National Park

Arusha National Park

The closest national park to both Arusha and Moshi, and an ideal day trip or add-on to a Kilimanjaro or Mt Meru itinerary. Peaceful, uncrowded, and home to Tanzania’s second highest mountain.
Home to Mt Meru — Tanzania’s second highest peak and an outstanding 4-day trek. Walking safaris with armed ranger available. Canoe safaris on the crater lakes. The most accessible national park on the northern circuit — ideal as a day trip or Kilimanjaro add-on.

01 Quick Facts

Best Season

Year-round. Best combined with a Mt Meru trek or Kilimanjaro itinerary.

Recommended Duration

Day trip. Or multi-day combined with a Mt Meru trek.

Distance from Arusha

Less than 1 hour by road

Distance from Moshi

Less than 1 hour by road

02 Activities

Canoe SafariGame DriveHikingWalking Safari

03 The Place

The most conveniently located park on the northern circuit, Arusha National Park is less than an hour from both Arusha and Moshi. Despite this, it remains pleasantly uncrowded. The park features lovely and varied landscapes, and is home to Tanzania’s second highest mountain, Mt Meru — a spectacular 4-day trek in its own right.

Wildlife is strong on giraffes and antelopes, though the park lacks some of the big draws found elsewhere — no lions, elephants, cheetahs, or rhinos. Walking safaris with a mandatory armed park ranger are available, as are canoe safaris. We typically offer Arusha National Park as a day trip, or as an add-on around a Kilimanjaro or Meru climb.

There are no accommodations inside the park, but plenty of good options in the surrounding area.

04 Wildlife

Giraffes, various antelopes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, flamingos, monkeys, baboons. No lions, elephants, cheetahs, or rhinos.

05 Tours

Ready to visit Arusha National Park?

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06 Other Points of Interest

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Every safari and trek we plan is built around you — your timeline, your group, and what you most want to experience in Tanzania. Tell us a little about what you have in mind and Philip will personally put together an itinerary just for you.