Arusha National Park
Although one of Tanzania’s smallest parks covering an area of 137 square km, Arusha National Park is said to be one of the most beautiful and topographically varied park with its altitude ranging from 1500m to over 4500m. The park is the closest national park to Arusha town and covers a total area of 552 sq km. It is located in the Northern Tanzania, northeast of Arusha town.
The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and colorful 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 warthogs. The Momella lakes, Mt. Meru (Tanzania’s second tallest mountain standing at 4566m/14,980ft) and the Ngurdoro crater, are the three prominent features of this park. 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 distant.
Although Arusha national park is often over looked by most tourists visiting northern Tanzania, this park offers a lot in its varied terrain and concentration of wild animals and birds.
More that 400 species of birds, both migrant and resident can be found in Arusha National Park along side rare primates such as the black & white colobus monkeys. The kind of animals found there include all sorts of antelopes, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, baboons, colobus monkeys giraffes, rhinos, elephants and hippopotamus.
On a clear day, both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru can be spotted from the park.
Accommodation
1. Ngongongare Campsite
2. Campsite No 1, No 2, No 3
3. Momela Wildlife Lodge
4. Hatari Lodge African
5. Nasula Campsite