What You Need to Know: An Arusha National Park day trip starts about 45 minutes from Arusha and covers Ngurdoto Crater, the Momella lakes, the forest with black-and-white colobus monkeys, and open glades with giraffes, zebras and buffalo, with views of Mount Meru and, on clear days, Kilimanjaro. It costs from US$332 per person for 2 travelers, including a private Land Cruiser and guide, the park fee and lunch. A ranger-led walk or canoeing can be added.
What Can You See in Arusha National Park in a Day?
| Area | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Ngurdoto Crater | Forest-ringed crater, buffalo on the floor |
| Momella Lakes | Flamingos, water birds, hippos |
| Forest areas | Black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys |
| Open glades | Giraffes, zebras, warthogs |
There are no lions or elephants in large numbers here; Arusha National Park is about scenery, primates, giraffes and birds, and a gentle first safari day.
| Area | What it is like |
|---|---|
| Ngurdoto Crater | A forested crater with buffaloes and warthogs on its floor, seen from the rim |
| Momella Lakes | Shallow alkaline lakes with flamingos, water birds and grazing giraffes |
| Mount Meru forest | Montane forest with black-and-white colobus monkeys and the Tululusia waterfall |
How an Arusha National Park Day Trip Runs
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 7:30 am | Pickup from your Arusha hotel |
| Morning | Ngurdoto Crater and the forest |
| Midday | Picnic lunch |
| Afternoon | Momella lakes and glades; optional walk or canoe |
| Late afternoon | Back in Arusha |
From Moshi the drive is about 1.5–2 hours, so pickup is earlier.
How Much Does an Arusha National Park Day Trip Cost?
From US$332 per person for 2 travelers, falling to US$173 each for a group of six.
| Travelers | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 | US$585 |
| 2 | US$332 |
| 3 | US$252 |
| 4 | US$213 |
| 5 | US$188 |
| 6 | US$173 |
Prices include the Arusha National Park entry fee, about US$59 per adult per 24 hours (US$53.10 from mid-March to mid-May), including VAT; children aged 5–15 pay less and under-5s enter free, a picnic lunch and a private vehicle. Walking and canoeing are extra.
Walking Safari and Canoeing in Arusha National Park
You can add a walk of 2–3 hours with an armed park ranger, or a canoe trip on Small Momella Lake; both carry extra fees. Read more in our walking safari guide.
Arusha National Park is one of the few parks where you can walk among big animals: with an armed ranger, you walk across the grasslands near the Momella lakes or into the forest, among giraffes, buffaloes, zebras and warthogs. The walk takes about 2–3 hours and gives a very different view of the bush from a vehicle.
A canoe trip on Small Momella Lake brings you close to water birds, and sometimes hippos and giraffes on the shore, with Mount Meru above. Ask us to add it when you book.
Who Is an Arusha National Park Day Trip For?
- Travelers with half a day or one day near Arusha
- Anyone who wants to walk or canoe as well as drive
- Photographers: giraffes with Kilimanjaro or Meru behind them on clear days
- Climbers resting before Kilimanjaro or Meru
The park has no lions, which is why walking safaris are possible; for the Big Five, add Tarangire or the Ngorongoro Crater.
Is Arusha National Park Worth a Day?
Arusha National Park is often overlooked because it has no lions or big herds, but that is exactly why it is special. You can walk, canoe and drive in one day; you see giraffes against the slopes of Mount Meru, flamingos on the Momella lakes and black-and-white colobus monkeys in the forest; and you are back in Arusha in time for dinner. It is about 45 minutes from town, so there is no long drive.
It is an ideal first day in Tanzania, a gentle warm-up before Kilimanjaro, or a relaxed last day before your flight. For the Big Five, pair it with Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater or the Serengeti; see our safari packages.
Getting to Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park's Ngongongare Gate is about 45 minutes' drive from Arusha and about an hour from Kilimanjaro International Airport, making it the easiest park to reach in northern Tanzania. You can even visit on arrival day if your flight lands in the morning, or on your departure day before an evening flight.
The park's roads are good, and the drives between its three areas, Ngurdoto Crater, the Momella Lakes and the Meru forest, are short, so you spend most of the day looking at wildlife rather than driving.
Your Safari Vehicle and Driver-Guide
You travel in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, a window seat for everyone (at most 6), Wi-Fi, charging points and a fridge, and a driver-guide who graduated from the College of African Wildlife Management at Mweka.
Longer Visits to Arusha National Park
Mount Meru, Tanzania's second-highest mountain, rises inside the park: see the Mount Meru day hike or a full Meru climb, a good acclimatization trek before Kilimanjaro.
Common Questions About Arusha National Park
How far is Arusha National Park from Arusha?
About 45 minutes by road.
Can we see Kilimanjaro from the park?
On clear mornings, yes.
Can we walk in Arusha National Park?
Yes, with an armed park ranger, for an extra fee.
Are there lions in Arusha National Park?
No. That is why walking safaris are allowed here, with an armed ranger.
Can I see both Kilimanjaro and Meru from Arusha National Park?
On clear days, yes: Meru rises above the park, and Kilimanjaro is visible to the east.
Can I combine Arusha National Park with Kilimanjaro?
Yes, as a rest or warm-up day before or after the climb.
Can I see Mount Meru up close in Arusha National Park?
Yes: the mountain rises above the park, and the forest on its lower slopes is part of the day's drive, with views of the crater on clear mornings.
The Bottom Line
Arusha National Park is the easiest wildlife day from Arusha: close, scenic and varied, with the option to walk or canoe.
Send us your date, where you are staying and the number of travelers (with children's ages) through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our team will confirm the pickup time and send your quotation.