Arusha National Park is a diverse and scenic destination in northern Tanzania, located close to the city of Arusha and beneath the dramatic slopes of Mount Meru. Although smaller than Tanzania’s famous Serengeti and Ngorongoro, the park offers an impressive variety of landscapes, from montane forests and open grasslands to crater lakes and highland moorlands.
At the heart of the park is Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second-highest mountain at 4,566 metres. The mountain provides a spectacular backdrop to game drives and is also an excellent trekking destination for travelers looking for a quieter alternative or an acclimatization climb before Mount Kilimanjaro.
Arusha National Park is home to giraffes, buffalo, zebras, warthogs, elephants and a variety of antelope, while its forests provide habitat for colobus monkeys and other primates. The park’s lakes and wetlands also attract a rich variety of birdlife.
Because of its location close to Arusha, the park is particularly convenient for travelers beginning or ending a northern Tanzania safari. It is also an excellent choice for a short safari, day trip, walking safari or Mount Meru trekking adventure.
552 km²
Arusha National Park covers approximately 552 square kilometres and contains a remarkable variety of habitats, including forest, grassland, wetlands, crater landscapes and alpine environments.
By road: Arusha National Park is one of the most accessible parks in northern Tanzania, located approximately 35 km from Arusha city.
The short journey makes it easy to visit as a day trip or include it at the beginning or end of a longer Northern Tanzania safari.
By air: Travelers arriving through Kilimanjaro International Airport can reach the park by road transfer, making it a convenient first destination after arriving in Tanzania.
June–October — Dry season with generally good conditions for wildlife viewing, hiking and mountain trekking.
December–March — Another good period for trekking and enjoying the park’s green landscapes and clear mountain views.
April–May — Heavier rains can make some trails wetter, although the park becomes particularly lush and green.
Arusha National Park can be visited throughout the year, with the best time depending on whether your main interest is wildlife, hiking, birdwatching or Mount Meru climbing.
1–2 nights for a safari
A full day is enough to experience the park’s main wildlife areas, crater lakes and scenic landscapes.
3–4 days for Mount Meru trekking
The length of a Mount Meru climb depends on the selected route and itinerary, with additional time allowing better acclimatization and a more relaxed ascent.
Arusha National Park offers a combination of wildlife, forest, wetlands and dramatic mountain scenery, making it very different from the open plains of Serengeti.
Mount Meru, at 4,566 metres, is Tanzania’s second-highest mountain and stands at the centre of Arusha National Park.
The mountain is also an important acclimatization trek for climbers preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, while offering its own spectacular summit experience.
Arusha National Park is also unusual because visitors can experience game drives, walking safaris, canoeing and mountain trekking within the same protected area, making it one of the most diverse short safari destinations in northern Tanzania.
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