Arusha National Park Arusha National Park is a
multi-faceted jewel, often overlooked by safarigoers, despite offering the opportunity to explore a
beguiling diversity of habitats within a few hours. Arusha National Park is a gem of varied ecosystems and
spectacular views of Mt. Meru, the crater that gives the region its name. The small national park includes
the slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mt. Meru, the Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and the lush highland
forests that blanket its lower slopes. Game viewing around the Momela Lakes is at a laid-back and
quiet pace, and while passing through the forest many visitors stop to search for troupes of
rare colubus monkeys playing in the canopy. Although elephants are uncommon in Arusha
National Park, and lions absent altogether, leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen
slinking around in the early morning and late afternoon. It is also at dusk and
dawn that the veil of cloud on the eastern horizon is most likely to clear,
revealing the majestic snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro, only
50km (30 miles) distant.
Climbing Mt. Meru or enjoying the smaller trails that criss-cross its lower slopes is a popular
activity for visitors to Arusha National Park. The three-day trek to reach the crater's summit is
a quieter, and some say more challenging alternative than the famous peak of nearby Mount
Kilimanjaro. |