Northern Circuit
A compact park on the slopes of Mount Meru, ideal for walking safaris, canoeing and colobus monkeys.
Overview
Arusha National Park is the closest park to Arusha town and one of the most varied for its size. The Momela Lakes attract flamingos and waterbirds, the Ngurdoto Crater shelters buffalo and warthog, and the montane forest below Mount Meru is one of the best places in northern Tanzania to see black-and-white colobus monkeys. Unlike most parks, game walks and canoe safaris are allowed here, making it a gentle first day before the bigger parks.
The park covers about 137 km² across three zones: Ngurdoto Crater, the Momela Lakes and the Meru crater forest. Game drives are gentle and uncrowded, and it pairs naturally with a first or last day of a northern circuit itinerary.
Best time to visit
June to October
Getting there
Forty-five minutes by road from Arusha town, usually the first or final stop on a northern circuit route.
Highlights
Wildlife
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