Arusha

Arusha National Park lies close to Arusha City, and TANAPA describes its grassland, nicknamed Serengeti Ndogo or “Little Serengeti”, as a place where buffalo, zebra, warthog, giraffe and waterbuck gather in large numbers for easy viewing. Cool forest, the Momella lakes and Mount Meru complete a park that feels very different from the savannah parks further west, and it makes a natural first or last stop on a northern safari.

Above it rises Mount Meru, at 4,566 metres Tanzania’s second-highest peak: a challenging climb through misty forest and alpine meadows to volcanic ash cones. Climbers use the Miriakamba and Saddle huts, and TANAPA stresses proper acclimatisation and following the hut and ranger schedule. Walking safaris and canoeing are guided activities in the park, arranged with authorised guides.

TANAPA advises booking early for the park’s peak seasons, June to October and December to February, when campsites, lodges and the Mount Meru huts are in highest demand. The park is open all year, and its good all-weather roads make it accessible in every season, and TANAPA asks climbers on Mount Meru to acclimatise properly and follow the hut and ranger schedule.

The main access is through Ngongongare Gate near Usa River, towards the Momella area, on good all-weather roads used by both self-drivers and tour vehicles. Domestic flights arrive at Arusha or Kilimanjaro airports, with transfers arranged through operators. Accommodation ranges from public and special campsites to partner lodges and tented camps around Momella and Usa River, plus the Mount Meru trekking huts.