2-Day Wildlife Immersion And Mount Meru Experience In Tanzania
Highlights
Arusha National Park, Mount Meru
nature, cultural, Wildlife
Private Tour
2 Days
Easy
English, French, Spanish
Description
Arusha National Park, nestled in northern Tanzania near the city of Arusha, is a captivating gem known for its diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. Though smaller than other Tanzanian parks at 552 square kilometers, Arusha offers a rich tapestry of habitats, from open savannah and montane forests to the alkaline Momella Lakes and the impressive Ngurdoto Crater.
The park's most striking feature is Mount Meru, Tanzania's second-highest peak at 4,566 meters. This dormant volcano provides a dramatic backdrop and is a popular hiking destination, offering stunning views and a unique trekking experience.
Arusha National Park boasts a remarkable variety of wildlife, including the world's largest population of giraffes. Visitors can also spot zebras, buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, hippos, and various antelope species. The park is particularly famous for its primate population, including the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey and the blue monkey, which are often easier to see here than in other northern circuit parks. While lions are absent and elephants and leopards are less common, hyenas are sometimes seen.
Birdwatchers will be delighted by the over 400 bird species recorded in the park, ranging from forest dwellers to raptors and water birds, including the vibrant pink flamingoes that flock to the Momella Lakes.
Activities in Arusha National Park cater to different interests. Game drives offer opportunities to see the larger mammals, while walking safaris and canoe trips on the Momella Lakes provide a more intimate encounter with the surroundings and wildlife. The park's accessibility, being a short drive from Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport, makes it an ideal destination for day trips or as an introduction to a longer safari itinerary.
Itinerary
-
Day 1- Exploring the Eastern Side and Momella Lakes
- Morning (8:00 AM): After an early breakfast in Arusha, you'll be picked up by your guide and transferred to Arusha National Park (approximately a 45-minute drive).
- Late Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Begin with a game drive focusing on the eastern side of the park. This area is known for the Ngurdoto Crater, often called "Little Ngorongoro." You'll drive along the crater rim, enjoying views into the swampy floor below where buffaloes, waterbucks, and various birds can be seen. Also, look out for the giant fig tree where safari vehicles can drive through.
- Midday (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Enjoy a picnic lunch within the park, perhaps at a scenic viewpoint.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Experience a canoe safari on the beautiful Momella Lakes. This offers a unique perspective to observe waterbirds, including flamingos, and animals like giraffes and buffaloes grazing along the shores.
- Alternatively, you could opt for a walking safari with an armed ranger for a more intimate encounter with the flora and fauna.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Continue with a game drive around the Momella Lakes area, keeping an eye out for giraffes, zebras, bushbucks, and the playful black-and-white colobus monkeys, which are abundant in this park.
- Evening: Transfer to your accommodation inside or just outside the park for dinner and an overnight stay. Options range from lodges to tented camps, offering different levels of comfort.
-
Day 2- Mount Meru Foothills and Departure
- Morning (7:00 AM - 12:00 PM): After breakfast, dedicate the morning to exploring the foothills of Mount Meru. You could choose one of the shorter hiking trails accompanied by an armed ranger. The Tululusia Hill hike offers panoramic views of the park's lower reaches and is a great option. Keep an eye out for wildlife like bushbucks and various bird species in the montane forest. Alternatively, enjoy another game drive in a different section of the park you might have missed on the first day.
- Midday (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Enjoy a final lunch in the park.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Depending on your departure time, you can have a final short game drive or visit the Ngurdoto Museum at the park headquarters for insights into the park's ecology and history.
- Late Afternoon: Depart from Arusha National Park and transfer back to Arusha town or the Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey.
What's Included
What's Excluded
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
-
For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price
| Adult | |
|---|---|
| 1 to 20 | /person |
| Child | |
| 1 to 20 | /person |
|
This is a private tour |
|