From $760 pp
3 Days Budget safari Tarangire, Arusha & Lake Manyara
3 Days 2 Night
Budget Safaris
Tarangire/Lake Manyara/Arusha Np
Overview
Arusha National Park is one of northern Tanzania’s most scenic national parks, located only about 30 minutes by road from Arusha city. The park is dominated by Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second-highest mountain at 4,566 metres, and features a remarkable combination of montane forests, open grasslands, volcanic landscapes, crater valleys, and the beautiful Momella Lakes.
The park is an excellent destination for a short safari, day trip, walking safari, birdwatching experience, or as an introduction to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. Its peaceful atmosphere and diverse landscapes make it very different from the larger savannah parks.
The park is an excellent destination for a short safari, day trip, walking safari, birdwatching experience, or as an introduction to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. Its peaceful atmosphere and diverse landscapes make it very different from the larger savannah parks.
Wildlife & Experiences
Signature Encounters
Arusha National Park supports a variety of wildlife, including:
- Giraffes
- African buffaloes
- Elephants
- Zebras
- Warthogs
- Bushbucks
- Waterbucks
- Hippos
- Baboons
- Blue monkeys
- Black-and-white colobus monkeys
- Duikers
Activities
What To Do
Game Drives
Explore the park’s forests, grasslands, lakes and wildlife viewing tracks. Game drives can provide opportunities to see giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, elephants, hippos and many other species.
Walking Safaris
Guided walking safaris provide a more intimate way to experience the forest, landscapes, plants, birds and smaller wildlife. Walks must be accompanied by an armed ranger. ​
Mount Meru Hiking
Mount Meru offers a spectacular multi-day hiking experience through different vegetation zones, including montane forests and alpine landscapes. Wildlife such as buffaloes, giraffes, monkeys and antelopes may be encountered along the route.
Canoeing
Canoeing on Small Momella Lake offers a peaceful perspective of the park, with opportunities to see waterbirds and wildlife around the lake, including buffaloes, giraffes and hippos.
Horseback Riding
Horseback safaris can be arranged through the park and offer a quiet way to explore forests, open areas and wildlife-rich landscapes. ​
Birdwatching
Arusha National Park is an excellent destination for bird enthusiasts, with more than 450 recorded bird species and particularly good opportunities around the Momella Lakes.
Explore the park’s forests, grasslands, lakes and wildlife viewing tracks. Game drives can provide opportunities to see giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, elephants, hippos and many other species.
Walking Safaris
Guided walking safaris provide a more intimate way to experience the forest, landscapes, plants, birds and smaller wildlife. Walks must be accompanied by an armed ranger. ​
Mount Meru Hiking
Mount Meru offers a spectacular multi-day hiking experience through different vegetation zones, including montane forests and alpine landscapes. Wildlife such as buffaloes, giraffes, monkeys and antelopes may be encountered along the route.
Canoeing
Canoeing on Small Momella Lake offers a peaceful perspective of the park, with opportunities to see waterbirds and wildlife around the lake, including buffaloes, giraffes and hippos.
Horseback Riding
Horseback safaris can be arranged through the park and offer a quiet way to explore forests, open areas and wildlife-rich landscapes. ​
Birdwatching
Arusha National Park is an excellent destination for bird enthusiasts, with more than 450 recorded bird species and particularly good opportunities around the Momella Lakes.
Best Time to Visit
Arusha National Park can be visited throughout the year.
June to October: Generally one of the best periods for wildlife viewing, with drier conditions and easier access to game-viewing areas.
November to February: Green landscapes, pleasant scenery and excellent birdwatching opportunities make this a rewarding period to visit.
March to May: The long rains bring lush vegetation and fewer visitors. Some tracks may become wet or muddy, but the scenery can be exceptionally beautiful.
For hiking Mount Meru, weather conditions should always be considered carefully because conditions can change with altitude.
June to October: Generally one of the best periods for wildlife viewing, with drier conditions and easier access to game-viewing areas.
November to February: Green landscapes, pleasant scenery and excellent birdwatching opportunities make this a rewarding period to visit.
March to May: The long rains bring lush vegetation and fewer visitors. Some tracks may become wet or muddy, but the scenery can be exceptionally beautiful.
For hiking Mount Meru, weather conditions should always be considered carefully because conditions can change with altitude.
Getting There
By Road
Arusha National Park is easily accessible from Arusha city and is approximately 30 minutes away by road, depending on the entrance and traffic conditions. The park is therefore ideal for a day trip or as the first destination on a northern Tanzania safari.
By Air
Visitors arriving by air can fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport and continue by road to the park. Its location between Arusha and the Kilimanjaro area makes it convenient to include in a northern Tanzania safari itinerary.
Arusha National Park is easily accessible from Arusha city and is approximately 30 minutes away by road, depending on the entrance and traffic conditions. The park is therefore ideal for a day trip or as the first destination on a northern Tanzania safari.
By Air
Visitors arriving by air can fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport and continue by road to the park. Its location between Arusha and the Kilimanjaro area makes it convenient to include in a northern Tanzania safari itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Arusha National Park from Arusha city?
The park is approximately 30 minutes from Arusha city by road.
What animals can I see in Arusha National Park?
Visitors may see giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, elephants, warthogs, bushbucks, waterbucks, hippos, monkeys and many bird species. Leopards are present but rarely seen.
Can I do a walking safari in Arusha National Park?
Yes. Guided walking safaris are one of the park’s special experiences and must be accompanied by an armed ranger.
Can I hike Mount Meru?
Yes. Mount Meru is located within Arusha National Park and offers a challenging multi-day mountain trekking experience.
Can I visit Arusha National Park for one day?
Yes. Its proximity to Arusha makes it an excellent option for a full-day safari, although longer visits allow more time for hiking and other activities.
Is Arusha National Park good for birdwatching?
Yes. The park has more than 450 recorded bird species, with Momella Lakes being particularly good for birdwatching and flamingo sightings. ​
Can I combine Arusha National Park with other Tanzania safari destinations?
Yes. Its location makes it easy to combine with destinations such as Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti as part of a northern Tanzania safari circuit.
The park is approximately 30 minutes from Arusha city by road.
What animals can I see in Arusha National Park?
Visitors may see giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, elephants, warthogs, bushbucks, waterbucks, hippos, monkeys and many bird species. Leopards are present but rarely seen.
Can I do a walking safari in Arusha National Park?
Yes. Guided walking safaris are one of the park’s special experiences and must be accompanied by an armed ranger.
Can I hike Mount Meru?
Yes. Mount Meru is located within Arusha National Park and offers a challenging multi-day mountain trekking experience.
Can I visit Arusha National Park for one day?
Yes. Its proximity to Arusha makes it an excellent option for a full-day safari, although longer visits allow more time for hiking and other activities.
Is Arusha National Park good for birdwatching?
Yes. The park has more than 450 recorded bird species, with Momella Lakes being particularly good for birdwatching and flamingo sightings. ​
Can I combine Arusha National Park with other Tanzania safari destinations?
Yes. Its location makes it easy to combine with destinations such as Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti as part of a northern Tanzania safari circuit.
Tailor-Made Journeys
Arusha National Park Safari Packages
Discover hand-crafted private safari itineraries featuring Arusha National Park and premier Northern Tanzania wildlife destinations.
Plan Your Arusha National Park Safari
Let our experts design your perfect, bespoke private journey to this iconic landscape.
Request a Free Quote
