Arusha National Park | Closest park to Arusha City

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.

Momella Lakes Arusha National Park — Beautiful Flamingoes at Momella Lakes, 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.

The Wildlife of Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is a sanctuary for an impressive array of wildlife, thriving across its varied habitats of forests, grasslands, and wetlands. While the park lacks the Big Five predators like lions and leopards, it compensates with a rich cast of herbivores and smaller mammals.

Animals like towering Masai giraffes roam the plains, with perfect photography opportunity of capturing these long necked giants against the backdrop of Mount Meru. Many other animals roam freely in the Arusha National Park, including buffaloes, zebras, duikers, dik diks, herds of buffaloes, and many other. Monkeys, including black-and-white colobus (locally called Mbega) and blue monkeys, swing through the trees, adding a playful energy to this vibrant ecosystem.

Elephants occasionally wander through the forests, and bush pigs root around in the undergrowth. Smaller antelopes like reedbucks and the elusive duiker dart through the bush, joined by warthogs and waterbucks.

Birds in Arusha National Park.

The park’s birdlife is equally spectacular, with over 400 species recorded—most notably the flamingos that paint the Momella Lakes pink. With such an impressive number of bird species and availability of walking safaris, Arusha National Park is one of the must visit for bird lovers seeking the best bird watching safaris in Tanzania.

Flamingoes in Arusha National Park

Animals in Arusha National Park

Below is a table of common and rare animals in Arusha National Park.

Animal	Description
Masai Giraffe	Tall, elegant browsers often seen munching acacia leaves in open areas.
African Buffalo	Large, strong herds roam grasslands and forests, often near water sources.
Common Zebra	Striking black-and-white grazers, common in “Little Serengeti.”
Elephant	Majestic giants occasionally spotted in forested zones, less common here.
Leopard	Elusive cats, rare sightings in forests and along Mount Meru slopes.
Spotted Hyena	Stealthy scavengers, more active at dawn or dusk, rarely seen.
Warthog	Tusked foragers with a quirky look, often seen digging in grasslands.
Bushbuck	Shy antelope with spiral horns, thriving in the park’s dense forests.
Waterbuck	Robust antelope with a musky scent, found near lakes and water sources.
Reedbuck	Graceful antelope hiding in grassy areas, quick to bolt when spotted.
Harvey’s Red Duiker	Small, reddish antelope favoring thick forest cover. Very hard to spot.
Suni	Smallest antelope, secretive and swift.
Kirk’s Dik-Dik	Petite antelope with big eyes, often seen in pairs in scrubby bush.
Black-and-White Colobus	Acrobatic monkeys with flowing white tails, swinging through forest trees.
Blue Monkey	Curious primates with a bluish tint, active in the forest canopy.
Olive Baboon	Social, noisy troops foraging in open areas and forests alike.
Bush Pig	Nocturnal hogs rooting around in the underbrush, rarely seen by day.
Hippopotamus	Bulky water-lovers, spotted lounging in Momella Lakes or nearby rivers.
Serval	Sleek, spotted cats hunting in tall grass, a rare but thrilling find.
African Wild Cat	Small, fierce felines prowling the park’s quieter corners, seldom seen.

Birds in Arusha National Park

Below is a table of common and rare birds found in the Arusha National Park.

Bird	Description
Greater Flamingo	Tall, pink waders flocking to Momella Lakes, a dazzling sight in big groups.
Lesser Flamingo	Smaller flamingos adding to the lakes’ pink hues, often mixed with greater ones.
African Fish Eagle	Majestic raptor with a white head, soaring over lakes and snagging fish.
Crowned Eagle	Fierce forest predator, rare but awe-inspiring with its powerful build.
Verreaux’s Eagle	Cliff-loving raptor, often seen gliding above Ngurdoto Crater’s rim.
Augur Buzzard	Bold hawk with a striking red tail, perched high or circling overhead.
Hartlaub’s Turaco	Vibrant green bird with a red crest, hopping through forest branches.
Silvery-Cheeked Hornbill	Large, noisy bird with a massive beak, a forest standout.
Narina Trogon	Shy, colorful gem with a green back and red belly, hiding in the trees.
Bar-Tailed Trogon	Another forest beauty, with a yellow belly and distinctive tail bars.
Grey Crowned Crane	Elegant bird with a golden crown, strutting in open grassy areas.
Kori Bustard	Huge, heavy bird stalking the plains, one of Africa’s biggest flyers.
Secretary Bird	Long-legged hunter stomping prey in the grasslands, a unique sight.
Lilac-Breasted Roller	Flashy bird with bright blue wings, perching boldly along trails.
Little Egret	Small, white heron wading in lake shallows, quick and graceful.
Great White Pelican	Massive waterbird gliding over Momella Lakes, scooping up fish.
Hamerkop	Odd, hammer-headed bird building giant nests near water.
Egyptian Goose	Noisy waterfowl with a brown eye patch, common around lakes.
White-Faced Whistling Duck	Sociable duck with a high-pitched call, paddling in lake groups.
African Green Pigeon	Bright green fruit-eater, blending into the forest canopy.

Top Experiences in Arusha National Park

Walking Safaris: Feel the Pulse of the Wild

Imagine stepping out of your safari vehicle and into the wild, accompanied by an armed ranger who knows every trail and track in this beautiful park. Arusha National Park’s walking safaris take you through diverse landscapes—from the forested slopes of Mount Meru to the rim of Ngurdoto Crater, a volcanic caldera fondly refered as the “mini Ngorongoro.”

Along the way, you might encounter towering Masai giraffes, elusive bushbucks, or even a herd of buffalo grazing in the distance. This intimate, boots-on-the-ground experience is a rare treat in Tanzania’s national parks.

Safari Game Drives:

For those who prefer the classic safari experience, game drives in Arusha National Park deliver plenty of excitement. The park’s “Little Serengeti” is a standout—a small plain teeming with zebras, waterbucks, and warthogs, all grazing together in harmony.

The proximity of the animals here makes for incredible photo opportunities and a front-row seat to Tanzania’s wildlife spectacle. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants and warthogs, too—the park’s dense forests and open plains are full of surprises.

Canoeing on Momella Lakes

The Momella Lakes, is a series of shallow alkaline lakes in the heart of Arusha National Park. These are a vibrant splash of color against the park’s green backdrop, and a perfect spot for great photos for both the avid and professional photographers.

The Momella lakes Famous for their flocks of pink flamingos. These lakes also attract an array of aquatic birds, from pelicans to kingfishers.

Canoeing in the Momela Lakes, is one of the famous activities in this park. You can inform your safari expert in Tanzania if you wish to add this to your bucket list.

Climbing Mount Meru

Mount Meru Arusha National Park For adventure seekers, climbing Mount Meru is a highlight of Arusha National Park. Standing at 4,566 meters, this dormant volcano is Tanzania’s second-highest peak and offers a challenging yet rewarding multi-day trek. The trek typically takes 3 to 4 days depending on your fitness level and budget. Mount Meru climb includes overnight stays in well-maintained huts like Miriakamba and Saddle, guided by experienced rangers and porters.

The trek is regarded by hiking enthusiasts as an ideal warm-up for Kilimanjaro or a standalone adventure for those who prefer less-crowded peaks.

The ascent begins in lush montane forests, where you’ll spot many black-and-white colobus monkeys and ancient fig trees, before transitioning to heather-covered moorlands and dramatic alpine deserts. The summit, known as Socialist Peak, rewards climbers with panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the sprawling plains below.

Check out our page on Mount Meru Climbing.

Best Time to Visit Arusha National Park

The dry season (June to October) is the best time to visit Arusha National Park for wildlife viewing and for climbing Mount Meru. During this animals grasses are shorter, animals congregate around water sources, and the skies are clear for those iconic Kilimanjaro views.

The wet season (November to May) brings lush greenery and fewer visitors, plus a chance to see migratory birds at Momella Lakes. No matter the season, Safari Desire, Tanzania can tailor your trip for the ultimate experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How far is Arusha National Park from Arusha town?

A: The park is just 25 kilometers (about 45 minutes) from Arusha town, making it an easy day trip destination. You can visit the park straight after leaving Kilimanjaro International Airport, in case you arrive with a an early flight before one in the afternoon.

Q: Can you see the Big Five in Arusha National Park?

A: No, the park doesn’t have lions, leopards, or rhinos, but it’s rich in other wildlife like giraffes, buffalo, and elephants. The two members of the African big five found in Arusha National Park are the elephants and the bufalloes.

Q: Is walking in Arusha National Park safe?

A: Yes, they are very safe! Walking safaris are conducted with armed rangers who are trained to ensure your safety. Listen to the ranger at all times during your walking safari.

Q: What should I bring for a day trip to Arusha National Park?

A: Pack comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, binoculars, a camera, and plenty of water. Carry packed lunch if doing a full day and enjoy picnic lunch at the shores of the beautiful Momella Lakes.

Q: Can I combine Arusha National Park with other Tanzania safaris?

A: Absolutely! It’s a perfect add-on to a longer safari in Northern Tanzania, that includes the other famous parks like Serengeti, Ngorongoro, or Tarangire. Ask our experts for free customization your Tanzania safari itinerary.