What Can You Do in Arusha National Park? This beautiful Park has often been called a little gem and rightly so. It is only 30 minutes drive by tarmac road from Arusha town, the safari center of northern Tanzania. With mountains, valleys, lakes, and small plains clothed in green, it has a wonderful feeling of peace and solitude. It is dominated by Mount Meru, which at 4,566 m (14,980 ft) is the 3rd highest free-standing mountain in Africa. The park is rich in game animals that can be viewed at a very close distance and it’s an ideal place for a day trip with a variety of tourism activities like game drive, mountain climbing, walking safaris, canoeing, cycling and horse riding. However, this article presents to some detailed activities tourists to do while on a Tanzania safari in Arusha National Park. They include;
Game Drive
Arusha National Park is known for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife. With its open glades, grasslands and montane forest, the Momela lakes and fig tree arch, a game drive inside the park is inspirational to many visitors. A game drive here offers a fantastic opportunity to see animals like bushbuck, giraffe, elephant, leopard, duiker, buffalo, waterbuck and hippo. Arusha National Park is probably the best place in Tanzania to watch black and white colobus monkeys, and also to listen to their loud and guttural territorial calls echoing through the forests and various birds. The trails to Momella lakes and Ngurdoto Crater offer opportunities to see hippos in water and other animals gathering along the shores. The experienced guides will help spot these animals and share fascinating stories about them.
Walking Safari
Exploring Arusha National Park on a walking safari allows for a deeper connection to nature. Walking Safari offers unusual recreational opportunities, environmental education and sense of touch with nature and natural treasures. Currently there are six nature trails used for walking safari each with its different attractions, scenery and experiences. This experience offers an up-close look at smaller wildlife, plants, and insects that are often missed in a vehicle. You’ll learn about animal tracks and local flora, gaining insights into the ecosystem. Walking safaris allow you to truly immerse yourself in the environment, experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of the wilderness as you walk cautiously, observing animal behaviors and understanding their habitat.
Canoeing Safari
A canoeing safari are conducted on “Small Momella” (one of the seven Momella lakes). Canoeing Safari has enabled visitors to experience aspects of nature that are inaccessible during Game drive and Walking Safaris. While canoeing, one is afforded a closer watch of animals such as hippopotamus, waterbuck, occasional elephant emerging from vegetation around the lake and also a chance to explore water bird-life. From the comfort of your canoe, you can quietly glide through the water, enjoying the stunning views of Mount Meru in the background. Canoeing provides a refreshing perspective of the landscape, combining relaxation with the excitement of spotting wildlife that thrives in and around the water.
Horse Riding
Horse riding in Arusha National Park is a thrilling way to experience the outdoors. Horse riding safaris give visitors the ultimate feeling of being in the wild and closer to the wildlife. This riding provides a unique experience that differs from other tourism activities. Guided by knowledgeable instructors, you can explore the park’s trails while riding on well-trained horses. This activity offers a unique vantage point to spot wildlife, such as antelopes and various bird species, without the noise of a vehicle. Riding through the park allows you to cover more ground and enjoy the stunning scenery at a leisurely pace. This activity needs prior arrangement with the tour operator, and every guest will be expected to show an ability to ride horses
Cycling Tour
A cycling tour in Arusha National Park is an exciting adventure for those seeking a more active way to explore. This opportunity offers to explore the attractive diversity of habitats within a few hours while exploring beautiful areas giving you the ultimate wilderness experience.
Mountain Hike
Hiking in Arusha National Park offers stunning views and a rewarding workout. One of the most popular hiking safaris in thus stunning park is the hike to Mount Meru, the second highest mountain in Tanzania at a height of 4566 meters above sea level dominating Arusha national park’s horizon. This mountain is an active but currently dormant volcano, known for its steep cliffs and lush greenery at its base. Mount Meru offers unparalleled views of the steppes of the park, momella lakes and Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbing Mount Meru can be taught and demands some technical skills from those who attempt it. The trek usually takes about 3 or 4 days however it is not often climbed thus giving climbers more private experience.
Birdwatching
Arusha National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to over 400 bird species including both migratory and local bird species. The game viewing track that winds around the Momella Lakes is a great way to get close to and watch lesser and greater flamingo. During bird watching your, tourist have the chance to spot bird species such as ostrich, great crested grebe, flamingos, mourning collared dove, helmeted guineafowl, African olive pigeon, great egret, spotted thick-knee, common ringed plover, European nightjar, yellow-billed stork, crested guineafowl, great cormorant, black-headed heron, secretary birds, osprey, white-backed night heron, crested francolin, red-necked spurfowl and great white pelican among others.
Best time to visit Arusha National Park for safari activities
The best time to visit Arusha National Park for safari activities is during the dry season, from June to October. During these months, wildlife is easier to spot as animals gather around water sources, and the weather is generally pleasant, making it ideal for outdoor adventures and exploring the stunning landscapes.
Where to stay while on a safari in Arusha National Park
Lodge options in Arusha National Park ranges from budget , mid-range to luxury levels such as Arusha Coffee Lodge, Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, The African Tulip Hotel , Lake Duluti Serena Hotel , Hatari Lodge, Mvuli Hotel Arusha, L’Oasis Lodge and Restaurant Arusha, Ilboru Safari Lodge, Moyoni Lodge, Zawadi House, Palace Hotel Arusha, Lush Garden Hotel , Shu’mate Camp, Maasi Giraffe Eco Lodge, Kiota Nest, Itikoni Seasonal Cam, Momella Wildlife Lodge, Rivertrees Country Inn, African View Lodge -Arusha, Twiga Lodge among others
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about what to do in Arusha National Park and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East African Tours who offer the best tour packages while on your safari in Tanzania.
