Arusha National Park
The closest national park to Arusha town – northern Tanzania’s
safari capital – Arusha
National Park is a multi-faceted jewel, often overlooked by safarigoers,
despite offering the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats
within a few hours.
The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by
inquisitive blue monkeys and colourful turacos and trogons – the only
place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey
is easily seen. In the midst of the forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater,
whose steep, rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalo
and warthog.
Further north, rolling grassy hills enclose the tranquil beauty of the Momela Lakes,
each one a different hue of green or blue. Their shallows sometimes tinged pink
with thousands of flamingos, the lakes support a rich selection of resident and
migrant waterfowl, and shaggy waterbucks display their large lyre-shaped
horns on the watery fringes. Giraffes glide across the grassy hills, between
grazing zebra herds, while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart into scrubby bush like
overgrown hares on spindly legs.
Although elephants are uncommon in Arusha National Park, and lions absent altogether,
leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen slinking around in the early morning
and late afternoon. It is also at dusk and dawn that the veil of cloud on the
eastern horizon is most likely to clear, revealing the majestic snow-capped
peaks of Kilimanjaro, only 50km (30 miles) distant.
But it is Kilimanjaro’s unassuming cousin, Mount Meru - the fifth highest in
Africa at 4,566 metres (14,990 feet) – that dominates the park’s horizon.
Its peaks and eastern footslopes protected within the national park, Meru offers
unparalleled views of its famous neighbour, while also forming a rewarding
hiking destination in its own right.
Passing first through wooded savannah where buffalos
and giraffes are frequently encountered, the ascent of Meru leads into
forests aflame with red-hot pokers and dripping with Spanish moss,
before reaching high open heath spiked with giant lobelias. Everlasting
flowers cling to the alpine desert, as delicately-hoofed klipspringers mark the
hike’s progress. Astride the craggy summit, Kilimanjaro stands unveiled,
blushing in the sunrise.
About Arusha National Park
Size: 552 sq km 212 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, northeast of Arusha town..
Getting there
An easy 40-minute drive from Arusha. Approximately 60 km (35 miles)
from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can
all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an
extended northern safari.
NOTE: Mountain Climbing Permits duration time is 12 HOURS.
What to do
Forest walks, numerous picnic sites;
three- or four-day Mt Meru climb - good acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro.
When to go
To climb Mt Meru, June-February although it may rain in November.
Best views of Kilimanjaro December-February.
Accommodation
Two lodges, two rest houses, camp sites, two mountain hut
inside the park., more lodges at Usa River outside the park and
many hotels and hostels in Arusha town.
National Park is a multi-faceted jewel, often overlooked by safarigoers,
despite offering the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats
within a few hours.
The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by
inquisitive blue monkeys and colourful turacos and trogons – the only
place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey
is easily seen. In the midst of the forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater,
whose steep, rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalo
and warthog.
Further north, rolling grassy hills enclose the tranquil beauty of the Momela Lakes,
each one a different hue of green or blue. Their shallows sometimes tinged pink
with thousands of flamingos, the lakes support a rich selection of resident and
migrant waterfowl, and shaggy waterbucks display their large lyre-shaped
horns on the watery fringes. Giraffes glide across the grassy hills, between
grazing zebra herds, while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart into scrubby bush like
overgrown hares on spindly legs.
Although elephants are uncommon in Arusha National Park, and lions absent altogether,
leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen slinking around in the early morning
and late afternoon. It is also at dusk and dawn that the veil of cloud on the
eastern horizon is most likely to clear, revealing the majestic snow-capped
peaks of Kilimanjaro, only 50km (30 miles) distant.
But it is Kilimanjaro’s unassuming cousin, Mount Meru - the fifth highest in
Africa at 4,566 metres (14,990 feet) – that dominates the park’s horizon.
Its peaks and eastern footslopes protected within the national park, Meru offers
unparalleled views of its famous neighbour, while also forming a rewarding
hiking destination in its own right.
Passing first through wooded savannah where buffalos
and giraffes are frequently encountered, the ascent of Meru leads into
forests aflame with red-hot pokers and dripping with Spanish moss,
before reaching high open heath spiked with giant lobelias. Everlasting
flowers cling to the alpine desert, as delicately-hoofed klipspringers mark the
hike’s progress. Astride the craggy summit, Kilimanjaro stands unveiled,
blushing in the sunrise.
About Arusha National Park
Size: 552 sq km 212 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, northeast of Arusha town..
Getting there
An easy 40-minute drive from Arusha. Approximately 60 km (35 miles)
from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can
all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an
extended northern safari.
NOTE: Mountain Climbing Permits duration time is 12 HOURS.
What to do
Forest walks, numerous picnic sites;
three- or four-day Mt Meru climb - good acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro.
When to go
To climb Mt Meru, June-February although it may rain in November.
Best views of Kilimanjaro December-February.
Accommodation
Two lodges, two rest houses, camp sites, two mountain hut
inside the park., more lodges at Usa River outside the park and
many hotels and hostels in Arusha town.
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