Guide to Self Drive Arusha National Park - 4x4 Adventures

Guide to Self Drive Arusha National Park, Arusha National Park is a notable national park in Tanzania, situated in the northeastern region near Arusha town and adjacent to the Kenya-Tanzania border. The park is located 35 kilometers from Arusha city, 58 kilometers from Moshi, and 35 kilometers from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA). Arusha International Airport is situated near the second oldest national park in Tanzania, which spans an area of 552 square kilometers and features a vast array of landscapes in multiple directions. The sceneries encompass the Meru crater funnels, the Jekukumia River, and the peak of Mountain Meru to the west, the Ngurdoto crater in the southeast, characterized by savannah, and the shallow alkaline Momella lakes in the northeast.

Arusha National Park includes Mount Meru, the second-highest peak in Tanzania following Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Meru is a volcanic cone believed to have erupted 3 million years ago. The mountain reaches an elevation of 4,566 meters and features the impressive Ngurdoto Crater, a notable characteristic of Arusha National Park. Ngurdoto Crater, also referred to as the Little Ngorongoro, has a diameter of 3.2 kilometers and a depth of 300 meters. The crater is basin-shaped and characterized by steep sides adorned with dense rainforest. The crater's base is characterized by marshy grassland inhabited by buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, baboons, leopards, monkeys, and numerous bird species.

Arusha National Park, along with Lake Manyara National Park, is the second oldest park in Tanzania, established due to the efforts of Hungarian Count Teleki, who visited the Momella area in 1876. During his journey, he was captivated by the numerous hippopotamuses and black rhinoceroses in the region. In 1907, the Trappe family also visited the area and created a farm that served as a cattle ranch. Upon its designation as a national park in 1960, the farm and Ngurdoto crater were integrated into the park's territory, followed by the inclusion of the Mount Meru area in 1967. The name Arusha National Park is taken from the native Warusha people who formerly inhabited the region now designated as Arusha National Park.

In addition to its spectacular environment and physical features, Arusha National Park is home to a diverse array of mammal species and over 400 bird species. Due to its significant concentration of fauna, Arusha National Park is ranked among the six premier destinations for wildlife observation. The park is home to buffaloes, zebras, warthogs, hippos, reedbucks, duikers, bush pigs, giraffes, dik-diks, leopards, elephants, wildcats, spotted hyenas, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, among others. These creatures are optimally observed on the slopes of Mount Meru, in the dense montane woods, adjacent to Ngurdoto Museum, and around Momella lakes.

Avian population Arusha National Park hosts around 400 species, including forest species, migratory species present from November to April, woodland species, and aquatic species located along the coasts of Momella Lakes. This avian assemblage comprises flamingos, hammerkops, pelicans, white-crested tilts, African paradise flycatchers, grey-headed bush shrikes, red-billed oxpeckers, bronzy sunbirds, pied avocets, black-winged stilts, African jacanas, African spoonbills, black-headed herons, Jacobin cuckoos, Levaillant’s cuckoos, crowned eagles, yellow-billed storks, lanner falcons, southern pochards, golden eagles, red-fronted parrots, silver-checked hornbills, grey-crowned cranes, among others. One thousand six hundred ninety

Things to do in Arusha National Park

Wildlife observation

Game viewing is a notable safari activity in Arusha National Park, which hosts a plethora of large mammal species inhabiting diverse vegetation zones, including savannah grasslands, forests, and the banks of Momella Lakes. Game viewing occurs during a drive in an open-roof vehicle, where one can observe various species such waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, dik-diks, zebras, and others. The game viewing experience occurs during morning, midday, and evening game drives.

Bird observations

Arusha National Park is a significant avian habitat in Tanzania, hosting over 400 bird species, thereby rendering the birdwatching experience exceptional. This locale provides an opportunity to observe a plethora of bird species, including flamingos, hammerkops, pelicans, white-crested tilts, African paradise flycatchers, grey-headed bush shrikes, red-billed oxpeckers, bronzy sunbirds, pied avocets, black-winged stilts, African jacanas, African spoonbills, black-headed herons, Jacobin cuckoos, Levaillant’s cuckoos, crowned eagles, yellow-billed storks, lanner falcons, among others. Optimal locations for avian observation encompass the savannah grasslands, the shores of Momella Lake teeming with flamingos, and the woodland galleries situated on the slopes and base of Mount Meru.

Horseback riding

Horseback riding in Arusha National Park is an exhilarating safari experience and an environmentally sustainable method of exploration. This activity lasts between 5 to 7 hours, during which riders can appreciate picturesque views, including Mount Meru, as well as observe various wildlife such as elephants, leopards, and buffaloes. Horseback riding provides an excellent opportunity to encounter creatures like giraffes and allows for exploration of areas that are inaccessible by vehicle.

Walking Safaris

A walking safari in Arusha National Park offers an exhilarating retreat, allowing exploration of areas inaccessible by vehicle. These safaris are particularly well-suited for Ujambo Wa Mbogo, known as "the buffalo glade," characterized by marshes, shrubs, and numerous streams that serve as a feeding ground for warthogs, buffaloes, and giraffes observable in this region. Walking safaris are conducted on various paths within the park, including one that traverses beneath Mount Meru and another that follows the Ngurdoto Crater rim trail.