A Multi-faceted Jewel
Arusha National Park is often overlooked by those rushing to the Serengeti, but it is one of Tanzania’s most beautiful and diverse parks. Located just a short drive from Arusha city and Kilimanjaro International Airport, it offers a unique combination of alkaline lakes, mountain peaks, and lush montane forest.
The park is dominated by Mount Meru, Africa’s fifth-highest peak, which provides a dramatic backdrop to the entire park. On clear days, the park also offers some of the best views of Mount Kilimanjaro, located only 50km away.
The Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater
The park features the seven Momella Lakes, each with a slightly different shade of green or blue due to their varying mineral content. These lakes are a magnet for thousands of flamingos and other waterbirds. In contrast, the Ngurdoto Crater—a miniature version of Ngorongoro—is a hidden “Lost World” of forest and swamp that is a sanctuary for buffalos and warthogs.
The Black-and-White Colobus Monkey
Arusha National Park is the best place in northern Tanzania to see the striking Black-and-white Colobus Monkey. These beautiful primates are easily spotted in the high canopy of the montane forest, their long white tails trailing behind them like streamers as they leap between trees.
Mount Meru: The Great Trek
Mount Meru (4,566m) is more than just a “warm-up” for Kilimanjaro; it is a spectacular destination in its own right. The climb to the summit involves a walk along a narrow, knife-edge ridge with a sheer drop into the ash cone below. The trek offers incredible views of Kilimanjaro and the chance to see wildlife on foot in the lower forest zones.
The Spectacular Mount Meru
Mount Meru (4,566m) is the dramatic centerpiece of Arusha National Park and Africa’s fifth-highest peak. While often used as a ‘warm-up’ for Kilimanjaro, Meru is a spectacular and challenging destination in its own right. The climb to the summit involves a traverse of the ‘Crater Rim,’ a narrow, knife-edge ridge that offers some of the most breathtaking views in East Africa. On one side, you look down 1,500 meters into the massive ash cone and the caldera floor, and on the other, you see the vast plains of Tanzania with Mount Kilimanjaro rising in the distance. The mountain is also a wildlife haven; you often hike through the lower forest zones among herds of buffalo and giraffe, providing a unique ‘walking safari’ element to the mountaineering experience.
The Momella Lakes: A Sea of Green and Pink
The park features seven alkaline lakes known as the Momella Lakes. Each lake has a different hue—ranging from deep emerald green to turquoise blue—caused by the varying mineral content and the different types of algae that grow in them. These lakes are a magnet for thousands of Lesser and Greater Flamingos, which create a shimmering sea of pink along the shorelines. Because the lakes are alkaline, they do not support fish, but they are teeming with microscopic life that attracts a high diversity of waterbirds, including various species of ducks, grebes, and herons. Canoeing on the Small Momella Lake is a tranquil highlight, offering a silent way to approach the flamingos and the hippos that wallow in the shallows.
Ngurdoto Crater: The ‘Little Ngorongoro’
In the southeastern corner of the park lies the Ngurdoto Crater, a miniature version of the famous Ngorongoro. This 3km-wide caldera is a hidden ‘Lost World’ of dense rainforest and swampy floor. To protect the integrity of the ecosystem, human descent into the crater is strictly prohibited, but several lookouts along the rim provide spectacular views into this ancient sanctuary. From the rim, you can often see herds of buffalo and warthogs grazing in the clearings far below. The forest surrounding the crater is also the best place in northern Tanzania to see the striking Black-and-white Colobus Monkey, whose long, flowing white tails make them one of the most beautiful primates in Africa.
A Botanical Crossroads: The Montane Forest
Arusha National Park protects one of the most beautiful tracts of montane forest in Tanzania. The forest is a world of giant ancient trees, hanging mosses, and delicate orchids. Because the park spans a wide range of altitudes—from the lake basins at 1,500m to the peak of Meru at 4,500m—it contains a high diversity of plant species. You can find everything from lush groundwater forest at the park gate to giant heather and afro-alpine moorland on the higher slopes. This botanical diversity supports a high density of wildlife, including the elusive leopard and the red duiker. For birders, the forest is a treasure trove of colorful species like the Narina Trogon and various species of hornbills and turacos, making every walk a journey of discovery.
