Arusha National Park: A Scenic Gem

A green jewel and home to the fourth highest mountain in Africa – Mount Meru (4,566 m). Anyone visiting this park will be thrilled by the breathtaking landscapes ranging from the Meru Crater in the west, the Ngurdoto Crater in the south-east to the grasslands and of course the alkaline Momella lakes in the north-east.”

Arusha National Park is the closest national park to Arusha town, located 5 km from town and 35 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The park is one of the smallest but most diverse national parks in Tanzania. It has a wide range of vegetation – the slopes of Ngurdoto Crater are covered with rainforest, swamps and lush savannah at moorland on the slopes of Meru Mountain.

The atmosphere in Arusha National Park is magical. The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and colourful turacos and trogons – the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen. In the middle of the forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, whose steep, rocky cliffs dotted with herds of buffalo and warthog.

Further north, rolling grassy hills enclose the tranquil beauty of the Momela Lakes, each one a different hue of green or blue. Their shallows sometimes tinged pink with thousands of scrubby bushes like overgrown hares on spindly legs. More than 400 species of bird, both migrant and resident, can be found in Arusha National Park. The rewarding climb up Mount Meru passes through forests of dripping Spanish moss, carpeted with clover and rises to open heath, spiked with giant lobelia plants. Delicate klipspringer antelope watch the progress of hikers from the top of huge boulders, and alpine desert underfoot. Once astride the craggy summit, the reward is a sight of Mount Kilimanjaro, breath-taking in the sunrise. Although elephants are uncommon in Arusha National Park and lions absent altogether, leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen slinking around in the early morning and lurking next to waterfalls in the shadowy forest

• Si e s ilometres m s miles mi • ocation orthern an ania northeast of

Arusha town at the foot of Mount Meru. • Scenery: eau ful ie s of ount eru ount iliman aro an the ur oto rater

Abundant wildlife, spectacular waterfalls, and the shallow, alkaline Momela Lakes hi h a ra t a i e variet of a er bir s ar ularl amin os • Features Mount Meru, lakes, craters, forests and waterfalls • Wildlife: le hant i o ira e la an hite olobus mon e s u alo ushbu

Waterbuck, Dikdik, the Red Forest Duiker, and many more.

in the late evenings. It is also at dusk and dawn that the veil of cloud on the eastern horizon is most likely to clear, revealing the majestic snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro, only 50 km (30 mi) away. But it is Kilimanjaro’s unassuming cousin, Mount Meru, the 4,566 metres (14,990 feet) that dominates the park’s horizon. Its peaks and eastern foot slopes protected within the national park, Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbour, while also forming a rewarding hiking destination in its own right.

Birding in Arusha National Park Almost 400 species of birds have been recorded in the park. Some of them are migratory and only present between October and April, others are permanent residents. Especially the Momela lakes are a great place for bird watching, which host a large concentration of waterbirds, including flamingos. There is also a variety of raptors, which hide in the forested areas of Mount Meru.

Activities in Arusha National Park You won’t be disappointed to have a few days’ safari in Arusha National Park. This park is ideal for a day tour/game drive, which can be combined with walking excursions or acclimatization before climbing Kilimanjaro. It takes about two days to reach Mariakamba Hut and about four days to reach the top of Mount Meru. Moreover, visitors can participate in cultural interaction with Maasai tribesmen of Mkuru Village.

An easy 40-minute drive from Arusha. Approximately 60 km (35 mi) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari.

The best time to visit Arusha National Park is during the dry

season from July-November, or after the short rains from December-March. The best months to climb Meru are June-February, with the best views of Mount Kilimanjaro seen from DecemberFebruary. The park lies just 25 km east of Arusha, and is ideal for a rewarding day trip from Arusha or Moshi.

Whether visitors decide to Park, there are a wide variety of accommodation options available, including Arusha Serena Hotel, Resort & Spa, The Original Maasai Lodge, Hatari Lodge, and Park Kambi ya Tembo within Arusha as well as Karama Lodge, Kigongoni Lodge, Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge, and Mount Meru Game Lodge outside Arusha. Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, Novotel Mount Meru and Rivertrees Country Inn are other options. You can experience a fascinating combination of natural beauty and wildlife by contacting: • Roy Safaris Ltd - • M: +255 787 244 287 • E: enquiries@roy-safaris.com • Fox Safari Camp – • M: +255 754 237422, • E: fox@tanzaniasafaris.info • Coastal Holidays– • M: +255 787 232 747, • E: safari@coastalholidays.co.tz • Auric Air – M: +255 784 749 769,

E: auric@auricair.com