This is the closest national park to Arusha town (northern Tanzania’s safari capital). It is a multi-faceted jewel and offer the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats within a few hours. The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and colourful turacos and trogons – the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen. The spectacular Ngurdoto Crater is found in the midst of the forest. Its steep, rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalos and warthogs.
Further north, rolling grassy hills encircle the tranquil beauty of the Momela Lakes, each displaying a different hue of green or blue. With their shallows sometimes tinged pink with thousands of flamingos, the lakes support a rich selection of resident and migrant waterfowl and shaggy waterbucks display their large lyre-shaped horns on the watery fringes. Giraffes glide across the grassy hills between grazing zebra herds, while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart into scrubby bush like overgrown hares on spindly legs.
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) away. It is Kilimanjaro’s unassuming cousin, Mount Meru – the fifth highest in Africa at 4,566 metres (14,990 feet), that dominates the park’s horizon. With its peaks and eastern foot slopes protected within the national park, Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbour while also being a rewarding hiking destination in its own right.
Arusha is a year around destination with the best conditions in the dry season from July to November, or after the short rains from December to March.
The best months to climb Mt Meru: June to February.
Best views of Kilimanjaro: December to February.