dik, one of the smallest of all antelope species. The park isn’t home to many predator species, although there’s a slim chance you might see a spotted hyena, or perhaps even a leopard hiding up in the trees. In addition to mammals, the birding here is outstanding, with more than 400 species recorded within the park’s boundaries.”

1

Can I climb Mt Meru as part of an Arusha safari?

“Climbing Mt Meru (4,562m/14,967ft) is certainly possible on an Arusha safari, and it’s actually one of the best treks you can do in northern Tanzania. It’s a 4-day expedition, and its trails are far less crowded than those of Mt Kilimanjaro. The latter’s summit may be higher, but many who have climbed both prefer Mt Meru for the views it offers, especially of the mountain itself and down into its crater. Among the highlights are the mountain’s dramatic volcanic cone: the walk along the narrow crater rim is not for the fainthearted and is utterly magnificent. Some of the cliffs here are 1,500m/4,921ft high. There’s even a mini peak (known as Ash Cone) down below in the heart of the crater. This is a major expedition, so it’s best to go with a reputable operator that can arrange a package that includes all the necessary supplies, guides and porters. An excellent place to find tours and reviews of operators from other travelers who have made the climb is www.safaribookings.com.”

2

How long is the drive from Arusha to Arusha National Park?

“One of the great attractions of Arusha National Park is that it’s really close to the city of Arusha and yet a world away. It takes less than an hour to travel the 35km/22mi from the traffic-choked streets of downtown Arusha to the park entrance. Most of the route takes you along the busy Arusha–Moshi road. From the turn-off to the national park’s Ngongongare gate, it’s just 10km/6mi. You pay your entrance fees at Ngongongare, while the Momela gate (where the park headquarters are) is around 15km/9mi farther along the road. Although the park is closer to Arusha, it’s also possible to visit Arusha National Park from Moshi. From this other northern safari town, it’s around 90km/56mi to the Ngongongare gate, or about a two-hour drive.”

3

Can I see Mt Meru or Mt Kilimanjaro from inside the park?

“Yes, you can see both mountains from inside Arusha National Park, although it depends on where you are in the park. Mt Meru is visible from many areas except from within dense forests, while Mt Kilimanjaro is best seen from the northern side of the park. Remember also that clouds often obscure the summits of both mountains, so they may not be visible at all times. If you’re lucky enough to be looking up at one of the mountains when the clouds clear, it can be a magical sight and the highlight of any Tanzanian holiday. The views of Mt Meru are obviously better, because the mountain is inside the park’s boundaries. In fact, if you want to climb Mt Meru, that is possible and the routes up the mountain begin and end inside Arusha National Park. The views of Mt Kilimanjaro are more distant, but still possible on a clear day.”

4

Are there lakes, waterfalls or special scenic areas worth visiting inside the park?

“Mt Meru is the most obvious scenic attraction inside Arusha National Park. Many travelers actually prefer the view of Mt Meru to that of Mt Kilimanjaro, because the shapes of the two mountains are entirely different, and Meru is often considered more dramatic. Another scenic highlight is Momela Lakes, whose waters are very often filled with flamingos. On a clear day, you can even enjoy the lakes with a view of Mt Kilimanjaro in the background. Other highlights include Ngurdoto Crater, which is often considered to be like a mini Ngorongoro Crater, and the forests throughout the park.”

5

Arusha NP Safari Reviews

3.7/5 116 Reviews
Expert
Stephen Cunliffe  –  
South Africa ZA

Stephen is a travel writer and avid conservationist whose work appears in prestigious magazines such as Africa Geographic and Travel Africa.

Meru and the Flamingos
4/5

Arusha National Park is a small, attractive and easily accessed African reserve. At 13,700 hectares, the park offers a surprising diversity of habitats and wildlife within a remarkably compact area. But, wildlife aside, Arusha National Park...

Full 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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Julie and Stuart B  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Oct 28, 2025
4/5

Lovely tropical vegetation. Beautiful landscape. We did a walking safari and we were very fortunate that our guide took us very very close to a family of giraffes. The lake and surrounding area is picturesque. It was a lovely way to...

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Abdul Jabbar Soomro  –  
Pakistan PK
Reviewed: Apr 23, 2025
5/5

Arusha National Park is a charming and underrated safari destination. Its diverse landscapes—from lush forests to open plains and crater lakes—offer rich scenery and wildlife variety. While smaller than other parks, it’s perfect for...

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Ute G.  –  
Germany DE
Reviewed: Nov 23, 2024
5/5

"Northern Tanzania in Miniature", Walking Safari: Highlight is the up-close wildlife viewing, countless species of monkeys, haven for a vibrant array of birdlife, unique combination of wildlife sightings and intimate proximity to...

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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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All 116 Arusha NP Safari Reviews