Arusha National Park is a perfect trip for day safaris, as it is close to both Arusha and Moshi (and Kilimanjaro International airport), with a morning or afternoon game drive accompanied by either a walking safari or canoeing in the Small Momella Lake where hippos can be seen at play.
Arusha National Park is relatively small (still a substantial 53 square miles) but offers an abundance of diverse wildlife, wonderful landscapes in the foothills of Mount Meru (altitude 4562 metres / 14,978 feet) and hiking opportunities. From breathtaking views of Mt. Kilimanjaro to the east to the more than 400 species of wildlife to be found within the park, adventure and bird lovers won’t be disappointed with all this park has to offer.
Much of Mt Meru, a dormant stratovolcano, is situated on the west side of the park and offers visitors spectacular viewpoints across to Mt. Kilimanjaro and of the park itself. The shallow alkaline and fluoride-rich Momella lakes provide excellent opportunities for bird watchers. Waterfowl share the shores with waterbuck, giraffe, and zebra herds – and flocks of thousands of flamingos turn the shorelines pink. Ngurudoto crater, a three-kilometer wide, 400 m. (1300 ft) deep crater, located in the southeast of the park has grasslands that support diverse wildlife: small herds of buffalos and warthogs are often visible from along the crater’s edge; there are black and white colobus monkeys, not to mention a plethora of bird life. Giraffe are common as are warthog, zebra and various duikers and bushbuck.