Arusha National Park & City

Arusha is Tanzania’s third largest city and generally the first stop on a northern circuit safari adventure. Most guests stay a night or two in the area before moving on to the Serengeti, Tarangire, Ngorongoro crater or one of the other incredible regions easily reachable from Arusha. What most visitors aren’t aware of is that, Arusha National Park is a wonderful destination in its own right for a brief safari, if guests have the time to spare! The outskirts of the city are dotted with beautiful and luxurious guest houses, many of which are situated on working coffee plantations and farms, or along quaint rivers and tributaries. At the foot of Mount Meru, Arusha sits at about 1,500m above sea level, therefore providing spectacular views of the surrounding rolling hills and vast plains.

Highlights

Arusha City: Beautiful outskirts, with Boutique Accommodation, Rolling Hills, Coffee Plantations & Tropical Forests
National Park: Wonderful Place for Hiking & Bird Watching

Wildlife

Arusha National park is small in comparison to other parks and reserves in the region but offers a wide range of flora and fauna with its various regions sitting at different altitudes. The park is home to a wide variety of bird species, antelope and some of the more elusive mammals such as leopard and hyenna. Due to the diverse topography, the species found in specific areas of the park vary significantly. The Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and Mount Meru all host an extraoridinary variety of vegetation and wildlife.

Activities

In Arusha National Park guests can take part in walking safaris on the foothills of Mount Meru or partake in a classic driving safari. Canoeing along the Momela Lakes is another wonderful activity available to visitors.

Many of the lodges situated along the outskirts of the city also offer a the opportunity to participate in a range of activities and excursions. Some properties offer horseback riding, coffee plantation tours, Massai market trips and other cultural activities. As most guests tend to stay in Arusha for short periods of time its usually used as a place to rest in comfort before journeying north.

Seasons

In keeping with rest of the country, Arusha has two rainy seasons, the most significant of which is from April to May during which time we advise guests not to visit. The second rainy season from November to December is not nearly as intense and can actually be a lovely time to visit due to the especially lush vegetation. Otherwise, Arusha can be enjoyed all year round.

Lodges & Camps

Our favourite properties in Arusha are located outside of the city centre and are situated within the coffee plantations and vibrant gardens that encircle the region. Most of the properties offer exquisite food, wonderful swimming pools, spas and scenic views making it the perfect place to unwind before embarking elsewhere.