Arusha is one of the most beautiful and diverse parks out there. The topography depicts a sharp distinction between the mountains and the volcanic craters, the entire scene is dominated by the splendor of Mt. Meru. The park is very well known as well for Ngurdoto Crater which has a swamp floor that gives it a very primal feeling.
The park is smaller than many other parks out there. It has a lot of wildlife, but there is not the same amount of wildlife that is found in many of the other parks. There are many small facts that can be forgotten though when you are out and trekking around this amazing park.
How Can I Do A Safari at Arusha National Park?
Watching the Wildlife: When it comes to seeing the most wildlife, there are many options for how you can take that in. If you head to the north of the Ngongongare gate there is an area that is known as the Little Serengeti. Here there is a patch of grassland that functions as the perfect place for animals to feed and to take in the scene. In addition to that, the road will divide here. The Outer Rd, heads to the west and there are beautiful views of the mountain there. In addition to that, if you head to the east, you can see amazing views of the park’s wildlife. Here you will see that the road is going to be easily passable by cars that have at least 2WD and that means that you are going to also get to pass Lake Momella and Ngurdoto Crater. This is a lovely place to spend time looking at wildlife and taking in your surroundings.
The park has many varying heights throughout it and there are many areas of vegetation. It is important to watch out in the areas of vegetation because the plants will reduce the visibility. There are many areas where you can see zebras, giraffes, hippos and more. There are many elephants and other animals as well that are perfect for your viewing pleasure. The one thing that you will not spot is hippos or rhinos.
Safari on the Lake: You can take a 2.5-hour trip on the lake as well with a 50.00 USD fee that you pay at the gate in the morning and in the afternoon.
Birdwatching Safaris: There is tons of bird life in the area and there are over 400 different species in the park. There are many raptors in the park, and they are in the higher altitudes of the park. There are many birds in the area as well that are a part of the water system as well as the lakes. There are many water wading birds that are a part of the area and that are present through the entire year as well. Many of these include birds like flamingos and they come to the area for the many kinds of algae that are available. The birds vary in their lives from one another and they are separated simply by a small strip of land. You have the option to watch for raptors and many other eagles which are always above the thermal areas of the Ngurdoto. The park’s population in birds has gotten much larger in the past few years. The birds come in around November and they are going to stay until April. The main birds that you are going to find in the area mostly turacos and trogons.
Are You Up for a Walk: There are many walking safaris that are available as well if you are up for the hike! You can check out many of the options that are there from the passes that head below Mt. Meru to those that are along the side of the Ngurdoto Crater and in the trail. It is not possible to go into the crater as it is a protected area. The walk itself if you are looking to get to the main viewpoint that is a part of the Menu Crater floor is a very brisk hike.
Walking at Mt. Meru: The mountain is the second highest in Tanzania and is a little shorter at 4566, than Kilimanjaro. This is one of the most impressive cones in the park and is an amazing view. The walk is very breathtaking and dramatic as you can walk along the side of the crater rim. In addition to that, there is a very steep rise that is a part of the base that you walk about 2000m in the air. The walk is quite inspiring, and the basin is shaped like a horseshoe. There are many cliffs as well that are along the wall and that ensure that it is some of the most amazing areas in all of Africa. When you are inside the crater you can see many of the eruptions that have happened recently as well as the Ash Cone that makes the walk worth it.