Exploring Arusha National Park on Tanzania Safari
Tanzania Safari at Arusha National Park is different. It is not like the endless plains of the Serengeti or the giant crater of Ngorongoro. On a Tanzania Safari here, the park sits right outside Arusha city between Mount Meru and the Kenyan border. It was protected in 1960 and covers only 137 square kilometers, tiny by African standards. But a Tanzania Safari here gives you three landscapes in one small package. Mount Meru, the second highest peak in Tanzania, Ngurdoto Crater called "Little Ngorongoro," and the Momella Lakes that turn pink with flamingos. The best part of a Tanzania Safari here is that you can do walking safaris and canoeing, which you cannot do in most other parks. You will not see the Big Five on a Tanzania Safari here, but you will get a quiet, gentle introduction to Tanzania's wildlife without the crowds of the Serengeti.
Popular Tanzania Packages
Wildlife in Arusha National Park on Tanzania Safari
Tanzania Safari here is not about lions and elephants. On a Tanzania Safari at this park, you come for the giraffes. They are everywhere on a Tanzania Safari, poking their long necks above the acacia trees. Cape buffalo are common too on a Tanzania Safari, often in large herds near the swamps. Zebras and warthogs graze on Ngurdoto Crater's grassy slopes during a Tanzania Safari. But the real highlight of a Tanzania Safari here is the black and white colobus monkey, stunning with long white fur like a cape. Blue monkeys are also common on a Tanzania Safari, smaller and shyer. If you are lucky on a Tanzania Safari, you might see bushbucks, dik diks, or even a leopard. For the best wildlife viewing on a Tanzania Safari, aim for the dry season from June to October. Early morning is best for a Tanzania Safari. Bring binoculars and hire a local guide. They know where the monkeys hide on a Tanzania Safari.
Birding in Arusha National Park on Tanzania Safari
Tanzania Safari birders will find this place a hidden gem. On a Tanzania Safari, the park is an Important Bird Area with over 400 species recorded. The Momella Lakes are the main attraction for waterbirds during a Tanzania Safari. Lesser flamingos are the stars on a Tanzania Safari, sometimes hundreds of thousands turning the water pink. Greater flamingos are also present on a Tanzania Safari. You will also see Maccoa ducks, which are endangered, and African fish eagles on a Tanzania Safari. In the forests on Mount Meru's slopes, a Tanzania Safari offers Hartlaub's turaco, a stunning green and purple bird. Fischer's lovebird is a special treat on a Tanzania Safari. The best time for birding on a Tanzania Safari is the wet season from November to May. Early morning is best for a Tanzania Safari. Bring a spotting scope for the lakes. The variety here is incredible for such a small park.
Best Time to Visit Arusha National Park on Tanzania Safari
Tanzania Safari during the dry season from June to October is best for wildlife viewing. On a Tanzania Safari, the weather is sunny with little rain, and animals gather around water making them easier to spot. Trails are dry on a Tanzania Safari, so walking safaris are comfortable. A Tanzania Safari for climbing Mount Meru is also best now. Daytime temperatures on a Tanzania Safari are mild from 15°C to 25°C, but nights can be chilly. The wet season on a Tanzania Safari from November to May is best for birding. The landscape turns lush and green on a Tanzania Safari, and flamingos are most numerous. However, roads can get muddy on a Tanzania Safari. The wettest months are March, April, and May. For most travelers on a Tanzania Safari, the sweet spot is June through October. If you are a dedicated birder on a Tanzania Safari, aim for February or March. Pack for rain and bring layers on a Tanzania Safari.
Weather and Climate in Arusha National Park on Tanzania Safari
Tanzania Safari weather here is temperate because of the altitude. On a Tanzania Safari, the park sits at 1,300 to 2,000 meters, keeping things cooler than the lowland savannas. During the dry season on a Tanzania Safari, days are sunny and mild from 15°C to 25°C. Nights are cool on a Tanzania Safari, sometimes dropping to 10°C. The wet season on a Tanzania Safari brings warmer temperatures from 20°C to 30°C and higher humidity. Rain is common on a Tanzania Safari in March, April, and May. The biggest weather challenge on a Tanzania Safari is not heat but cold, especially if climbing Mount Meru. At the summit on a Tanzania Safari, temperatures drop below freezing. Even on a normal game drive, mornings and evenings on a Tanzania Safari require a jacket. The sun is strong at altitude on a Tanzania Safari, so a hat and sunscreen are non-negotiable.
How to Get to Arusha National Park on Tanzania Safari
Tanzania Safari travelers will find getting here easy. On a Tanzania Safari, the park is only 32 kilometers from Arusha city, about a 40-minute drive. The closest international airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport, about 60 kilometers away. Most travelers on a Tanzania Safari stay in Arusha the night before and drive to the park in the morning. A regular 2-wheel drive vehicle works fine for main roads on a Tanzania Safari. However, for the Momella Lakes loop on a Tanzania Safari, a 4x4 is better, especially in the wet season. You do not need a 4x4 for walking safaris or canoeing on a Tanzania Safari because those are guided activities. If you do not want to drive yourself on a Tanzania Safari, join a day trip from Arusha. Many tour operators handle transport, park fees, and guides for a Tanzania Safari. That is the stress-free option.
Security, Safety & Malaria in Arusha National Park on Tanzania Safari
Tanzania Safari is generally safe, and this park is no exception. On a Tanzania Safari, serious crime is rare. Keep your wallet in a front pocket in town during a Tanzania Safari. Malaria is a risk on a Tanzania Safari because the park has lakes and swamps where mosquitoes breed. Bring insect repellent with DEET on a Tanzania Safari. Wear long sleeves in the evening. Consult your doctor about malaria pills before a Tanzania Safari. When on a walking safari during a Tanzania Safari, stay close to your guide. The guide is armed and trained. Do not wander off on a Tanzania Safari. The forest can be disorienting, and there are buffalo and leopard. When on a canoe safari on a Tanzania Safari, wear your life jacket. Hippos can be dangerous. In Arusha city on a Tanzania Safari, avoid walking alone at night. Drink bottled water. The sun is strong at altitude on a Tanzania Safari, so wear sunscreen.
Accommodation In Arusha National Park on Tanzania Safari
Tanzania Safari accommodation options are plentiful. On a Tanzania Safari, the closest place to stay is Hatari Lodge, just outside the park gate. The movie Hatari with John Wayne was filmed here. It is expensive but unforgettable on a Tanzania Safari. Momella Wildlife Lodge is a more affordable option on a Tanzania Safari with simple bungalows and lake views. For budget travelers on a Tanzania Safari, stay in Arusha city. The city has everything from basic guesthouses to mid-range hotels. Many travelers on a Tanzania Safari stay in Arusha and do a day trip to the park. That is easy and comfortable. For a more authentic experience on a Tanzania Safari, you can camp at public campsites inside the park. Basic facilities, no electricity. Bring your own tent, food, and water. Book in advance for a Tanzania Safari.
Why Book with Dav Safaris for Tanzania Safari
Tanzania Safari with Dav Safaris offers reliable guided trips to Arusha National Park. On a Tanzania Safari, their local guides know the best walking safari routes, monkey hotspots, and hidden viewpoints on the Momella Lakes. A Tanzania Safari with Dav Safaris handles all logistics including transport, park fees, guides, and accommodation. You just show up with binoculars and hiking boots for a Tanzania Safari. Our itineraries are flexible on a Tanzania Safari. Want to focus on birding? They can do that. Want to climb Mount Meru on a Tanzania Safari? We can organize the multi day trek. Want a mix of walking safari, canoeing, and game drive on a Tanzania Safari? We can do that too. Dav Safaris supports local communities on a Tanzania Safari by hiring Tanzanian guides and using family run guesthouses. For a safe, stress free, unforgettable Tanzania Safari, Dav Safaris is the best choice. You focus on the flamingos and colobus monkeys. We handle everything else on a Tanzania Safari.
