Arusha Safari
Arusha National Park is one of the small national parks in Tanzania. It is situated about 32km away from Arusha Town in Northern Tanzania lying against the dominating Mount Meru. It spans an area of only 552 sq km. The Park is as outstandingly beautiful as it is small and can be visited easily from the nearby town of Arusha. The highlands of this park are forested with the peak of Mount Meru rising above the forests to dominate the area. Other extraordinary attractions of the park are Ngurdoto Crater and Momella lakes.
Arusha Leopard
Mount Meru, at 4,566m above sea level can be climbed about a two or three day period. It is a steep climb on loose scree. The trekker is rewarded with amazing views of the park and the plains beyond sweeping every one of the way across the African bush towards the snow capped Mount Kilimanjaro.
Fifty percent the crater of Mount Meru was blown away sometime in the distant past and this has uncovered an impressive and fairly massive ash cone. The remainder of the crater has resulted in exposing 1,500m of vertical cliff face which tends to make for any instead abnormal and dramatic ultimate
Arusha Park Scene
trek to the summit.
Lying amongst the peaks of Kilimanjaro and Meru, Arusha National Park is exceptionally scenic, home to a wide range of habitats, form a string of crater lakes where many water birds can be watched through the highland mountain forest to the imposing summit of Mount Meru.
The forest hosts a wealth of birds. Over 400 species are found in the park. Common wildlife includes bushbuck and white colobus monkeys climbing branches. In accompaniment of an armed park ranger, it is possible to see giraffes and buffaloes in the floor up.
Arusha Safari Buffulos
A highlight of Arusha National Park safari is driving up with the cool rainforest, to your best of Ngurdoto Crater. Ngurdoto is a caldera of an extinct volcano. It is more reward to visitors to pause here and have closer looks at the remarkable black and white colobus monkeys as they sit in the branches of ancient cedar trees and groom one another and occasionally stare again at you. Listening to these monkeys bark through the forest along with the call of the horn bill is a thrilling experience. These haunting calls are genuinely African.
Ngurdoto includes a ring road that permits fantastic views down into the lush crater interior. The views on offer are beautiful – keep in mind to deliver your binoculars. The crater ground has swamps, clumps of trees and some grass land. It is so green and some time can be invested in the see points consuming within the watch. The crater is property to elephant, buffalo, baboon, reedbuck, colobus monkeys, leopard and duikers.
When you leave the forests of Ngurdoto it is achievable to get a distinct view of Mount Kilimanjaro, weather permitting.
There are picnic areas around the lakes as well as opportunities to acquire out the safari automobile and have a canoeing safari. This is an incredible approach to see the bird life and the park from a different viewpoint. Flamingoes may be seen in enormous congregations around the Momella lakes.
The highlight of any Arusha safari is a trip to the Serengeti National Park where you might catch a glimpse of a cheetah or a black rhino. An eight hour drive from Arusha, the vast plains with running ostriches and howling hyenas is a site that will take your breath away. Ngorongoro Crater is an amazing side trip while on the Serengeti, here you can travel down into the crater and view the migration of zebra, and wildebeest and perhaps stop to view a lake of pink flamingos.
Whether you are interested in a bike tour to the nearby city of Moshi, or a cultural tour of a Masai Village, Arusha is the starting place for the trip of a lifetime. In Arusha, adventure seekers can book porters to take them to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, while those interested in a more leisurely pace can book a spa treatment at a five star hotel.
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BEST ACTIVITIES
Walking Excursions; Arusha National Park is just an hour from the city but has the distinction of being one of the few parks in Tanzania that allows walking safaris.
Game Viewing; Morning game viewing in Arusha Park till time for lunch at Arusha lodge is spectacular
Bird Watching at Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crate; some migratory birds are seen between October and April, others are permanently resident in the forests.
Mount Meru hiking; standing at 4,566m is an impressive freestanding volcano to trek. Arusha trekking is often done as a warm up and acclimatisation climb for Mount Kilimanjaro. Wild animals are often found on this mountain; and because of the danger they pose, it’s recommended that trekkers are accompanied by an armed ranger.
WHERE TO STAY
There is a large selection of excellent accommodation in Arusha. The most favourite choice is River Tree Lodge located between Kilimanjaro airport and Arusha town. It is strategically situated and has a real old world style and charm. The other option is Arusha Safari Lodge.
GETTING THERE
Arusha has two airports, Arusha domestic airport, used on domestic routes by private charters and Coastal Aviation and Precision Air and Mount Kilimanjaro Airport. From Kilimanjaro airport to Moshi is about 45 mins and one and a quarter hours to Arusha. Alternatively Nairobi is only four hours away by road. You can take a private car or travel by the regular bus which costs approx. US$30.00. The journey is quite enjoyable and adventurous.
No matter what activities you choose, the warmth and hospitality of Arusha’s people who will make sure your Arusha safari won’t soon be forgotten.
