Arusha National Park — Simba Pride Safaris

Overview

Small, green and under-visited, forty minutes from town. Crater lakes, montane forest and the slopes of Mount Meru, with canoeing among hippos and walking with a ranger among giraffe and buffalo.

Wildlife highlights

Colobus
Giraffe
Buffalo
Flamingo
Hippo
Bushbuck
Warthog

Walking

Safari on foot

No big cats means ranger-led walks below Meru among giraffe, buffalo and warthog.

Canoeing

The Momella lakes

Paddle past hippos and flamingos with Kilimanjaro on the horizon on a clear morning.

Colobus

The forest specialists

Black-and-white colobus monkeys in the Ngurdoto forest, plus blue monkeys and turacos.

Season calendar

What happens when. Use it to pick your month, then ask us to confirm conditions before you book.

Kilimanjaro viewsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flamingos on MomellaJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Walking safarisJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Green forestJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Areas & highlights

Momella lakes

Seven alkaline lakes with hippo, waterbuck and flamingos. Canoeing here.

Best: any month

Ngurdoto Crater

A small crater viewed from the rim, buffalo and warthog on the floor.

Best: any month

Meru forest

Colobus country on the lower slopes, and the start of the Meru climb.

Best: Jun to Feb

Tululusia waterfall

A short ranger walk to a forest waterfall on the mountain's flank.

Best: Nov to May

Things to do

CanoeingPaddle the Momella lakes among hippo and waterbirds.
Walking safariRanger-led walks below Mount Meru with giraffe and buffalo.
Game driveColobus monkeys in the forest, Ngurdoto Crater viewpoints.
Meru day hikeTo the first hut and back for acclimatisation.
Kilimanjaro viewsFrom the eastern side on a clear morning.

Where to stay

BudgetArusha city hotels and hostels. From US$20 p.p.

Mid-rangeCoffee-estate lodges between Arusha and the park. US$120 to 220 p.p.

LuxuryBoutique lodges on the park boundary with Meru views. US$350 and up.

By area

Park boundary: boutique lodges with Meru views, 10 minutes to the gate.
Coffee estates: between Arusha and the park, ideal first and last nights.
Arusha: city hotels for every budget.

Indicative per-person high-season rates. We hold provisional space at a shortlist of lodges in each tier and book the one that fits your route.

Getting there & around

By road

40 minutes from Arusha, 1 hour from Kilimanjaro airport.

Tip

Perfect for an arrival afternoon or a last morning before a flight.

Trips that include Arusha National Park

4 days · 4 daysMount Meru ClimbFrom $1,050 p.p.

Best time to visit

Best months

JFMAMJJASOND

Dec to FebClear mornings and the best chance of seeing Kilimanjaro from the lakes.

Jun to OctCool, dry, good walking. Slightly hazier horizons.

Mar to MayLong rains, waterfalls full, forest at its greenest.

NovShort rains, birds arriving, few visitors.

Practical notes

No cats: that is why walking and canoeing are allowed. Wildlife is smaller-scale.
Ranger fee: required for walks, included in our day trips.
Canoeing: two hours on the lake, life jackets provided.
Weather: cooler and wetter than the plains. Bring a rain layer.
Timing: a perfect arrival-day activity when jetlag rules out long drives.

Arusha National Park questions

Are there lions?

No big cats live here, which is why walking and canoeing are allowed.

Is it worth a full day?

Half a day for the drive, a full day if you add canoeing or a walk.

Is it worth it if I am doing the Serengeti?

As an arrival-day activity or a last morning, yes. It offers things the big parks do not: walking, canoeing and colobus.

Can children canoe?

From about eight, with a guide in each canoe.

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