The nearest national park to Arusha town – northern Tanzania’s safari capital – Arusha National Park is a multi-faceted gem, frequently ignored by safari goers, notwithstanding the fact that it offers the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats within a few hours.
The park’s entrance gate leads into shadowy montane timberland possessed by curious blue monkeys and brilliant turacos and trogons – the main place on the northern safari circuit where the aerobatic highly contrasting colobus monkey is effectively seen. Amidst the woods stands the dynamite Ngurdoto Crater, whose precarious, rough bluffs encase a wide muddy floor spotted with groups of wild ox and warthog.
Further north, moving green slopes encase the serene magnificence of the Momela Lakes, every one an alternate tint of green or blue. Their shallows here and there tinged pink with a large number of flamingos, the lakes bolster a rich determination of occupant and vagrant waterfowl, and shaggy waterbucks show their huge lyre-formed horns on the watery edges. Giraffes float over the lush slopes, between touching zebra groups, while sets of wide-looked at dik-dik dart into inadequate shrub like congested rabbits on spindly legs.
In spite of the fact that elephants are not common in Arusha National Park, and lions absent altogether , spotted hyenas and leopards may be seen sneaking around in the early morning and late evening. It is likewise at nightfall and day break that the cloak of cloud on the eastern skyline is destined to clear, uncovering the lofty snow-capped crests of Mt. Kilimanjaro, just 50km (30 miles) away.
It is however Mt. Kilimanjaro’s unassuming cousin, Mount Meru – the second highest mountain in Tanzania and fifth in Africa that dominates Arusha National Park’s horizon. The peaks and eastern footslopes of Mt. Meru are protected within the national park.Mount Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbour, while also forming a rewarding hiking destination in its own rights. Mt. Meru stands at 4,566 meters (14,990 feet)
Going first through lush savannah where buffaloes and giraffes are often spotted, the rising of Meru leads into timberlands ablaze with intensely hot pokers and trickling with Spanish moss, before coming to high open heath spiked with titan lobelias. Everlasting blossoms stick to the elevated desert, as carefully hoofed klipspringers check the trek’s advancement. With on leg on each side of the rocky summit, Kilimanjaro stands divulged, becoming flushed in the day break.
About Arusha National Park
Size: 552 sq km 212 sq miles).
Area: Northern Tanzania, upper east of Arusha town..
Getting There
A short 40-minute drive from Arusha town. Pretty nearly 60 km (35 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Ngurdoto Crater, the lakes and the forest can all be visited in a half day tour before or after a northern Tanzania safari.
NOTE: Mountain Climbing Permits length of time is 12 HOURS.
What to do
Woods strolls, various excursion destinations;
three- or four-day Mt Meru climb – great acclimatization for Kilimanjaro.
At the point when to go
To climb Mt Meru, June-February in spite of the fact that it may rain in November.
Best perspectives of Kilimanjaro December-February.
Accommodation
Two hotels, two rest houses, campgrounds, two mountain cabins inside the recreation center; more hotels at Usa River outside the recreation center and numerous lodgings and inns in