Tourist Activities to Do in Arusha National Park

Tourist Activities to Do in Arusha National Park

This guide explains the best tourist activities to do in Arusha National Park, who each suits, when to go and how to fit the park into a wider Tanzania itinerary. It is based on years of using the park as a starting point, an acclimatisation stop and a quiet day away from the busier parks.

Arusha National Park covers about 552 square kilometers, small by Tanzanian standards, but it packs in a remarkable range of habitats: the Ngurdoto Crater, the shallow Momella Lakes, montane forest and the slopes of Mount Meru, which rises to 4,566 meters. On clear mornings, Kilimanjaro appears across the plains to the east. Black and white colobus monkeys leap through the forest canopy, flamingos feed on the lakes and buffalo graze in open glades.

What to Expect

Arusha National Park is not a Big Five destination. There are no resident lions, and elephants are seen only occasionally, mainly in forested areas. Leopards are present but rarely seen. The park’s appeal lies in variety, scenery and activities rather than predator viewing.

Game Drives

What to Expect

Game drives in Arusha National Park pass through forest, open glades, the rim of Ngurdoto Crater and the shores of the Momella Lakes. Common sightings include giraffe, buffalo, zebra, waterbuck, bushbuck, warthog, dik dik, Kirk’s red duiker, blue monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys. Hippos are often seen in the small lakes and pools.

Ngurdoto Crater

Ngurdoto is a small crater, about three kilometres across, with a swampy floor. Visitors view it from rim viewpoints rather than descending, as the floor is protected. Buffalo and warthog are often seen grazing below, and the forest around the rim is home to colobus monkeys.

Momella Lakes

The Momella Lakes are a series of shallow, alkaline lakes fed by underground streams. Each lake has a different mineral content, giving them distinct colours. Flamingos, both greater and lesser, gather here seasonally, along with ducks, grebes and waders.

Canoe Ride on Momella Lakes

Walking Safaris

Why Walking Is Special Here

Arusha National Park is one of the few parks in northern Tanzania where walking safaris are permitted, accompanied by an armed park ranger. Walking among giraffe and buffalo on open plains offers a perspective that vehicle safaris cannot match. You notice tracks, birdsong, plants and smaller creatures that are easily missed from a vehicle.

Typical Walks

Walks usually last two to four hours and can include open grassland, forest edges and lake shores. The Tululusia area and the foothills of Mount Meru are popular routes.

Tululusia Waterfall

A walk to the Tululusia waterfall through montane forest on the slopes of Mount Meru is one of the park’s most rewarding hikes. The trail passes fig trees, ferns and streams, with colobus monkeys and forest birds along the way. The waterfall drops into a forested gorge, making a peaceful spot for a picnic.

Canoeing on the Momella Lakes

What to Expect

Canoe trips on the Small Momella Lake offer a quiet and unusual way to see wildlife. Paddling across the water, travellers may see giraffes, buffalo and waterbuck on the shore, along with water birds and occasionally hippos at a safe distance. On clear days, Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro provide a backdrop.

Practical Details

Canoe trips typically last two to three hours, led by a guide. Conditions depend on water levels and weather, and trips may not operate at all times of year. Book in advance through a safari company or operator licensed for the activity.

Climbing Mount Meru

Why Climb Mount Meru

At 4,566 metres, Mount Meru is Tanzania’s second highest mountain and an excellent trek in its own right. It is also one of the best acclimatisation climbs before Kilimanjaro. The route passes through montane forest, open moorland and alpine desert, with wildlife sightings on the lower slopes.

The Momella Route

The standard ascent uses the Momella Route, usually completed in three or four days. Climbers stay in huts: Miriakamba Hut at around 2,500 metres and Saddle Hut at about 3,500 metres. The summit attempt leaves Saddle Hut before dawn and follows a narrow ridge along the rim of the crater to Socialist Peak. Sunrise reveals Kilimanjaro on the horizon and the ash cone within Meru’s crater below.

Meru Climb Overview

Considerations

Mount Meru is steep and the summit ridge can be exposed, so a good level of fitness is needed. An armed ranger accompanies climbers on the lower slopes because of wildlife.

Birdwatching

What to Expect

With more than 400 species recorded, Arusha National Park is a rewarding destination for birders. Habitats range from forest to grassland and alkaline lakes, supporting a diverse mix of species.

Highlights

• Flamingos on the Momella Lakes
• Hartlaub’s turaco in the montane forest
• Narina trogon
• Silvery cheeked hornbill
• African fish eagle around the lakes
• Augur buzzard and crowned eagle above the forests
• Palearctic migrants between November and April

Picnics and Photography

Scenic Viewpoints

The park offers several picnic sites and viewpoints, including the Ngurdoto Crater rim, the Momella Lakes and spots with views of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro. Morning light often provides the clearest views of the mountains.

Photography Highlights

• Giraffes against Mount Meru
• Colobus monkeys in forest canopy
• Flamingos on coloured lakes
• Kilimanjaro at sunrise

Cultural and Historical Interest

The Momella area was a filming location for the 1962 Hollywood film Hatari! starring John Wayne, and the farmhouse used during filming later became a lodge. Local guides often share stories of the film and the area’s settler history.

Outside the park, cultural tourism programmes in villages around Arusha and the slopes of Mount Meru offer visits to coffee farms, local markets and Meru and Arusha communities.

Comparing the Activities

Best Time to Visit Arusha National Park

Clear mornings in the dry seasons offer the best mountain views and the most comfortable hiking conditions.

Getting There

Arusha National Park lies about 25 to 35 kilometres northeast of Arusha town. The drive takes roughly 40 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic and road conditions. Kilimanjaro International Airport is around an hour away, making the park convenient on arrival or departure days.

Arusha National Park

Fees and Costs

Park entry fees are set by Tanzania National Parks and apply per person per day, with additional charges for vehicles, guides, walking safaris, canoeing and Mount Meru climbs. Fees for international visitors are considerably higher than for residents and citizens.

Where to Stay

Accommodation near Arusha National Park ranges from lodges on the park’s edge to coffee farm estates and boutique hotels around Arusha and Usa River. Staying close to the park allows early starts for walking and canoeing.