Arusha National Park

The Park embraces an area of approximately 52 square kilometres only and is remarkable for its range of habitats; a miniature volcanic crater, highland rain forest, Acacia woodland and a string of crater lakes. It is also of interest because of its varied bird life, flora, small mammals and monkeys that can, in some areas, be encountered from the privileged perspective of a ‘foot safari.’

The Park is also reputed to have the highest density of giraffe on Earth with Elephant, Hippo, Leopard, Bushbuck, Zebra, Hyena, Warthog, Duiker and Buffalo also being represented there. Although until recently it was believed that the Park was devoid of Lions, recent evidence suggests that a pair may have wandered in from the uninhabited North.

The Park has three distinct zones which form the principal points of interest to visitors.

The Momela Lakes are a cluster of shallow alkaline lakes to the East of the park which attract seasonal flocks of flamingo and migrant birds. The algae and mineral content of the lakes causes them to change colour at certain times of the year.

Ngurdoto is a small crater measuring approximately 6 square kilometres and is home to a resident group of wildlife. The Crater is inaccessible by vehicle but several viewpoints dotted around the rim afford excellent views of the congregated wildlife within its confines as well as sweeping vistas to Mount Kilimanjaro.

The majority of visitors to the park however come to climb or simply conduct a ‘walking safari’ on Mount Meru. At 15,000 feet, Meru is the second highest peak in Tanzania overshadowed only by Mount Kilimanjaro, its more celebrated cousin across the Masaai Steppe. It is generally believed that Mount Meru once surpassed Mount Kilimanjaro in height until a lava explosion blew off its Eastern face.

It is a 3 to 4 day sustained climb to the peak of Mount Meru, but options exist to trek through the rainforest to Miriakamba, the first hut which is situated at an altitude of 9,000 feet. These foot safaris normally last two days and take the visitor into Meru crater with its 2,000 feet sheer walls and into the mountain forest which supports a fascinating array of birds and monkey life including the rare Black And White Colobus. You must be in reasonably good physical condition in order to complete this walk, but the walk is highly recommended to those who are interested.

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