Size: 137 sq km (53 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, Northeast of Arusha.

The closest national park to Arusha Town – Northern Tanzania's safari capital – Arusha National Park is a multi-faceted jewel, often overlooked by safarigoers, despite offering the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats within a few hours. It is a gem of varied ecosystems and spectacular views of Mount Meru, the crater that gives the region its name. The small national park includes the slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mountain, the Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and the lush highland forests that blanket its lower slopes. But it is Mt. Kilimanjaro's unassuming cousin, Mount Meru - the fifth highest in Africa at 4,566 metres (14,990 feet) – that dominates the park's horizon. Its peaks and eastern footslopes protected within the national park, Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbour, while also forming a rewarding Tanzania safari and hiking destination in its own right.

Passing first through wooded savannah where buffalos and giraffes are frequently encountered, the ascent of Meru leads into forests aflame with red-hot pokers and dripping with Spanish moss, before reaching high open heath spiked with giant lobelias. Everlasting flowers cling to the alpine desert, as delicately-hoofed klipspringers mark the hike's progress. Astride the craggy summit, Mt. ilimanjaro stands unveiled, blushing in the sunrise. It is also at dusk and dawn that the veil of cloud on the eastern horizon is most likely to clear, revealing the majestic snow-capped peaks of Mt. Kilimanjaro, only 50km (30 miles) distant.

Wildlife
While on a Tanzania safari, you will notice that elephants are uncommon in Arusha National Park, and lions absent altogether, leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen slinking around in the early morning and late afternoon. The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and colourful turacos and trogons. Giraffes glide across the grassy hills, between grazing zebra herds, while wide-eyed dik-dik dart into scrubby bush like overgrown hares on spindly legs. In the midst of the forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater's steep, rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalo and warthog. Further North, rolling grassy hills enclose the the Momela Lakes, each one tinged pink with thousands of flamingos, the lakes also support a rich selection of resident and migrant waterfowl.

How To Get There
An easy 40-minute drive from Arusha Town. Approximately 60 km (35 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari.

What To Do (Activities)
Tanzania safari game viewing, forest walks, mountain biking, canoeing, numerous picnic sites; three or four-day Mount Meru climb - good acclimatisation for Mt. Kilimanjaro.

When To Go
To climb Mount Meru, June-February although it may rain in November. Best views of Kilimanjaro December-February.

Accommodation
A safari lodge, two rest houses, camp sites, two mountain huts inside the park; two lodges at Usa River outside the park and many hotels and hostels in Arusha Town.