Arusha National Park
Just a short journey from Arusha city, Arusha National Park offers an extraordinary introduction to Tanzania's wilderness. Forests, volcanic slopes, open grasslands, crater valleys, lakes, and highland scenery all come together in one protected landscape.
At its heart stands Mount Meru, Tanzania's second-highest mountain. Here, a safari can mean game drives, walking safaris, canoeing, birdwatching, and mountain trekking.
Discover Tanzania's Wild Highland
One park. Many ways to explore.
Arusha National Park offers an intimate wilderness experience remarkably close to Arusha city. Within a relatively compact area, travellers can explore montane forests, open savannah, volcanic craters, lakes, and the spectacular slopes of Mount Meru.
The park is especially appealing to travellers who want to experience Tanzania beyond traditional game drives. Walk through forest with an experienced guide, paddle across peaceful waters, search the plains for giraffes and buffaloes, or challenge yourself with a climb of Mount Meru.
Where every landscape tells a story
A game drive through Arusha National Park can feel completely different from the open plains of Serengeti. The journey may begin beneath towering forest trees before emerging onto open grasslands where giraffes and zebras move across the landscape.
Rising to approximately 4,566 metres, Mount Meru is Tanzania's second-highest mountain and the centrepiece of the park. Its ascent passes through changing vegetation zones, from forested lower slopes to open alpine environments closer to the summit.
Mount Meru is an excellent preparation trek for travellers planning Kilimanjaro, while offering a remarkable adventure in its own right.
Small park. Remarkable wildlife.
Arusha National Park brings together exceptional habitats, including Mount Meru, Ngurdoto Crater, Momella Lakes, montane forest, and open savannah plains.
Giraffes and zebras are often seen moving through open grasslands, creating classic East African safari scenes against Mount Meru.
Large herds of buffalo can be encountered across grasslands and woodland, while elephants may appear in forest habitats.
Forests support black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, colourful birds, raptors, flamingos, herons, and many waterbirds.
Often described as a natural amphitheatre, the crater is surrounded by forested slopes and open grasslands.
These shallow lakes attract flamingos and other waterbirds while offering views of Mount Meru.
Cool, atmospheric forest slopes provide a peaceful habitat for primates, birds, and other wildlife.
Unforgettable experiences
Explore the park by safari vehicle and search for giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, elephants, antelopes, and other wildlife.
With an experienced ranger and guide, discover plants, animal tracks, and the smaller details of the ecosystem from ground level.
Paddle across Momella Lakes while observing waterbirds and wildlife along the shoreline, with Mount Meru in the background.
Explore forest, wetlands, lakes, and open grasslands in search of forest birds, waterbirds, and raptors.
Challenge yourself with a multi-day climb to the summit of Mount Meru and experience mountain wilderness from a new perspective.
Step into the wilderness
Without the vehicle between you and the environment, you become more aware of the sounds, smells, tracks, plants, insects, and smaller creatures that are easy to miss from a safari vehicle. It is not about travelling farther. It is about seeing more.
Wilderness from the water
Glide quietly across calm waters and observe waterbirds and wildlife along the shoreline. With Mount Meru rising in the distance, canoeing combines peaceful adventure with spectacular scenery.
Discover the park throughout the year
June – October generally provides comfortable conditions for game viewing, walking, and clearer Mount Meru views. November – February brings fresh vegetation, vibrant colour, and rewarding bird activity. March – May provides lush scenery and fewer visitors, although rainfall can make some activities more challenging.
Enjoy beautiful surroundings, comfortable rooms, excellent dining, and views toward Mount Meru.
Stay in intimate properties that combine local character with personalised hospitality.
Experience comfortable accommodation close to the park and other northern Tanzania attractions.
Trekkers preparing for Mount Meru can stay around Arusha before and after their climb.
Humming Bees Voyage
Arusha National Park is an ideal short safari near the city or the first chapter of a larger Tanzania adventure. Continue to Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti, combine a Mount Meru or Kilimanjaro climb, or end your journey on the beaches of Zanzibar.
We will design your journey around the experiences you want to remember—forest walks, peaceful canoeing, Mount Meru views, wildlife encounters, and beyond.
Your Tanzania adventure begins here. Plan Your Arusha Adventure →
