Arusha National Park in the Arusha Region offers several different nature experiences: walks through natural forests, wildlife viewing, activities at the Momella Lakes and a four-day mountain hike. These options offer different focuses for your stay. If you are looking for accommodation in Arusha, you can first decide whether trails and wildlife viewing, the lakes or the multi-day hike will shape your travel plans. Conditions vary, especially for hikes and canoeing.
Exploring Arusha National Park
The park is crisscrossed by a well-maintained, signposted network of roads and trails for wildlife viewing. Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro are often visible. The park therefore offers both roads and trails for wildlife viewing, as well as frequent views of the two mountains.
Walks through natural forests are possible. There is a specific requirement for hikes: they must be arranged at a park gate and are accompanied by an armed ranger. On a walking safari, you may see buffalo, elephants, black-and-white colobus monkeys and giraffes up close. If you are planning to view wildlife on foot, factor in the arrangements and ranger escort.
The Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto
Canoeing and birdwatching are possible at the Momella Lakes. Canoeing on Small Momella Lake is available by prior arrangement. If canoeing is a priority for you, plan for this arrangement and check the current options for organising it before your trip. Birdwatching is another activity available at the lakes.
At the lower end of Arusha National Park lies Ngurdoto, a small, complete volcanic crater. As a geological landform, it differs from the natural forests and activities at the lakes. Together with the frequent views of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro, it offers a range of nature themes to consider when deciding how to spend your visit to the park.
Planning the four-day mountain hike
A four-day mountain hike in Arusha National Park uses the Miriakamba and Saddle mountain huts. It must be organised in advance through a local tour operator; porters and an armed ranger escort are required. Confirm the duration, hut use and arrangements again before your trip. The hike requires a dedicated block of time, setting it apart from walks, wildlife viewing and activities at the lakes.
If you choose the four-day mountain hike, factor in the time required and the need to organise it in advance before planning the rest of your stay. If you are focusing on natural forest, wildlife viewing or the Momella Lakes, other activities will be the priority; prior arrangement is important for canoeing on Small Momella Lake. Compare your accommodation with your travel plans and confirm the relevant park arrangements in advance. This will help you find hotels in Arusha based on your own length of stay and chosen activities, without combining different park options into a single programme.
Discover more destinations: Arusha, Monduli, Manyara, Sinoni, Ngorongoro, Loiborsoit, Engare Nanyuki, Kingori, Karangai, Tinga Tinga.
Back to the main travel overview: Tanzania.
