Arusha National Park lies just 25 kilometers east of Arusha Town, and is ideal for a rewarding day trip from Arusha or Moshi.
Arusha National park covers an area of about 137square kilometers. It is located near Arusha town between the peaks of Mountains Kilimanjaro and Meru. The Park and the town derive their name from Wa-Arusha people who traditionally live in this area.
The Ngurdoto Crater, Momela Lakes, the highland mountain forest, and the rugged Mount Meru (4575m) are the four distinctive features of the park.
Although small, the park has a wealth of wildlife including Colobus monkeys, velvet monkeys, bushbucks, buffaloes, red forest duikers, hippos, elephants and giraffes. Bird life, especially waterfowl, is abundant and interesting.
You can do some hiking with an armed ranger at the Ngurdoto Crater and to the Mt. Meru Crater. This is a good trip for people who have a short stay in Tanzania.