Rainforest, crater landscapes and Mount Meru as the backdrop. Discover one of northern Tanzania’s most varied parks on a private day safari just outside Arusha.
Just beyond Arusha, the landscape changes quickly. Forested slopes, the Momella Lakes, open grasslands and the dramatic Ngurdoto Crater all sit beneath the presence of Mount Meru, giving Arusha National Park a character completely different from Tanzania’s larger safari parks.
What makes a day here particularly special is the variety. Game drives reveal giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, warthogs and other wildlife, while the forest is known for its primates and rich birdlife. With no lions in the park, guided walking safaris are also possible in designated areas, allowing you to experience the landscape on foot with an armed park ranger.
Close to Arusha yet wonderfully wild, it’s an excellent choice for a first or final day in Tanzania — especially for travelers who want something more immersive than a traditional game drive.
Take in beautiful views of Mount Meru rising above the park’s forests, lakes and open landscapes.
Explore varied habitats in search of giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, warthogs, antelopes and more.
Look for black-and-white colobus monkeys and blue monkeys among the park’s lush montane forest.
Discover a series of scenic alkaline lakes known for waterbirds and, at times, flamingos.
Your day begins with a short drive from Arusha to Arusha National Park, where the morning starts on foot. Accompanied by an armed park ranger, set out on a guided walking safari through one of the Northern Circuit’s most intimate landscapes. Away from the vehicle, the experience becomes slower and more immersive — following animal tracks, noticing birdlife and smaller details, with the possibility of seeing giraffes, buffaloes and other wildlife from a safe distance.
Continue by safari vehicle toward the Momella Lakes, a beautiful series of shallow alkaline lakes framed by forest and the slopes of Mount Meru. The lakes attract a variety of waterbirds, while flamingos may also be present depending on seasonal conditions. From here, visit the Ngurdoto Crater viewpoint for sweeping views across the forested caldera below.
Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park before continuing your afternoon game drive through changing habitats of montane forest, woodland and open grassland. Keep watch for Arusha National Park’s distinctive black-and-white colobus monkeys, as well as giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, warthogs and other wildlife.
With Mount Meru dominating the landscape — and Kilimanjaro sometimes visible on a clear day — the scenery is every bit as much a part of the experience as the wildlife. Later in the afternoon, leave the park and return to Arusha.
Highlights
Meals: Lunch
Include
• Private return transfer from Arusha
• Private safari vehicle
• Professional English-speaking driver-guide
• Guided walking safari with an armed park ranger
• Arusha National Park entry fees
• Game drive in Arusha National Park
• Picnic lunch
• Bottled drinking water
Not Include
• International or domestic flights
• Accommodation in Arusha
• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Personal expenses and souvenirs
• Tips and gratuities
• Any activities not specified in the itinerary
Tell us a little about your plans, and we’ll create a private Tanzania experience around you.
