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Mount Meru rising above the forest
National ParkNorthern Tanzania

Arusha National Park

Mount Meru, forest and lakes on Arusha's doorstep

Best time
June – February
Recommended stay
1 day (3–4 days to climb Mount Meru)
Nearest airport
Arusha Airport (ARK)
Main attraction
Mount Meru & Momella Lakes
Overview

About Arusha

Arusha National Park is only about 40 minutes from Arusha town, which makes it ideal for a day trip or the first day of a safari. It covers Mount Meru, Tanzania's second-highest mountain, the Ngurdoto Crater and the shallow Momella Lakes.

It is one of the few northern parks where you can walk with an armed ranger and paddle a canoe, and it is the best place in the north to see black-and-white colobus monkeys.

Mount Meru
4,566 m
Size
≈ 552 km²
Drive from Arusha
≈ 40 min
Main attractions

What makes it special

Mount Meru rising above the forest

Mount Meru

A 3–4 day climb with excellent acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro.

Momella Lakes

Alkaline lakes in different shades of green and blue, often with flamingos.

Ngurdoto Crater

A forested crater with buffalo and warthogs on its swampy floor.

Wildlife & activities

What you can see and do

  • Black-and-white colobus
  • Giraffe
  • Buffalo
  • Zebra
  • Warthog
  • Flamingo
  • Blue monkey
  • Bushbuck

Game drives

Walking safaris

With an armed park ranger.

Canoeing

On Small Momella Lake, where officially available.

Hiking & Mount Meru climb

Mount Meru climb

Mount Meru via Momella Route

Momella Gate

3–4 daysChallengingFrom TSh 2,470,000

A scenic 4-day climb with huts, an armed ranger escort and a sunrise view of Kilimanjaro from the summit.

Major stages

  1. Miriakamba Hut
  2. Saddle Hut
  3. Rhino Point
  4. Socialist Peak

Included

  • Park and hut fees
  • Guide and armed ranger
  • Porters and cook
  • Meals on the mountain

Not included

  • Tips
  • Personal gear

Related packages

Best time to visit

When to go

June – February

  1. January: Best
  2. February: Best
  3. March: Good
  4. April: Rainy / low season
  5. May: Rainy / low season
  6. June: Best
  7. July: Best
  8. August: Best
  9. September: Best
  10. October: Best
  11. November: Good
  12. December: Best
  • Best
  • Good
  • Rainy / low season

Recommended stay: 1 day (3–4 days to climb Mount Meru)

Location & access

Getting there

About 40 minutes by road from Arusha town.

Nearest airports & airstrips

  • Arusha AirportARK
  • Kilimanjaro International AirportJRO
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Park fees

Entry and conservation fees

FeeAmount (USD)Notes
Conservation fee — adult non-residentOn requestRate on request (+18% VAT)
Vehicle entry feeOn requestRate on request

Park fees are included in SASU Tours packages. Current official rates are confirmed in your quotation.

Park and conservation fees are set by TANAPA, NCAA and the Zanzibar authorities and can change. Figures shown are indicative; your quotation always uses the current official rates.

Tours & safaris

Packages that visit Arusha

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