Way 2 Africa Expeditions proudly presents the 1 Day Arusha National Park Safari, an exceptional short wildlife adventure ideal for travelers seeking a rich safari experience close to Arusha city. Arusha National Park is one of Tanzania’s most scenic and diverse national parks, offering a rare combination of wildlife viewing, dramatic landscapes, forest ecosystems, volcanic features, and breathtaking views of Mount Meru. Its convenient location makes it perfect for visitors with limited time who still want to experience an authentic Tanzania safari.
Despite being one of Tanzania’s smaller parks, Arusha National Park is remarkably diverse. The park stretches from the lush montane forests on the lower slopes of Mount Meru to open savannahs, crater lakes, and volcanic craters. This unique variety of habitats supports an impressive range of wildlife including giraffes, buffalos, zebras, warthogs, colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, hippos, and an exceptional variety of birdlife. The park is especially renowned for bird watching, with flamingos, pelicans, fish eagles, herons, and many forest species thriving around the Momella Lakes and forested areas.
A highlight of the park is the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, often referred to as the mini Ngorongoro Crater, which offers dramatic views into a lush volcanic basin filled with wildlife and wetlands. The Momella Lakes, a chain of shallow alkaline lakes, provide stunning reflections of Mount Meru and attract large flocks of flamingos and other water birds, creating incredible photography opportunities. The park is also one of the few places in Tanzania where walking safaris and canoeing activities are permitted, allowing visitors to experience nature from a more intimate perspective.
This carefully designed day tour offers a balanced mix of game drives, walking safaris, scenic viewpoints, and relaxation. Accompanied by professional safari guides, guests gain deep insight into the park’s ecosystems, wildlife behavior, conservation efforts, and geological history. Whether you are a first time visitor to Tanzania, a nature enthusiast, or a photography lover, this Arusha National Park day tour promises a rewarding, educational, and visually stunning safari experience.
Optional Extra Activities
The following activities can be arranged at an additional cost to enhance your safari experience:
Guided canoeing on Momella Lakes
Extended bird watching safari with a specialist guide
Additional walking safari trails within the park
Private photography guide for wildlife and landscape photography
Special picnic setup with Mount Meru views
Arusha
Your day begins with a morning pickup from your hotel in Arusha, typically scheduled between 0700 and 0730 hours. From Arusha town, you will enjoy a scenic drive of approximately 32 kilometres, taking around 40 to 45 minutes, as you travel through the foothills of Mount Meru toward the park entrance. Along the way, you will pass local farms, forested landscapes, and rural villages, while enjoying panoramic views of Mount Meru rising above the surrounding plains.
Upon arrival at Arusha National Park, situated at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 4,566 meters above sea level, you will meet your professional safari guide and complete park entry formalities. The park covers an area of approximately 137 square kilometres and offers a wide range of safari activities not commonly found in other northern circuit parks. After a detailed briefing, your safari adventure begins with a game drive through open grasslands and wooded savannah.
During the game drive, you are likely to encounter giraffes browsing on acacia trees, zebras grazing in open areas, buffalos moving in herds, and various antelope species. The park is also famous for its primates, and you may spot black and white colobus monkeys leaping between trees or blue monkeys moving through the forest canopy. Bird enthusiasts will enjoy sightings of flamingos, crowned cranes, fish eagles, hornbills, and numerous forest bird species.
The drive continues toward the Ngurdoto Crater, a striking volcanic crater approximately 3 kilometres in diameter. From designated viewpoints along the crater rim, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the crater floor, which features swamps, grasslands, and dense vegetation that attract wildlife throughout the year. This area offers excellent opportunities for landscape photography and wildlife observation.
Next, the safari proceeds to the scenic Momella Lakes, a series of shallow alkaline lakes located on the northeastern side of the park. Set against the backdrop of Mount Meru, these lakes are known for their changing colors and high concentrations of birdlife. Large flocks of flamingos, pelicans, storks, and ducks are commonly seen here, making it one of the most photogenic areas of the park. Guests who choose to participate may enjoy a canoeing experience, allowing close encounters with water birds and stunning views of the surrounding forested hills.
A picnic lunch will be served at a designated site within the park, where you can relax, enjoy your meal, and take in the peaceful natural surroundings. After lunch, the tour continues with a guided walking safari along forest trails accompanied by an armed ranger. This activity provides a unique opportunity to explore the park on foot, observe plant life, learn about animal tracks, and encounter wildlife such as monkeys, birds, and small mammals from a closer perspective.
In the afternoon, you will begin your return drive to Arusha, arriving back at your hotel in the late afternoon, concluding a memorable and rewarding day exploring one of Tanzania’s most scenic national parks with Way 2 Africa Expeditions.
Activities : Game Drives
* 20% Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
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