Arusha National Park Day Trip
Game drive, walking safari and optional canoeing in one varied day, all just a short drive from Arusha in the shadow of Mount Meru.
- Duration
- 1 day
- Route
- Arusha – Arusha National Park (Ngurdoto Crater, Momella Lakes) – Arusha
- Start / end
- Starts and ends at your hotel in Arusha (pick-up and drop-off included)
- Best time
- The park is enjoyable all year; mountain views are usually clearest from about June to February, outside the long rains.
- Trip style
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and driver-guide, plus an armed national park ranger for the walking safari.
Tour overview
Arusha National Park is the closest park to town, yet it feels a world away. In one day you move from montane forest full of black-and-white colobus monkeys to the rim of Ngurdoto Crater and the shallow, colorful Momella Lakes, with Mount Meru rising above and, on clear mornings, Kilimanjaro on the horizon.
What makes this park special is variety. Alongside a game drive in search of giraffe, buffalo, zebra and waterbuck, you can step out of the vehicle for a walking safari with an armed park ranger, and add an optional canoe trip on Small Momella Lake for a quiet look at water birds and grazing animals from the water.
It is ideal for active travelers, for those resting before or after a climb, and for anyone with limited time who wants more than just a drive.
Highlights
- Ranger-led walking safari among giraffe and buffalo
- Black-and-white colobus monkeys in the montane forest
- Momella Lakes with flamingos and water birds
- Ngurdoto Crater viewpoint
- Optional canoeing on Small Momella Lake
- Views of Mount Meru and, on clear days, Kilimanjaro
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arusha National Park: drive, walk and paddle
Your guide collects you at about 7:30 am for the 45-minute drive to the park gate. The morning game drive climbs through forest, where colobus and blue monkeys feed in the trees, to the Ngurdoto Crater viewpoint, before continuing to the Momella Lakes, where flamingos and other water birds gather and giraffe browse along the shore. Late morning, meet your armed ranger for a walking safari of about 2 hours across open grassland toward the foot of Mount Meru. After a picnic lunch, you can join the optional canoe trip on Small Momella Lake or enjoy another game drive. You return to your Arusha hotel by about 5:30 pm.
What is included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Arusha hotel
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Arusha National Park entry and conservation fees
- Walking safari with an armed park ranger, including walking fee
- Picnic lunch
- Bottled drinking water
- Government taxes
Not included
- Canoe safari (optional, booked on request)
- International flights, visa and travel insurance
- Tips for your guide and ranger
- Drinks other than water
- Personal items and souvenirs
Good to know
- Wear closed walking shoes and neutral-colored clothing for the walking safari.
- Canoeing depends on water levels and is best booked in advance.
- Mornings in the forest can be cool and damp, so bring a light fleece.
- There are no lions in the park, which is what makes walking here possible.
Frequently asked questions
Is the walking safari safe?
Yes. Walks follow set routes with an armed, experienced park ranger who briefs you before you start. The terrain is gentle and suitable for most reasonably fit visitors.
Can we see Kilimanjaro from Arusha National Park?
On clear days, usually early in the morning, Kilimanjaro is visible from parts of the park, especially near the Momella Lakes. Mount Meru dominates the view on most days.
What is the minimum age for the walking safari?
Park rules usually set a minimum age for walking safaris, typically around 12 or older. Let us know your children's ages and we will confirm before you travel.
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