Arusha National Park is Tanzania’s most accessible park — just a forty-minute drive from the city — yet one of the most rewarding for travellers who want to experience the bush on foot. The park encompasses the Ngurdoto Crater, the Momella Lakes, and the lower slopes of Mount Meru, Africa’s fifth-highest peak. A guided walking safari through montane forest and open meadows brings you close to giraffe, buffalo, colobus monkeys, and over 400 bird species in a way that a vehicle never can. The day also includes a game drive around the Momella Lakes, where flamingos gather and Mount Meru’s snow-capped summit reflects in the still waters.
Depart Arusha at approximately 7:30 AM for the short drive to the park gate. The morning begins with a two-to-three-hour guided walking safari accompanied by an armed ranger and expert naturalist. After a gourmet picnic lunch in the park, an afternoon game drive covers the Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater viewpoints. Moderate fitness is recommended for the walking portion, which covers undulating terrain. Return to Arusha by approximately 4:30 PM.