Arusha National Park

Near Arusha City, Tanzania

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Arusha National Park, located just northeast of Arusha city in northern Tanzania, spans 552 square kilometers and features dramatic volcanic landscapes including Mount Meru, Tanzania's second-highest peak at 4,566 meters, the lush Ngurdoto Crater often called "Little Ngorongoro," and the colorful Momella Lakes teeming with flamingos and waterbirds.

Established in 1967 from earlier protections around Ngurdoto Crater, it offers a compact mosaic of montane forests, grasslands, swamps, and alkaline lakes that support diverse wildlife such as black-and-white colobus monkeys, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, elephants, and over 400 bird species including silvery-cheeked hornbills. 

Easily accessible as a day trip from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport, visitors enjoy guided walks, canoeing on the lakes, game drives, and Mount Meru treks for acclimatization before Kilimanjaro, providing intimate encounters in a less crowded safari gem.​