Arusha National Park is a protected natural area in northern Tanzania, located 25 km from the city of Arusha and 35 km from Kilimanjaro Airport. Although it is one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania, it is one of the most beautiful and scenically diverse on the northern circuit. In fact, three main areas can be distinguished: the Ngurdoto Crater, the Momella Lakes and Mount Meru. The wildlife in the park is very abundant but, due to poaching, neither lions nor rhinoceroses are present anymore. In addition to game drives, the park offers canoe safaris on the Momella Lakes and walking safaris to the base of Mount Meru or to the rim of the Ngurdoto Crater, where on a clear day, a spectacular view of Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen.
Ngurdoto Crater
Ngurdoto Crater, often called Little Ngorongoro, is famous for its spectacular basin-shaped caldera. The caldera, about 3 km wide, is characterised by very steep walls covered by dense riverine forest and a swampy floor. Inside the crater live buffalos, elephants, warthogs, some antelopes, monkeys, baboons, spotted hyenas, leopards and many bird species.
Momella Lakes
The seven small Momella Lakes, fed mainly by underground streams, were formed following a violent eruption of Mount Meru some 6000 years ago. The shallow, high alkaline waters attract many migratory and resident bird species, in particular pink flamingos. In addition, many species of antelopes, giraffes and zebras graze around these lakes.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru is an active stratovolcano in Tanzania. At 4,566 metres above sea level, it is the second highest mountain in Tanzania and offers a good opportunity to explore the mountain habitats, which are characterised by a very distinctive flora and fauna that is different from that observed in the lowlands. The hike to Mount Meru is also often used to acclimatise before tackling the ascent of Kilimanjaro.
