Arusha National Park covers Mount Meru, a prominent volcano with an elevation of 4566 m, in the Arusha Region of north eastern Tanzania. The park is small but varied with spectacular
landscapes in three distinct areas. In the west, the Meru Crater funnels the
Jekukumia River; the peak of Mount Meru lies on its rim. Ngurdoto Crater in the south-east is grassland. The shallow alkaline Momella Lakes in the north-east have varying algal colours
and are known for their wading birds.
Mount Meru is the second highest peak in Tanzania
after Mount
Kilimanjaro, which is just 60 km away and
forms a backdrop to views from the park to the east. Arusha National Park lies
on a 300-kilometre axis of Africa's most famous national parks, running
from Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in the west to Kilimanjaro
National Park in the east.
The park is just a few kilometres north east of Arusha,
though the main gate is 25 km east of the city. It is also 58 km
from Moshiand 35 km from Kilimanjaro
International Airport (KIA).
Arusha National Park has a rich variety of wildlife, but
visitors shouldn't expect the same game-viewing experience they find in other
national parks of Tanzania's northern circuit. Despite the small size of the
park, common animals include giraffe, Cape
buffalo, zebra, warthog, the black-and-white
colobus monkey, the blue monkey, flamingo, elephant, lion and many other African animals. Leopard populations are present, but rarely seen. Birdlife
in the forest is prolific, with many forest species more easily seen here than
elsewhere on the tourist route - Narina trogon and bar-tailed trogon are both possible highlights for visiting birders,
whilst the range of starling species provide somewhat less gaudy interest.
