Gallery
Scenes From Arusha National Park
Extraordinary African Safaris
Crater forests, the Momella Lakes, and giraffe on foot — a remarkably varied park just 45 minutes from town, and Tanzania's best walking-safari day trip.
Most safaris start with a wasted day — arrival, jet lag, waiting. Arusha National Park fixes that. Just 45 minutes from Arusha city, this compact 552 km² park packs crater forest, alkaline lakes, and the slopes of Mount Meru into a single, gloriously varied day.
Because the park has no resident lion prides and only shy leopards, it is one of the few places in northern Tanzania where you can leave the vehicle: guided walking safaris bring you within respectful distance of giraffe, zebra, and buffalo, and canoe trips paddle the Small Momella Lake past hippo and waterbuck.
The scenery shifts constantly — the jungle-clad Ngurdoto Crater (a ‘mini Ngorongoro’), the multi-hued Momella Lakes with their flamingo flocks, and montane forest alive with black-and-white colobus monkeys. On clear mornings both Meru and Kilimanjaro show themselves.
Ngurdoto Crater: rim viewpoints over a swampy, buffalo-dotted caldera floor (no vehicle descent — it stays pristine). Momella Lakes: seven shallow alkaline lakes, each a different shade, with flamingo and pelican. Meru slopes: forest, waterfalls, and the start of the Mount Meru trek. Serengeti Ndogo: the open ‘little Serengeti’ grassland near the gate, busy with zebra and warthog.
“Walking beside wild giraffe an hour after leaving our Arusha hotel was surreal. The perfect warm-up day before the big parks.” — Guest review, TripAdvisor
Crisp air, reliable trails, and the clearest Kilimanjaro and Meru views of the year. Ideal walking-safari conditions.
Best overallQuick showers keep the forest green and waterfalls full. Flamingo numbers on the lakes often rise.
Best shoulder seasonWarm, mostly dry days between the rains — great light for photography and comfortable canoeing temperatures.
Best for photographyThe forest is dramatic in the mist but trails get muddy and views close in. Lowest visitor numbers of the year.
Quietest months
This four-day route combines northern Tanzania’s wildlife with a properly hosted cultural day in and around…
This is I Artist Adventure’s core five-day private safari: enough time for two Serengeti nights without…
Contact us now — we are always here to help with honest, expert advice at no cost.
Tell us about your dream trip and our Tanzania safari specialists will get back to you within 24 hours with a personalised itinerary and no-obligation quote.
A short planning brief gives our team enough context to suggest the right parks, route, pace and accommodation level.