Arusha National Park, is a small lush green park located in the outskirts of Arusha City. Arusha is the base town for safaris in the Northern Tanzania safari Circuit, which includes the famous parks like Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti. Arusha National Park is often overlooked but it is indeed a hidden gem of the Northern safari circuit of Tanzania.
The park is perfect for an easy start for any long safari, due to it’s close proximity to the Arusha town and Kilimanjaro International Airport which serves as the gateway for people who want to visit Tanzania national parks. Arusha National Park is located midway between Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Arusha City center. You can start with a visit to Arusha National Park if you arrive with the morning flights or at least flights which arrive JRO by midday. With picnic lunch at the shores of the Momella Lakes before going on a walking safari in the forests, you will never regret choosing Arusha National Park.

Whether you’re seeking a thrilling day trip from Arusha to the park; a scenic start to your Tanzanian safari, or a memorable finale to your longer wildlife safari, Arusha National Park delivers an experience unlike any other. At Safari Desire, Tanzania, we’re here to show you this often forgotten gem for you. The views of both Mount Meru and the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, from this park are unbelievable!
History of Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park’s roots trace back to its establishment in 1960, when it was originally named Ngurdoto Crater National Park after its prominent volcanic caldera. In 1967, it was expanded to include Mount Meru and the Momella Lakes, adopting its current name to reflect its broader scope and growing significance.
The park’s history also carries echoes of the colonial era, with the Momella area once serving as a German farmstead before being transformed into a protected wilderness. One of the colonial residences was converted to lodge, called Hatari Lodge which is still operational to date. This evolution underscores Tanzania’s dedication to preserving its natural heritage, making Arusha National Park a living legacy of conservation efforts in the region. Tanzania’s conservation efforts are huge, and no African country can compare to Tanzania. More than 25% of Tanzania’s land mass is dedicated to wildlife conservation. The area has been growing with the creation of many wildlife management areas and concessions which are now under TAWA.
Hatari the Movie – shot at Arusha National Park
Back in 1962, a great movie called Hatari! hit the screens, starring John Wayne and showing off the wild side of East Africa. They filmed it right in Arusha National Park, back when Tanzania was still called Tanganyika; before the union with Zanzibar to become Tanzania.
It’s about these tough guys catching animals like giraffes and rhinos for zoos, and the park’s awesome scenery—like Mount Meru’s green slopes, the wide-open “Little Serengeti,” and the pretty Momella Lakes—made it look amazing. They even shot some scenes around Momella, at a farm owned by Hardy Krüger, one of the actors.
Hardy loved it so much, he stayed here for 13 years after the movie wrapped up! That’s how Hatari! put Arusha National Park on the map, giving people a peek at its beauty through a big Hollywood adventure.
Hatari!—which means “danger” in Swahili (official language in Tanzania) —really lived up to its name, and it’s still tied to Arusha National Park today. The actors didn’t mess around with stunt doubles; they chased real wild animals through the park themselves, making it feel super real.
You’ve got John Wayne dodging rhinos and elephants, all while the cameras rolled in those same spots you can visit now. It was a big deal for Tanzania, too—people saw the movie and wanted to check out the place for themselves. Plus, that catchy “Baby Elephant Walk” tune stuck in everyone’s head! Nowadays, you can even stay at Hatari Lodge near the old Momella Farm, where they’ve kept that old-school movie vibe alive. It’s like stepping into the film, mixing a bit of Hollywood fun with the real-deal safari experience you get in the park. Get in touch with our local Tanzania Safari experts for a chance to stay at Hatari Lodge during your safari in Arusha National Park.
Geography of Arusha National Park
Geographically, Arusha National Park is a compact yet striking landscape shaped by the volcanic might of Mount Meru, a stratovolcano soaring to 4,566 meters—making it Tanzania’s second-highest mountain after Kilimanjaro.
Located just 25 kilometers northeast of Arusha town, the park lies within the eastern arm of the Great Rift Valley, a tectonic wonder that defines much of East Africa. The park’s terrain is a mosaic of dense montane forests, open savannahs (the Little Serengeti), and alkaline lakes, with the Ngurdoto Crater and Momella Lakes—both products of ancient volcanic activity—adding dramatic flair.
This diverse topography, cradled in the shadow of Mount Meru, creates a microcosm of Tanzania’s wild beauty in a surprisingly small area. By road, Arusha National Park is just 40 minutes from the Arusha city center. From Kilimanjaro International Airport, you can take approximately 30 minutes to the Park’s main gate.
Why visit Arusha National Park during your Tanzania Safari
Arusha National Park may be the smallest of Tanzania Northern Circuit parks, approximately just 137 square kilometers, but its beauty and diversity rival even the most famous parks and reserves.
Often overshadowed by giants like Serengeti and Ngorongoro, this park offers something truly unique: the chance to explore the African bush on foot. As the only fully gazetted national park in Tanzania where walking safaris are permitted, Arusha National Park lets you connect with nature in a way that game drives alone can’t match. Guided by an armed ranger provided by Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), you will venture in the lush forests on the slopes of Mount Meru and get to see animals and birds at close range, an experience that you can not get in the most famous parks like the Serengeti National Park.
From the lush slopes of Mount Meru—Tanzania second-highest peak—to the shimmering Momella Lakes and the wildlife-rich plains of “Little Serengeti,” this park is a haven of natural wonders. If you wish, you can combine the walking safari with an afternoon adventure of canoeing among flamingos and gaze at the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. With these amazing options in Arusha National Park, you’ve got a safari destination that’s as scenic as it is adventurous.