You can see zebras, waterbucks, cows, elephants, hippos, and colobus monkeys in all of Arusha’s forests, plains, and rivers. You also can’t miss the giraffes peeking out from the savannahs and woodlands; the park is home to the most of these interesting long-necked animals in the world.

Mountain jungles, lush green hills, a “little Serengeti” plain, and even a small volcanic crater can all be seen in a full day in Arusha. There are also many kinds of animals and birds that you won’t see anywhere else. The lakes are home to beautiful flamingos, cormorants, kingfishers, hornbills, and birds of prey like buzzards and eagles that fly above.

Mt. Meru Is a Beautiful Volcano

And also one that is busy. With a perfect cone shape and a height of 4,565 m (14,980 ft.), Mt. Meru looks like a volcano. You can go on a tough, multi-day hike up through different ecosystems and see giraffes, elephants, antelopes, and monkeys.

Unlike its bigger cousin, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Meru’s peak is rarely covered by clouds, and from the top you can see Arusha and Kilimanjaro, among other things.

Arusha Safari Walk

Arusha is a great place for walking tours because the giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, warthogs, and dik-diks are all gentle grazers. This is something that not many parks offer. In what other place can you hike up a volcano, discover woodlands and lush forests, or follow trails that sit above a crater? Cape buffalo, monkeys, baboons, and antelope live in all of these places.

People who like safaris can even go to Serengeti Ndogo, Arusha’s own “small Serengeti,” where bushbucks, zebras, and other grasslands animals live.

Safaris by canoe

The park’s colors are made even more beautiful by the fact that each of its seven Momella lakes has a different alkaline make-up, which gives each one its own bright color difference.

Going on a boat safari on the small Momella lake is fun. You might see waterbuck, giraffe, and reedbuck along the shore. Birds like flamingos, cormorants, and kingfishers can be seen while paddling on the calm water.

The best parts of Arusha National Park

With its lush jungle and black and white colobus monkeys, the trail around Ngurdoto Crater is a great way to see the area. You won’t be able to go down into the hole, but you will be close to buffalo, baboons, warthogs, and antelope.

Reach the top of Mt. Meru. It’s not as high as Kilimanjaro, but it still takes three to four days to climb. As you go through different areas, you’ll see giraffes and other animals. From the crater rim at the top, you can see Kilimanjaro and other mountains that are very impressive.

The park’s forests, plains, and lakes are home to more than 400 kinds of birds. Look for flamingos, buzzards, and eagles, among many other birds.

A lot of people like to hike up Tululusia Hill to get great views of the park, Mt. Meru, and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Many trees cover this area, so you can camp there and see cows, monkeys, and sometimes pythons that live in trees.