arusha-national-park

Arusha National Park

Northern Tanzania

Arusha National Park

About Arusha National Park

Arusha National is located in northeastern Tanzania, about 35 km (22 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The bustling town of Arusha is often an initial destination for weary travelers who’ve just landed at JRO (Kilimanjaro Airport) after hours of travel. The town of Arusha sees loads of tourists as they pass through on their way to the parks, and it offers a wide range of lodging and dining options. There are also several good markets where people can haggle alongside locals for handmade souvenirs. Mount Meru, the second highest mountain in Tanzania at 4566 m (14,980 ft), is located in Arusha National Park. Walking and hiking safaris are possible with a ranger guide, and as one ascends the slopes of Mt. Meru, they will be afforded some stunning views of neighboring Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Arusha is a great park for those seeking outdoor activity. In addition to game drives, there is also the option to do hikes, canoeing, and mountain biking. Mount Meru receives a very small portion of visitors as most opt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. A wide variety of animals can be found in Arusha National Park, from small colobus monkeys to giraffes, hippos, and zebra. There are very few elephants here and lions are no longer found in this park. A few leopards are purported to remain in the park, but they are rarely sited.

When is the best to visit Arusha National Park?

Arusha is best visited during the dry seasons, between June and October and January through March. November and December are the short rain months and visitors may experience an occasional downpour which will then turn to clean skies. March through May is the heavy rain season and most outdoor activities will be difficult during this time of year.