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Safari in Arusha National Park

Safari in Arusha National Park

Overview: Safari in Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is often overlooked by travellers heading to the more famous sights of the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti. However, with a little time, Arusha National Park offers some lovely walking in the foothills of Mount Meru and canoeing on the Momela Lakes, plus gentle game drives. A half-day or full-day visit is well worth the time.

There's a range of activities in Arusha National Park. These include walking safaris, accompanied by a ranger and lasting for up to four hours, during which you will stop for a break at one of the park's lovely picnic sites.

You can also explore the further reaches of the park by vehicle, taking in some of the lovely views and keeping an eye out for wildlife. Another good activity here – one not found in Tanzania's other parks –  is a canoeing safari exploring the Momela Lakes.

Availability: Safaris to Arusha National Park are available at any time

Please note: Expert Africa only books excursions as a part of a full, Expert Africa itinerary.
Start location
Any of Expert Africa's hotels in Arusha
End location
Back at your hotel
Meals included
Usually a picnic breakfast and/or lunch
Duration
Half day or full day
Maximum group size
Usually run as a private excursion

Safari in Arusha National Park: Picture Gallery

What to look forward to.


1 of 2
Arusha National Park is partly forested…
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…but also has lakes and open spaces.

Arusha National Park is partly forested…

…but also has lakes and open spaces.

Safari in Arusha National Park reviews

20 independent first-hand comments from our travellers.


77%
7 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
1
Good
4
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Overall rating: Good

SistersfromLondon

8 Sep 2019

"Great first day safari in Arusha"

"Fabulous sightings of giraffes, elephants, zebra and other mammals …" Read Sisters’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mr & Mrs DfromHampshire

2 Sep 2019

"Safari in Arusha National Park review"

"We particularly enjoyed the opportunity to walk in the bush …" Read Mr & Mrs D’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Overall rating: Average

Overall rating: Good

Overall rating: Average

Ms T & Mr BfromToronto

27 Sep 2009

"Arusha National Park Nomad tour"

"Arusha National Park Nomad tour …" Read Ms T & Mr B’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Safari in Arusha National Park reviews

Ideas for holidays which can include Safari in Arusha National Park

Add this experience to these trip ideas or contact us to start planning your own tailor-made safari to Tanzania.


Itinerary image

Chimpanzee Fly-in Safari

8 days • 3 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

Combining two of the remotest parks in Tanzania, this safari can deliver extraordinary wildlife viewing in Katavi, and East Africa's best chimp treks, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

US$12,730 - US$14,920 per person

Itinerary image

Secretary Bird Fly-in Safari

8 days • 4 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

Chosen for comfort and relaxation as much as for its range of activities, this safari makes for a leisurely trip featuring stunning accommodation and swift access to many of northern Tanzania’s best wildlife regions.

US$12,110 - US$18,080 per person

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Other excursions in Tanzania

Inspiration and great ideas for other experiences in Tanzania to include in your safari.


Safari in Ngorongoro Crater

Safari in Ngorongoro Crater

Typically a full day

To drive into the Ngorongoro Crater is to immerse yourself in a renowned wildlife park. Prides of lion and clans of hyena patrol amongst herds of zebra, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelle, whilst flocks of crowned cranes keep out the way of jackals. Come for elephants with big tusks, too. And then there are the rhino…

More about Ngorongoro Crater safari
94% (90 reviews)
Lake Manyara Safari

Lake Manyara Safari

Half-day or full-day

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park makes a great safari destination. Here, along with elephant herds and plains game, you’ll find jungle-like forests that are home to blue monkeys, a soda lake tinged pink by flamingos and some of Tanzania’s best birding.

More about Lake Manyara Safari
85% (48 reviews)
Balloon Safari over the Serengeti

Balloon Safari over the Serengeti

Three hours - approx. one hour flight

As the sun rises over the Serengeti National Park in Northern Tanzania, climb aboard for an extraordinary adventure. For an hour you’ll float in a hot air balloon over beautiful savannah and woodland and a diversity of plains wildlife.

More about Balloon Safari
100% (19 reviews)
Olduvai Gorge visit

Olduvai Gorge visit

One - two hours

See for yourself the renowned archaeological site of Olduvai (or Oldupai) Gorge, which lies en route between the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park. Famed for the discoveries of early hominin remains as well as the Laetoli Footprints, the site offers beautiful views, an engaging museum and potentially the opportunity to visit an active dig.

More about Olduvai Gorge visit
94% (16 reviews)
Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk

Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk

Two to three hours

Discover the nuances of day-to-day life in the large Tanzanian village of Mto Wa Mbu with a knowledgeable local guide. This is not a village set up for tourists – Mto Wa Mbu is a real community and offers a chance to see a side of Tanzania that many visitors pass by.

More about Village Walk
91% (7 reviews)
Maasai Village Visit

Maasai Village Visit

Two to three hours - afternoon activity

Gain an authentic insight into Maasai life, visiting one of the villages in the highland areas of the Ngorongoro Crater. Far from being a commercialised, contrived experience, this is a genuine opportunity to visit a real village, and to be welcomed by the villagers.

More about Maasai Village Visit
80% (4 reviews)
Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway

Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway

Usually one hour

Experience the forest of Lake Manyara National Park from a whole new perspective – high up in the trees. The first suspended walkway in Tanzania, it stretches underneath the canopy for 370m between the mahogany and fig trees, giving intrepid visitors a unique view of the surrounding flora and fauna.

More about Manyara Treetop Walk
75% (4 reviews)
Empakaai Crater Hike

Empakaai Crater Hike

Half day, two - three hour walk

Spend a half day hiking through the Empakaai Crater, in the Highlands area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), led by an experienced guide and accompanied by a ranger.

More about Empakaai Crater Hike
100% (1 reviews)
Crater Rim Walk

Crater Rim Walk

Half day - two hour walk

For some fantastic views, and the chance to see flora and fauna up close, take a walk along the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. Led by an experienced safari guide and accompanied by an armed ranger, you will be able to take in the scale and beauty of the landscape from a different perspective.

More about Crater Rim Walk
100% (3 reviews)
Olmoti Crater walk

Olmoti Crater walk

Half day - two to three hour walk

Follow an ancient Maasai cattle trail on this private hike up the Olmoti Crater, led by an experienced guide and accompanied by an armed ranger. The crater may not compete in size with the neighbouring Ngorongoro Crater, but the birding is good, the mountain views wonderful, and the array of ferns is a botanist’s dream.

More about Olmoti Crater walk
90% (2 reviews)
Day Hike on Mount Kilimanjaro

Day Hike on Mount Kilimanjaro

Full day

Experience Africa’s highest mountain – in just a day. In the company of a private guide, hike through the forests of Mount Kilimanjaro’s western side to an altitude of 3,400m. From here, explore the Shira Plateau and its surroundings, perhaps spotting wildlife along the way.

More about Kilimanjaro Day Hike
Chimpanzee habituation experience

Chimpanzee habituation experience

One or two days

A chance to catch a glimpse of a unique group of chimpanzees that are in the process of being habituated on Rubondo Island. Trek, in search of these remarkably human-like creatures, follow their calls, and with luck spend some time watching them in their natural environment.

More about Chimpanzee experience
100% (1 reviews)
Balloon Safari over Ruaha

Balloon Safari over Ruaha

Three hours - one hour flight

Varied and scenically stunning, Ruaha National Park features rolling hills, woodlands, open plains and two wide meandering rivers: the Ruaha and the Mwagusi. What better way to view it than from the air, at sunrise? A balloon safari offers just this, the landscape unfolding below your basket as you float almost silently above.

More about Ballooning in Ruaha
100% (1 reviews)

Tanzania fact file

Useful information to help you prepare for your trip in Tanzania


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