Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is often overlooked by safari-goers, despite offering the opportunity to explore a wide diversity of habitats within a few hours. It is the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic colobus monkey is easily seen.

This is the nearest park to the city of Arusha, and it is in a position that observes the majestic snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro, only 50km away. This is an ideal stop for guests wanting a safari experience, but without the time to travel far from Arusha.

This park is an easy 40 minute drive from Arusha town and approximately 60km from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari.

Activities include forest walks with numerous picnic sites and a three or four-day Mount Meru climb for the adventurous visitor.

One of the highlights at Arusha Safari Lodge is that guests are able to view Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru from the lodge. Guests are served fresh meals at the lodge's restaurant, as it utilises fresh ingredients from the vegetable gardens on the property. Arusha Safari Lodge is home to beautiful tropical gardens, colourful birds and monkeys.

Machweo Retreat has a sauna, a steam bath, and a treatment room. Guests can cook alongside Axel Janssens, head chef of the restaurant, by learning how to cook Tanzanian meals. Guests may also accompany the chef on his morning fruit and vegetable run to the colourful Arusha market.

Hatari Lodge is ideal for the safari enthusiasts and the romantic at heart and offers one of the most unique locations in East Africa. Guests can enjoy a traditional safari experience with close encounters of wildlife on activities such as game drives or experience the rich and diverse flora and fauna on a guided walk as well as exciting canoe trips.

How to Get There

Safaris in Tanzania begin at Arusha, which is situated close to the northern safari locations.

Sun Safaris will fly guests to Kilimanjaro International Airport, which is the primary receiving airport in Tanzania. This airport is only a few kilometres away from Arusha airport, which is the safari node of the country and where most light air transfers take off from.

Once guests have landed at Kilimanjaro, they will connect with a road transfer that will take them to Arusha airport. Depending on timing of guests' itinerary, they might spend a night in Arusha before heading off on a scheduled flight to an airstrip or airport nearer their safari destination.

Arusha National Park is only a short drive from the airport and offers a great alternative to a city hotel for an overnight before or after setting off on safari.

Arusha National Park Game Viewing and Activities

Arusha National Park offers beautiful landscapes and diverse animal, bird and plant life. This magnificent park is characterised by waterfalls and lakes, steep cliffs and gorges, swamps and waterholes, providing the ideal sanctuary for animals and plants. Guests can enjoy Africa at its best and experienced guides will accompany guests on walking safaris, canoeing trips on the lakes or exciting game drives.

Arusha is home to groups of forest elephant, many buffalo, water and bushbucks, duikers and dik diks. Spotted hyenas, leopards and civets are some of the predator inhabitants. A major attraction is the large number in primates; especially the black and white Colobus and the shining Sykes monkeys, which are very likely to be seen on a game drive or a walk in the park.

There are no lions in this park, and leopards are present, but not often spotted. These are elusive cats and do not often come out to hunt until dark. Arusha National Park offers more of a peaceful environment with less of the thrill of big game viewing.