Discover Tanzania

Arusha National Park

A scenic day-trip park of forest, lakes and Mount Meru, moments from Arusha town.

Discover Tanzania

Arusha National Park

A scenic day-trip park of forest, lakes and Mount Meru, moments from Arusha town.

About the Park

Welcome to Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is one of Tanzania’s most beautiful and accessible parks, lying just a short drive from Arusha town and Kilimanjaro Airport. Though small, it packs in a remarkable range of scenery: the rainforest and jagged crater of Mount Meru, the Ngurdoto Crater, and the shimmering Momella Lakes.

Because there are no lions in most of the park, it is one of the few places in Tanzania where you can explore on a guided walking safari or a canoe trip on the lakes. Giraffe, buffalo, zebra, warthog and colobus monkeys are common, and the alkaline lakes attract flamingos and hundreds of other birds. It is the perfect day trip - or the ideal warm-up before climbing Meru or Kilimanjaro.

Activities beyond a game drive

Arusha National Park is ideal when you want an active day outdoors without committing to a long road safari. Its forest, open glades and lakes provide a close-up introduction to northern Tanzania’s varied habitats. Depending on park arrangements, a guided walking safari can reveal tracks, plants and smaller wildlife that are easy to miss from a vehicle, while canoeing at the Momella Lakes gives a different view of the landscape. Mount Meru rises above it all and makes this area attractive to hikers.

Practical travel tips

Book guided walks and canoeing in advance; these experiences depend on authorised park arrangements.
Pack walking shoes, water and rain protection, particularly when cloud builds around Mount Meru.
Allow a full day if combining lake scenery, forest wildlife and a walking experience.

If mountain scenery is your priority, also explore Mount Meru. See TANAPA’s visitor guide for rules on ranger-led activities.

Common questions

Can visitors walk freely inside Arusha National Park?

Walking experiences require authorised arrangements and a ranger or guide. Follow park instructions rather than setting out independently.

Is Arusha National Park like a Serengeti safari?

Not quite. Arusha is smaller and excels at forest, lakes, walking, primates and Mount Meru views; Serengeti is better suited to extensive plains game drives.

Flamingos massed along the shore of Lake Manyara

Best time to visitJune-February for clear views of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro; good year-round for a day trip.

Giraffe in the african national park, Tanzania

Mounted lion on display in an Arusha museum

Wildlife Highlights

Mount Meru

Tanzania's second-highest peak, superb for trekking and acclimatisation.

Walking safaris

Explore on foot with an armed ranger, a rare treat in Tanzania.

Momella Lakes

Alkaline lakes alive with flamingos, best explored by canoe.

Black-and-white colobus

One of the best places to see these striking monkeys.

Giraffe & buffalo

Plentiful plains game against a backdrop of two great mountains.

Getting There & Entry

Getting thereJust 45 minutes (40 km) from Arusha and about an hour from Kilimanjaro International Airport - the easiest park to reach for a day trip.
Entry requirementsPassport and Tanzania visa for most nationalities. Walking safaris require an armed ranger, which we arrange as part of the trip.

Park Fees

Arusha National Park fees vary by residency, age and selected activities; guided walking and canoeing can require additional arrangements. Current TANAPA tariffs are confirmed before booking.

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