Arusha national park
Arusha national park is a wildlife viewing destination which is popular for day tours around Arusha in the northern part of Tanzania. The national park is found in Arusha region and is among the small national parks of Tanzania covering about 137 square kilometers. Arusha national park has spectacular landscapes including a prominent volcano.
During tours around Arusha national park attractions like Mount Meru, Momella lakes, various wildlife and bird species, waterfalls and craters can be seen when exploring the national park on a safari in Tanzania.
Arusha national park can be visited for day tours and is a good place to visit when in Arusha before continuing with a safari to other destinations around the northern part of Tanzania like the famous Serengeti national park, Tarangire national park, Lake Manyara nation al park or the Ngorongoro conservation area which are much bigger in size and also home to numerous wildlife species.
Wildlife species which can be seen during safaris around Arusha national park include bushbucks, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, black and white colobus monkeys, zebras among others. Over 350 bird species are also found in Arusha national park.
When visiting Arusha national park, there are certain charges which tourists pay and these fees are set by Tanzania National Parks Authority. The entrance fees for Arusha national park below exclude 18% tax;
During safaris around Arusha national park, Nonresidents above the age of 16 years are charged park entrance fee of 50 USD and 45 USD in the low season and nonresident children aged between 5 and 15 years visiting the national park are charged park entrance fee of 15 USD.
Residents or expatriates above 16 years of age visiting Arusha national park are charged park entrance fee of 25 USD in the high or peak season and 22.5 USD in the low season and children aged between 5 and 15 years going on safari to Arusha national park are charged park entrance fee of 7.5 USD.
Tanzanians or East Africans above the age of 16 years during Tanzania safaris to Arusha national park are charged park entrance fee of 10,000 Tanzania shillings and children aged between 5 and 15 years visiting the national park are charged park entrance fee of 2,000 Tanzania shillings.
Children aged 5 years and below visiting Arusha national park during safaris in Tanzania are not charged park entrance fee.
Other fees charged during tours to Arusha national park include transport costs, accommodation costs among others.
When visiting Arusha national park, there are different attractions which can be seen and they include the following;
Mount Meru which is a major attraction in Arusha national park is also the second highest mountain in Tanzania at an altitude of 4566 meters. Climbing Mount Meru is among the activities that tourists take part in when visiting this park and the hike takes about 4 days starting from Momella gate to Miriakamba hut, then to saddle hut and the peak before descending to Momella gate. The peak of Mount Meru is known as socialist peak and Mount Meru is the 5th highest peak in Africa.
Another attraction which can be seen during safaris to Arusha national park is the Ngurdoto crater. The Ngurdoto crater is a volcanic crater surrounded by forest and various wildlife species can be seen along the crater floor.
The Momella lakes can also be seen during safaris around Arusha national park. These lakes are seven in number and they are shallow lakes which include the small Momella, the big Momella and others. Activities such as canoeing on Momella lakes and also bird watching are among the excursions also done on these lakes where birds like flamingos can be seen during safaris.
Waterfalls can also be seen during tours to Arusha national park. The waterfalls found in Arusha national park include the Tululusia waterfalls, Napuru waterfalls, Maio waterfalls and the Meru waterfalls.
A number of activities are carried out during safaris around Arusha national park include game drives, nature walks, hikes, cultural tours.
Game drives around Arusha national park can be done a different time of day including the morning and also in the afternoon. 4×4 safari vehicles are used during the game drives around the national park.
Nature walks around Arusha national park are also exciting as the park is very scenic and attractions can be seen closely with the help of a ranger guide during a walking tour around the park which brings people closer to nature.
Hiking is also carried out in Arusha national park on Mount Meru and the hikes take about 4 days.
How to get to Arusha national park
Arusha national park is located about 25 kilometers from Arusha town and a drive from Arusha town to the park takes about 40 minutes.
Visit Arusha national park and enjoy the best wildlife viewing experiences during safaris to Tanzania.
