A small park with a big personality — game drives, a walking safari and the Momella Lakes, all beneath the slopes of Mount Meru.
Arusha National Park lies just outside Arusha, between the slopes of Mount Meru and the Ngurdoto Crater, which makes it one of the easiest parks in Tanzania to visit in a day. Its landscapes change quickly: open glades where giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and warthogs graze; montane forest where black-and-white colobus monkeys leap through the canopy; and the alkaline Momella Lakes, often dotted with flamingos and waterbirds. On clear days, Kilimanjaro rises on the horizon.
Your day combines a game drive in a private 4x4 safari vehicle with a guided walking safari — one of the few chances in northern Tanzania to explore on foot. The walk is led by an armed park ranger and usually lasts around two hours through grassland and forest, bringing you closer to the smaller details of the bush: tracks, birds, plants and insects. You also visit viewpoints over the Ngurdoto Crater, a protected caldera, and can add a canoe safari on the Small Momella Lake where available.
The park is not home to the big predators of the Serengeti, but its variety, peaceful atmosphere and short travel time make it ideal for an arrival day, a rest day between longer safaris or a first taste of Tanzania’s wildlife. It is also perfect for travellers preparing to climb Mount Meru or Kilimanjaro.
Open glades of giraffes, zebras and buffaloes with the mountain behind.
Explore on foot with an armed park ranger.
Black-and-white colobus in the montane forest canopy.
Alkaline lakes with flamingos and waterbirds, depending on season.
Viewpoints over a protected, forested caldera.
Drive about 45 minutes to the Ngurdoto or Momella entrance of the park.
Explore the glades and forest, with a stop at the Ngurdoto Crater viewpoints.
Set out on foot with an armed ranger for about two hours through grassland and forest.
Lunch at a picnic site with views of Mount Meru or the lakes.
Game drive around the lakes; add a canoe safari on the Small Momella Lake where available.
Leave the park and drive back to your hotel.
Per person in US dollars. The more travellers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Just your party, with your own guide and vehicle — set your own pace and start time.
Indicative per-person prices in US dollars for a private experience with your own guide and vehicle. Your final price depends on your date, group size and pick-up point, and is always confirmed in writing before you book.
Prices are per adult for a private group of one, two, four or six travellers. Larger groups are quoted on request.
Pick-up and drop-off at hotels in Arusha are included. Pick-ups from Moshi, Kilimanjaro Airport or lodges outside town are quoted on request.
Arusha National Park entry, vehicle and walking-safari ranger fees are included at current rates. Official changes can affect the final price.
Reduced rates apply for children; ages and any minimum age are confirmed with your quote.
Canoeing on the Small Momella Lake is an optional extra, subject to availability and water levels.
Rain, road or park conditions can change the order or timing of the day. Your guide always adjusts the plan with safety first.
Availability, pick-up time and the final price are confirmed in writing before you pay.
Pair this experience with another on the same day or during your stay — we arrange the timing and transfers.
Climb Tanzania’s second-highest peak through the same park in three or four days.
3–4 daysDiscover →Markets, coffee and the cultural heritage centre on another day.
Half dayDiscover →Elephants and baobabs in one of Tanzania’s great parks.
Full dayDiscover →
This experience fits naturally into these itineraries — ask us to add it to your quote.
Mount Meru
Tanzania’s second-highest mountain in three days: wildlife on the lower slopes, montane forest, a dramatic crater rim and Socialist Peak.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru at a balanced pace: wildlife, montane forest, a sunrise summit on Socialist Peak and a second night at Miriakamba Hut.
Wildlife safari
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Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara in three days — elephants and baobabs, a full crater morning and Rift Valley forests.
Day journey
Tarangire National Park
Ancient baobabs, the Tarangire River and some of northern Tanzania’s largest elephant herds, on a full-day private safari from Arusha.
Day journey
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Descend into the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera for a full day among lions, buffaloes, zebras, flamingos and, with luck, black rhi…
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Siha District, western Kilimanjaro
Meet giraffes, zebras and rescued animals at Serval Wildlife, a conservation sanctuary in Siha on the western slopes of Kilimanjaro.
Yes — it offers a walking safari, forest, lakes and mountain views within an hour of Arusha.
Not all of them. Buffaloes and elephants are present, but the park is better known for giraffes, colobus monkeys and birdlife than for big cats.
Walks are led by an armed park ranger who follows park safety rules; please follow their instructions at all times.
Yes — Mount Meru lies inside the park, and a day safari is a good way to start or finish a climb.
Tell us your date, group size and where you’re staying — our team will confirm availability, pick-up time and your final price within 24 hours.
