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The often overlooked Arusha National Park is the
closest national park to Arusha in the northern
safari circuit and offers the discerning traveller
the opportunity to discover a rich diversity of
habitats and wildlife in one day.
The lush montane forest surrounding Ngurdoto Crater
is home to blue monkeys and the black and white
colobus monkey, while the crater itself encloses a
fertile, swampy floor scattered with herds of
buffalo and warthog. Birdlife in the park abounds,
with more than 400 species on display. Canoeing
around the Momela Lakes is the perfect way to view
the abundant birdlife including, at times, thousands
of greater and lesser flamingos. Zebra and Giraffe
graze lazily on the grassy hills while the elusive
duiker dive into the undergrowth in the woodland.
Leopards can be seen lurking around the forests in
the early morning and late afternoons.
Some of the best views of Mt Kilimanjaro are seen
from Arusha National Park and in particular, from
the peaks of Mt Meru. Mt Meru is protected by the
national park and a trek to Socialist Peak (4562m)
begins with a hike alongside herds of buffalo and
giraffe before entering the dense montane forest.
The trek along the knife-edge rim of the horseshoe
crater is rewarded with views of Mt Kilimanjaro, the
Momela Lakes and the perfectly formed ash cone
below.
Its proximity to Arusha makes this park a rewarding
day trip or a valuable addition to a northern circuit
safari. |
