Safaris: Arusha National Park
Although Arusha National Park covers only 137 square kilometers (53 square miles) this small park contains a wide variety of landscapes including Ngurdoto Crater, Momela Lakes, mountain rain forests and savannas. The entrance gate leads into a shadowy mountain forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and colourful turacos and trogons ...
Read Full Description- Destination:
- Arusha, Tanzania
- Trip Length:
- 2 days
- Price Range:
- From $0 to $2000 per person See what this includes and what this excludes
- Best Time to Go:
- Any time.
- Recommended for:
-
Infants (under 2)
Children (2 - 5)
Children (6 - 8)
Children (9 - 11)
Children (12 - 14)
Children (15 - 17)
Adults (18 - 20)
Adults (25 - 29)
Family Trip, Group Retreat
Detailed Trip Description
Although Arusha National Park covers only 137 square kilometers (53 square miles) this small park contains a wide variety of landscapes including Ngurdoto Crater, Momela Lakes, mountain rain forests and savannas. The entrance gate leads into a shadowy mountain 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. Rolling grassy hills enclose the tranquil beauty of 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. At the lakes, hippos enjoy the cool clear mountain water coming from the slopes of Mount Meru. Mount Meru - the fifth highest in Africa at 4,566 metres (14,990 feet) – dominates the park’s horizon. Its peaks and eastern footslopes protected within the national park, Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbor, Kilimanjaro, while also forming a rewarding hiking destination in its own right. Arusha National Park has been popular with film makers and is the backdrop for two films; "Hatari" made in the 1950's with John Wayne and "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" with Gregory Peck and Ava Gardener.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - 2 - Arusha
Safari at Arusha National Park.
Safari
The national park covers an area of about 137sq. km. It is located near Arusha town between the peaks of Mountains Kilimanjaro and Meru. The park and the town derive their name from Wa-Arusha people who traditionally live in this area. The Ngurdoto Crater, Momela Lakes, the highland montane forest, and the rugged Mount Meru (4575m) are the four distinctive features of the park. Although small, the park has a wealth of wildlife including colobus monkeys, velvet monkeys, bushbucks, buffaloes, red forest duikers, hippos, elephants and giraffes. Birdlife, especially waterfowl, is abundant and interesting. You can do some hiking with an armed ranger at the Ngurdoto Crater and to the Mt. Meru Crater.
Safari
You can do the following Activities during the safari:
Hiking along Ngurdoto Crater
Driving through the giant fig tree
Canoeing in Momela Lake
Climbing Mt. Meru
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