Arusha National Park

Description: Often over-looked by visitors, Arusha National Park has incredible volcanic scenery, wonderful views of Mt Kilimanjaro (on clear days), a beautiful rain forest and plenty of wildlife. The main features are Ngurdoto Crater and the Momella Lakes. The Momella Lakes attract a wide variety of birds, particularly flamingos. Guests sometimes enjoy this park just as much as the Serengeti. Its close proximity to Arusha usually means that it gets put first on a Northern Parks itinerary.

Location: Northern circuit, 40 minutes outside Arusha on the way to Moshi

Things 2 Do: Game-Drives, Forest Walks, Canoeing, Mt. Meru Climb

Time: Usually 1 full day but 2 days if hiking and canoeing. Day trip from Arusha is possible.

Animals: Abundant: Zebras, Giraffes, Waterbucks, Reedbucks, Klipspringers, Hippos, Buffaloes, Hyenas, Mongooses, Dik Diks, Warthogs, Baboons and Vervet and Colobus Monkeys. Perhaps Elephants and Leopards, but no Lions or Rhinos.

Accommodations

For accommodations in the Kilimanjaro/Moshi area click here.

$
A2T Camping (public campsites)
Forest Hill Carnival Hotel
Outpost Lodge
Pamoja Expeditions Lodge
Tumaini Cottage
Venus Premier Hotel

$$
Ahadi Lodge
Ilboru Safari Lodge
Karama Lodge
Kibo Palace
Mount Meru Game Lodge and Sanctuary
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge
Planet Lodge – Arusha
Planet Lodge – Airport Location
Zawadi House

$$$
African Tulip
Arumeru River Lodge
Dik Dik Hotel
Four Points by Sheraton – The Arusha Hotel
Gran Melia Arusha
Moivaro KIA Lodge
Kigongoni Lodge
Makoa Farm
Mount Meru Hotel
Ngurdoto Lodge
Kahawa House 
Rivertrees Country Inn

$$$$
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Safari Lodge
Arusha Serena Hotel
Hamerkop House by Lemala
Hatari Lodge
Kambi ya Tembo (West Kilimanjaro)
Lake Duluti Lodge
Ndarakwai Ranch (West Kilimanjaro)
Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge
Onsea House

Top photo credit: Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge

Meg and Mike K. (USA)

July 10, 2024

“Access 2 Tanzania was absolutely amazing from day 1 of planning to our bittersweet “see you later” wave to Tanzania on our plane ride home. Casey helped my husband and I plan and execute our dream honeymoon. All we came to Access 2 Tanzania with was a rough idea of dates, a budget, and a dream of going on a safari – Casey took it from there! He worked with us to plan a great itinerary and handled every logistical detail from booking us puddle jumper flights out of the middle of the Serengeti to making sure our favorite soft drinks were stocked in our safari vehicle. Even after our itinerary was finalized, he checked in with us multiple times to answer any and every question we had and to make sure we were all set with visas, vaccinations, etc. We had the best experience ever and I would highly recommend them to anyone planning a trip to East Africa!”