Tanzania Safaris is a comprehensive Tanzania safari tour travel and information guide about Tanzania’s adventure travels, tours, holidays, affordable getaways to experience a once in a lifetime travel that touches something deep within you that will never be forgotten.
All Tanzania safari tours and wildlife are intriguing and exciting designed by an ultimate balance between the amazing wildlife and the fascinating landscape as well as the well cultured and hospitable Tanzanian people.
Tanzania is Africa’s visual masterpiece. It is a country of natural splendour, astounding wildlife, seductive beaches, charming ancient towns, archaeological sites and geological wonders. Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, rises from lush, grassy plains and towers over the land. Its snow-capped peak is a sight to behold. Climbing Kilimanjaro is surprisingly easy and standing on the roof of Africa is a life-changing experience. The ideal bush and beach destination, visitors can witness the mighty herds of the Great Migration thundering across the Serengeti plains and end their unforgettable safari with a serene beach holiday on Zanzibar, the nonintoxicating beautiful and exotic Spice Island.
Tanzania safari tours and travel guide, is renowned for offering some of the finest wildlife viewing holidays and tours in Africa. Its natural abundance of wildlife, along with the annual migration of millions of animals across its northern plains, make up a flourishing eco-system, which is now benefiting from the country’s historical strict conservation measures.
The country is also blessed with a winning combination of asuperb big game and astunning tropical beaches.
The vastness of the country helps thinking about tanzania’s holidays which falls into four areas, which includes; the famous northern circuit safaris, the wild parks of southern Tanzania remote safaris of the Western Tanzania and the beaches of the coast and islands, all these safaris combine with trips to the beach.
The Northern circuit safaris-Tanzania Safari tours and wildlife
This is the most popular safari in the circuit of Tanzania safari tours and travel guide containing all the must see destinations in the country. The safari starts from Arusha National park at the foot, joins Tarangire National park which is 110km southwest southwest of the town of Arusha, to Manyara Ranch between Tarangire National park and Lake Manyara national park at the bottom of Gregory Rift. It also includes Ngorongoro conservation area ( which comprises of Ngorongoro caldera, the empakaai crater and the Southern Serengeti plains of lake Ndutu) and Serengeti Natinal park stretching to the Kenya Tanzania border.
Experience an authentic Tanzania safari tour, even during peak times; it is possible to show you lions and the migration without many vehicles present. This vast plain is awitness to one of nature’s great spectacles: the Great Migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and other grazing animals seeking fresh grass — followed closely by Africa’s largest concentration of lion. Whether you’re a first-time Tanzania visitor or a seasoned safari-goer, the Great Migration is not to be missed.
The region is most visted for the big five game and features the iconic Wildebeest Migration and Africa’s tallest Mountain range “Kilimanjaro“. The spreading of Savannah plains, reserves teemed with African acacia woodland trees offers an excellent big game viewing opportunity in the bush.
Serengeti safaris-Tanzania safari tours and travel guide
Serengeti safaris is guaranteed to be an extra ordinary Tanzania safari tours and travel guide because of its fame for its incredible concentrations of predators and the great Serengeti migration of the Wildebeests in large numbers as well as the endless grassy plains at the national park, which make it the richest grazing ground on the continent and therefore a home to the largest herds and the highest concentration of predators in the planet.
The great migration of the wildebeest migration is the largest single movement of the wild animals in the world listed as one of its eighth Natural wonders and an exceptional inspiration for a dream Tanzania Safari tour and travel guide, with hundreds of thousands of zebras, elands, gazelles, topis,Buffalos, elephants hyrax, genet, hares, porcupine, aardvark, giraffe, jackal, mongoose, crocodile, monitor lizard, aardwolf, many kinds of primates including baboons, vervet and colobus monkeys, and over 500 species of bird. along with a trailing retinue of predators, leave their calving grounds in southern Serengeti, around March and April, heading for the next water source. Trekking via the south-central Seronera outskirts into the Western Corridor and Grumeti River arriving during the month of April to May and residing till June, and then finally towards the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya crossing the perilous Mara River around July or August on wards with a return via the same death-defying river, this time heading to the bearing of Lobo and Loliondo in eastern Serengeti around October to November. The Serengeti is typically an end point for the Northern Circuit Safari, and is remote, starkly beautiful and deserted in the areas we recommend.However the only activity at serengeti is the game drive. The Tanzania safari tour migration heavily depends on the dry and wet seasons of the year, hence as they reach and graze in Kenya during September and December again the wildebeests move back to Tanzania when grass is green and fresh.
Serengeti Tanzania Safari tours and travel game drives
The treeless plains, woodlands, riverine forests and rocky outcrops of Serengeti feature Africa’s largest and most diverse concentration of game, including about 70 species of larger animals, with the big cats in abundance, as well as more than 600 bird species that can be sighted with good binoculars.
The park is acclaimed for its excellent game drives which normally start at 6:00am or at 10:00am or even 1:00pm conducted on a4x4 wheel drive with an open roof or one can prefer to gaze through the window allowing you to photograph the ultimate wildgame, the scenic view . Get a rare chance to look at the big five mammals such as prides of lions, buffaloes, elephants, leopards and the rare Black rhinos which are rarely sighted due to their nocturnal nature and other mammals include eland, impalas, dik diks, warthogs and Oryx, and is a great place for viewing “the Big Five” – the five must-see animals for every African safari – while the famous “great migration” is a breathtaking spectacle that features more than two million animals on the move.
The time to visit and what to wear
Serengeti national park is visited in all seasons,but most visitors prefer the drier seasons,that is between June to October because of the great Wildebeest migration. Those who travel in the Wet seasons-between April and May, enjoy great discounts of the lodges in their safari packages
All visitors are urged to kindly pack; Warm clothing, walking shoes,stand-by medication kit, sun glasses, huts, cameras, and other film particulars.
Getting there
By air; The international airlines land at Kilimanjaro International airport near Arusha town,and the the internal charter flights connect from Arusha to seronera air strip near the park at $135 par person.
By road; Opting for road transportation is the best decision one can make in order to enjoy an awe-inspiring adventure driving along the land with beautiful scenery.Right from the drop at the airport, it will take about 6-8 hours drive to the park, passing through the iconic tourist features including the rift valley escarpments,Ngorongoro Conservation area and the surrounding farmlands and to the east of the Olduvai Gorge site gives insights to the history of human evolution footprints dated millions of years ago.A stop over can be made at Serinera and Lobo garage for refueling and other emergency like mechanical check up of the fleet as well as accomodation in the safari camps for an overnight stay,(only when given permission by the Tanzanian National parks Authority).
Balloon safari-Tanzania safari tours
Enjoy alife time thrilling adventure in the fantastic hot air balloon at the Serengeti plains and wildlife from above by a bird’s eye view. This safari activity is only available from the Seronera and Grumeti river regions. The balloon safari over the plains of Serengeti start at Sun rise and last for one hour which require passengers to be flexible, fit and above 7 years of age. At 6:30 am up to 09:30 am. As you lay down, you will find breakfast and champagne waiting for you, there after return to your camp for other activities.
Ngorongoro crater safaris-Tanzania safari tours
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) joins up with Serengeti National Park and the southern Serengeti Plains in the northwest. The south and west of the area are volcanic highlands, including the famous Ngorongoro Crater and the Empakaai Crater. The southern and eastern boundaries follow the rim of the eastern wall of the Rift Valley, which also prevents animal migration in these directions.
The beautiful, incredibly game-rich Ngorongoro Crater is the main feature of the region and is an iconic natural wonder of the world. The enclosed caldera is an ecosystem in itself within the greater Serengeti: the mineral-rich floor of the spectacular bowl is largely flat and covered in nutritious grasses, providing a paradise for herbivores and predators alike. The Big Five can all be found in the area, as well as an extraordinary concentration of predators.
While on a Tanzania safari tour to Ngorongoro, you will encounter dense populations of mammals including the critically endangered Black rhinos and African hunting Dogs, over 60 lions mostly found along the Ndutu crater area, buffaloes, and large herds of zebras, eland the largest antelope in Africa, and over 350,000 Thompson and grant gazelles. The equatorial rain forests encircling the rim of the Crater Lake are teemed with African leopards, jackals, and hyrax. Cheetahs as well as the reed bucks live in the forests. The area is also popular as a connecting zone for the great wildebeest migration which annually passes through the Tanzania safari park during December moving north words to the Kenyan Masai Mara reserve. This impressive diversity of mammals is due to the presence of varied ecosystems such as the highland rain forests, semi-arid vegetation, lowland grasslands that most grazers depend on for grazing.
Beyond the Ngorongoro Crater are the pristine and wild Crater Highlands. This striking range of largely extinct volcanoes is home to the Empakaai Crater, a smaller but equally impressive crater, famous for the thousands of pink flamingo that line the shores of the soda lake on the crater floor. Also in the area is the Olmoti volcano, home to abundant wildlife and a variety of exquisite flora and fauna. The NCA also encompasses the archaeological and palaeontological site located at Olduvai Gorge and the early human footprints that were discovered at Alaitole in the Ngarusi area.
The park is an important birding area because of the crater lakes in the conservation that attracts over 500 bird pecies with world’s largest bird “the ostrich”You can also sight other numerous water birds in your safari including the greater and lesser flamingos commonly found on Lake Magadi within the crater and white pelicans. Besides the diversity of wildlife, the park is a home to the unique cultures of Masai people; responsible visitors can explore the traditional cultural experience of the Masai living in scenic pastoral communities along the boundaries of the park.
How to Get to Ngorongoro crater-Tanzania safari tours
From Arusha- the starting point of most safaris, it only takes a 3 hours drive to the crater .You will be able to drive around the whole circuit, and it is always obvious that the tour guide will handle all your safari details, right from airport pick up to your ground and domestic details.
On the other hand you can use aflight to Asrusha, that is.Fly from Kilimanjaro or Julius Nyerere international airport to Arusha airport which is located just outside Arusha town.
Best time to visit Ngorongoro crater-Tanzania safari tours
Just like other destinations where there is optimum game viewing experience,Ngorongoro crater can be visited all year round.Most vistors on a tanzania safari tour usually prefer the high seasons between July to September or December to February since they are the dry seasons in Tanzania(high visitor numbers are expected).For those who want to have the crater for themselves prefer the rainy season between April and May when the crater is fully covered with green lush blanket
What to pack for your Tanzania safari tour
Ofcourse for every trip, there must be afew things one needs to pack so as not to get offguard. As for Ngorongoro, you need afew options things to consider when packing which include;
- A bag- big enough to carry about 70 litres of water and food
- Toiletries and medical supplies, such as tissue, bandages, repellants, anti bacterial cream, sun-screen among others
- Quick dry t-shirts and shorts
- Camping, beach, outdoor gear.eg ground mat, tents, sleeping bag for those who will take on the camping activity.on the other hand, you may do without it,if your tour operator provides
- Photo equipments like a camera with a long lasting battery, and a large storage media
What to do while on a Ngorongoro Tanzanian safari tours
Game drive
You will either go for a morning or afternoon game drive at the crater because it takes quite a long period per day. You will be driven down the crater through lush highland forest enjoying sights of rich birdlife and thrilling discovery of large variety of grazing herbivores and predators lingering around the prey. You may also see a huge flock of pink flamingos around the shores of lake Magadi depending on the time of the year as hippos inhabit the surrounding swamp
Crater view walk
This walk is very popular where guests get along the Western rim of the Ngorongoro crater in the afternoon allowing you to experience various natural habitats like open grasslands, thick lush forests and Acacia woodland.There are high opportunities of encountering with masai with their cattle en route, mountain white eye and schalow’s wheat ear and other bird types such as;golden winged sunbirds,mountain buzzard, white eyed slaty flycatcher and many more.
Hike the Empakaai crater
This energetic full day hike experience will start from the beautiful forests that encircle the Empakaai crater to the fabulous birdlife,impressive strangler figs.Vivid bird watchers will have avariety such as; the Grey-headed Negro Finch,crowned eagles,Barred tailed trogon, Greator and Lesser Flamingo and steppe eagles.
Visit to the Olduvai Gorge and Shifting sands tour;
Lookig for an unforgettable experience in the wild? Then think no further than the olduvai Gorge- amust go to destination which will get you to your toes so as to feel the ectasy and amazing adventure.
Olduvai Gorge mostly known as home of the most primitive remains of homosapiens is an archeological site and cradle of mankind.From here you will then move to the crescent shaped volcanic ash ridges famously identified as shifting sands that amazingly creep athwart the desert the desrt ground in response to the prevailing winds.
Bushmen Experience with the Tanzania safari tour guide
The Bushmen inhabit the land near Lake Eyasi and these are one of the few remaining people whose tradition whose tradition and culture remain crude and untouched.This is afascinating cultural heighlight offered to guests visiting the crater where you will see the unchanged traditional way of life as well as the obvious harmony with the earth is spellbinding. In the company of aguide you will engage with te Bushmen and learn all you can about their survival skills, time-honoured hunting tactics,cultural norms and their kitchen secrets.This undeniably authentic cultural journey into the rural Tanzania is averitable step back in time that every one out to encounter.
The Drummers
Feel the rhythm of true African voice that is unique and experiencing it firsthand is one unforgettable things you can do for yourself.Agroup of local drummers entertain guests with the unique culture and skills.The melodic drive from a unique instrument will get you to your feet in no time.This an out door activity entirely depends on the weather and may require an extra charge.
Tarangire safaris-Tanzania safari tours and wildlife
Tarangire National park is is justly famed for its attracting large herds of elephants and Zebras yet is one of tanzania’s most interesting Park,although less visited.It is overlooked in the country’s northern safari circuit and also by the dramatic escarpment ascending to the Ngorongoro crater.It also makes a fabulouse introduction to Tanzania’s diverse peoples, landcapes, wildlife and acient towering baobab trees that leave you in an awe with its strange andunusual beauty.
Tarangire National Park covers an area of 2600km2, between the plais of the Maasai steppe to the south East and the Lakes of the Great Rift Valley to the north and West.The perennial Tarangire River which dominates the Northern part of Tarangire flows through increasingly incised ravines until it leaves the North-western corner of the park to flow into lake Burungi .A series of of large swamps which dry into verdant plains during the dry season are situated in the south.
If Tarangire is one of your choices amongst your destinations list, then we recommend spending afew days in the south of the Park, which gets few visitors and retains areal air of wilderness.
Animals
The Game at Tarangire varies with seasons in that most of the animals leave th parkfrom November to May. Herds of the wildebeest and Zebra need north-West onto the floor of the rift valley, whereas many animals disperse across the vast open areas of Maasai steppe.The game then returns to Tarangire’s swamps in the drier seasons from the month of June and October which is the best season for game –viewing safari in Tarangire which can be excellent.
The area is famous for its large population of elephants where herds of up to 600 can be seen at a time. The park is also home to lion, leopard, wildebeest, zebra, waterbuck, hartebeest, giraffe, kudu and oryx with their fantastic lengthy horns. The Tarangire is a haven for bird enthusiasts with more than 550 species of birds. A common sighting here is the yellow-collared lovebirds in the trees along the Tarangire River
Best time to visit Tarangire National park
The visitors are advised to visit the park during the peak season, within the months of July to October because it is the time when most wildlife storm the permanent waters of River Tarangire which is not the case during low seasons(wet season). Several of these animals include; African elephants, Zebras Giraffes, species of antelopes, warthogs which can easily be seen on a safari game drive
Getting there
There are four routes that lead to most parts of the parks that provide the best viewing option for the game.that is
The Lemiyon route; Features the park headquarters and campsites in the northern part of park.The route offers a chance to explore the charming herds of mammals encountered during the dry seasons.The look out tress with hollow sections inside provides majestic experience of sleeping inside the tree in the heart of the wilderness.
The Gursi and Lamarku routes;-in the southern part and it passes through large tracts of open grasslands where hippos can be seen.several water pools at the extreme southern end attract various birds and fortunate visitors might encounter cheetahs.
The western lake Barungi which proves to be quite long but on the other side an important spot of the nocturnals leopards and the endangered black Rhinos.The route passes through a group of 250 species of scrubs and the extra-ordinary picturesque lakeside views that disappear in the rolling hills.
The kitibong hill route offers hiking around the kitibong hill all dominated by acacia woodlands and flood plains down the hill are good points for spotting elephants and buffalos.
Lake Manyara safari tours-Tanzania safari tours and wildlife
Lake Manyara is situated just 126km West of Arusha in Northern Tanzania.It stretches along the scenic and steep rift valley escarpments measuring spaning upto 600 meters high with large expanses of water grounded forests, narrow beltsof Acacia woodlands straddling across jagged blue volcanic peaks with bubbling hot spring steams adjacent to lake Manyara scrub from which the park was named.
Two thirds of lake Manyara is covered by water, and just like other lakes in the rift valley floor, lake Manyara is also salty.The first parts of the park from the entrance gate is between forests and averiety of palm trees with dense forests consisting of Mahogany trees characterized by thick undergrowth of wildflowers that are mostly inhabited by monkeys,large groups of baboons and colorful butterfly varieties along the ground water springs that keep them thick and ever green.
The grassy floodplain is acontrasting intimacy of the forest and its expansive views eastwards, across the alkaline lake to the jagged blue volcanic peaks that rise from the endless Maasai steppes. Wildbeests, herds of Zebras, large buffalos congregate on these grassy plains as do the giraffes though some of them appear to be black from adistance.
A narrow belt of acacia woodland is a favoured haunt of Manyara’s legendry tree-climbing lions and impressively tusked elephants. Squadrons of banded mongoose dart between the acacias, while the diminutive kirk’s dik-dik forages in their shade. Pairs of klipspringer are often seen on the rocks above a field of searing hot springs that steems and bubbles adjacent to lakeshore in the south of the park.The lake also provides an ideal introduction to Tanzania’s birdlife, in that about 400 species have been recorded and any tourist can be able to spot atleast 100 birds aday, which include;large water birds, such as pelicans, cormorants,storks, a well as thousands of pink-hued flamingoes on their perpetual migration.
The ativities include; ggamedrives, canoeing, cultural tours, mountain bike tours, abseiling and forest walks on the Escarpment outside the park.
When to visit
Lake Manyara national park like other parks can be visited all year round, although it has two seasons whereby most tourists prefer the peak season which is always dry for an ideal wildlife viewing which runs from late June to September, except for the low seasons between late March and May.
March and April are the peak rainy seasons, whereas from June to October, there are low rains and have the best weather and time to go viewing the game.In the high season, the northern section of the park is over crowded especially in the mornings, that is; from July to early March.
The animals gather a round water sources within vegetation where they are easier to find because there are little rains and lots of sun with few mosquitoes thus few chances for contracting malaria.However warm clothes are highly recommended to be carried for the game drives since it always tends to get cold in the mornings, right from June through August
During the low seasons, the rates are generally low,whilst the scenery becomes green and abundant as the place is less crowded, yet Lake Manyara still provides good viewing throughout the year although viewing is much easier during dry season.The wet season is also the best season for bird viewing because various migratory birds are found during the wet season.
All through the year, it is very easy to access this park, but it is usually best during the dry season, in the months of July to October which is the best for large mammals, where as the best time for birds is the wet season, between November to June.
Getting there
Lake Manyara is sitiated just about a 1 ½ hours drive from Arusha. some of the northern parts of the park usually get buzy especially during the afternoons.
From Arusha a road safari takes you about 1 to 2 hours to get to the entrance gate. The whole of the access road is surfaced while the inner roads may require you to use a good 4 wheel drive and a very good clearance. You may use the arranged charter flights or the bus especially while going to the gateway of Mto Wa Mbu village.
What to do
Game drives
Why anight game drive at Lake manyara National Park, yet its prohibited in Tanzania?
Lake manyara national park brings a different perspective of a whole new world of animal species that awaits you on a night game drive, Due to its ideal location, the area and is said to have 11 different systems, which includes; the rift valley cliffs, ground water forest, the dry Tarangire system and the Ngorongoro highlands as it is also referred to as a melting sport for all types of animals an plants.
Lake Manyara has agood water reliability all year round and the animals are in prime condition making wildlife viewing easy because most animals at the park are generally active and seen at night, such as;Porcupines, genets and civet cats are frequent visitors to the forest,Hippo’s large number of leopards and Lion sightings which are more common. Each morning and afternoon set off in the company of your guide and tracker in an open 4×4 safari vehicle with a canvas canopy. Together you will explore the diverse habitats of the park, stopping on the lakeshore to admire the different bird species and look for pink flamingo. You will traverse a mosaic of acacia woodlands, grassy floodplains and tall forest in search of wildlife, including Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions, which may be spotted resting in favoured spots and large family herds of elephant.
The game drive starts at 7:30pm whereby you will be introduced to your guides who will brief you about your night safari due to take place in the next hour.the drive then kicks off at 8:00pm from where you head down into the thick ground forest of lake Manyara where you are likely to encounter,porcupines, genets, civets and head down following the simba river to find hippo pools as you are lucky enough to see beasts grazing on the side of the road finally drive back to the gate at around 10:30pm. You will either be dropped at the gate to be collected by your safari driver or at your lodge for collection.The night safari will give you an entirely different perspective of the park and wildlife.
Bird watching in Lake Manyara national park
Tanzania’s birdlife has been idealically represented in the park due to the 400 bird species that has been recently recorded, whereby even a firstime visitor can be able to sport about 100 birds in aday.some of the highlight birdspecies include; thousands of pink colored flamingos during their continuous migration, together with other big birds associated water include the: storks, pelicans plus cormorants. Black heron,the Common Little bee-eater,the Common Martial eagle,the Common Silvery-cheeked hornbillGlossy ibis, and theBaglafecht weaver,Some of the specials,Abdim’s stork,African fish eagle,African grey hornbill,African jacana.African spoonbill,Baglafecht weaver.Great white pelican,Greater flamingo,Grey crowned crane.Hamerkop, among others
Although bird watching is great all year round, the finest time for watching birds inside lake Manyara is from the beginning of November to the end of April, as you will be able to see various migrant species coming from Europe as well as the Northern part of Africa. Also during this time the resident species begin nesting therefore it is really easy to see the birds while in breeding plumage. For game viewing, we recommend that you visit during the dry season (starting in June, July, August, September and October.
Canoeing at Lake Manyara
For those interested in the sailing activity, it can be combined with agame drive so as to enjoy a full day viewing different kinds of game both in water and land since a vehicle will be available inside the park..The tour includes picnic lunch and snacks as applicable.Boat canoeing takes the longest hours since it’s the main activity and the park’s main attraction where you get to explore nature and wildlife on a canoe.
You will set off early in the morning at 07:00 am or 02:00 pm in the afternoon depending on your interest. Slowly you will paddle on the waters as you watch elephants, giraffes, buffalos graze and wallow in the shoreline muddy waters. Lots of hippos can also be seen as you approach the deep end of the lake with less or no threat of hippo attacks. As you enjoy the magnificent lakeside sceneries, several species of water birds with flamingos mainly dominating the surface of the shallow waters can be sighted. The lake hosts more than 400 species of birds and your guide will tell you to stop paddling as you keenly watch many species including pelicans, cormorants and storks.
Cultural safaris-Tanzania safari tours
Take advantage and visit the Karatu local villages and markets situated in a cool mountain valley between lake Manyara and Ngorongoro crater lake to get an insight into Tanzania’s local setting and history of the park around the Karatu village.More will be achieved within the 2 ½ hours walk because you will learn and meet new people and enjoy the scenic agricultural landscapes. Visitors can visit traditional homes of the Maasai women commonly known as the Enkaji which are circular in form as well as getting a chance to participate in the traditional food making or purchase their jewelries with other handicrafts offered for sale
Mountain biking safaris-Tanzania safari tours and worldlife
Are you curious? , Come explore Tanzania on a Tanzania Cycling Safari! Escape your dreary winter and experience the sunshine of Tanzania on a two-wheel bicycle! Imagine incredible lush green passes, wildlife next to your wheels, and local culture on the journey.
The biking ride to the floodplain is areal adventure as you follow animal trails from Maramboi Lodge to the shores of Lake Manyara, then to the shore.The game trails are smooth and make easy riding as well as bike besides flocks of Flamingoes and pelicans.The ride gives some of the best views of the beautiful birds whilst the floodplains next to the lake is also generally thronging with Wildebeest, giraffes, Zebras among others making it an awe-inspiring experience.
When descending from the rift wall makes you experience local culture from the bike ride through ground water forest and amongst small herds of wildlife on the lake shore.The traditional lunch is also included.
End your adventure, riding back to the Manyara tree lodge once you have made your way through the unforgettable mountain cycling trip.
Arusha National park safaris-Tanzania safari tours and wildlife
Arusha National park is one of the smaller and most stunning National Parks in Tanzania.With an area of 137 square kilometers,the park is very popular for day trips because of its four distinctive features of;Momella lakes,the highland montane forest, Ngurdoto crater and the rugged mount Meru. 
The park boasts abroad variety of landscapes, ranging from open savannah through scrubland to rainforest and finally to the alpine conditions on the higher reaches of mount Meru
Although it is situated 37km from Arusha town,it becomes the home to the world’s largest population of Giraffes, making it a great place to visit for fans of the the long-necked,beautiful animals.One of the unique attractions of the park is to combine game dives and nature walks in various places where tourists can leave their safari fleets and walk in the fresh air.
Located just ashort drive from Arusha and Moshi, there are lots to see such as the diverse wildlife that includes herbivores such as elephants, hippos,buffalos,Zebras andthe occasional wildebeests, Arusha national Park is also a perfect place to get out and stretch your legs with both walking safaris and canoe safaris that is available within the park.
The most common animals found in this park are the Abyssinian black and white colobus monkeys, the Vervet monkeys, the red forest duikers, hippos, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, bushbucks and sometimes the leopard. More than 400 species of birds have been recorded in the park including Eurasian migrants, which can be seen between October and April. Mount Meru 4575 m can be scaled in three to four days, with overnight accommodation in alpine huts on your way up and down.
Best time to visit
As you plan your trip, consider the best time suitable for your holiday vacation and your comfort.The park is ideal all year round for birding, especially between November and April when migratory birds from Europe and North Africa and the local birds have their breeding plumage on display.
The best time time to visit Arusha National Park is during the dry season, that is between June and October where game viewing is at its best and more wildlife gathered at the watering hole, rainfall is minimal, foliage is less dense and mosquito levels are reduced.
The dry season has slightly cooler temperatures with sunny clear skies, whereas January and February are usually dry but sometimes sees sporadic rain. January and February are also semi-dry months as they are set in between the two rainy season.
Arusha National Park’s wet season offers mild temperatures that are similar to that of the dry season. The long rains fall between March and May and generally bring a lot of cloud cover. The short rains fall between November and December, although they are unpredictable and rarely all throughout the day.
During the wet seasons, there is abundance of birdlife but the land fauna tend to remain deeper in the vegetation where water and dietary foliage is plenty so more days are required in the park, but in the dry season, the animals are in the more open, less dense areas especially in expanses near water sources.
If you want to capture iconic images of the wildlife on your first time stay during your travels in Arusha, the best time to visit Arusha National Park is during the dry season.
Getting there
Its only a40 minutes drive to the park from Arusha town and about an hours drive from Kilimanjaro international airport.Most visitors always start from here because it’s the starting point for most safari tours in Tanzania featuring gameviewing to the Northern Tanzania tourist area. Direct flights to the Kilimanjaro international airport becomes easier since the airport is just 46km from the park.
However Tanzania remains the best country for wildlife safari tours in East Africa and Africa as a whole.It is therefore interesting if you combine your Tanzania safari with that of Uganda and Rwanda or Congo.
What to do
Game drives
The game drives normally last for 4 hours to explore the frequently used routes.The tour operator or guide will take you to the wildlife hit spots where most of the animals that shy away from the most traffic routes can be spotted.
Arusha is a home to groups of forest elephants, buffalo herds, water and bushbacks,duikers and dik-diks. Some of the predator animals are also available such as spotted hyenas,leopards and plants. The major attraction is the large number of primates especially the black and white Colobus and the shining Sykes monkeys, which are very likely to be seen on a game drive or a walk in the park.
There are no lions in this park, and leopards are present, but not often spotted. These are elusive cats and do not often come out to hunt until dark. Arusha National Park offers more of a peaceful environment with less of the thrill of big game viewing.
Continue to awesome sights by the side of beautiful Momella lakes and take in views of mount Meru and the snow capped Kilimanjaro peaks from a distance. Zebras, giraffes and spotted hyenas are often spotted traversing near by the lake.
The guide shall explain to you the varied species of plants and animals as you admire the scenic landscapes on the way to Ngurdoto crater, a dormant volcano with dense rain forests and an enclosed marsh like swamp between the rift valley cliffs. Large mammals are often seen including elephants, buffalos, forest warthogs that inhabit the forests.
Hiking Mount Meru
Climbing to the summit of Mount Meru requires 3-4 days with amaximum of 3 nights on the mountain because the hikers have to ascend upto 1000m/3300 ft per day but usually the third night does not provide enough time to acclimatize to the height
Mt Meru is located 50 miles West of Mt Kilimanjaro.It is situated in the heart of Arusha National park reaching 14980 feet.The hike serves as an ideal warm up for Mount Kilimnjaro
This massive volcanic mountain is at a high altitude of 4,565 meters above sea level. Climbers must be reasonably fit to under take the activity.
Through the changing vegetation zones right from the rain forests, the moorlands to the alpine and desert like top of the mountain gives a soothing hiking experience on Tanzanian second tallest mountain range. On top of Tanzania safari tourists will be mesmerized by the stunning views of the horse-shoe shaped crater lake and the steep ridges offers great photographic opportunity for hikers,due to its altitude acclimatization and hiking distance, but also geared towards hikers who prefer less crowds and a challenging ascent.
Because of the wide range of wildlife living on the mountain, hikers must climb under the guide of an armed ranger and are likely to encounter elephants, giraffes, and Buffaloes on the lower slopes of the mountain. The trail follows the North rim of the volcano’s crater along the dramatic ridge line as hikers continue with their ascents. The hikers sleep in designated huts along the trail. The hikers reach the summit as the sun is rising and will always experience spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro and of Mount Meru crater.
The best time to climb the mountain is between December – February and June when the skies are much clear and you might see the far Kilimanjaro mountain. There are designated huts along the hiking trails where visitors stay for overnights during their massive climbing journey.
Horseback riding
We have watched most legendry movies and enjoyed the horseback rides, but now our own east African country-Tanzania has it all for you to enjoy and experience the real ride in Arusha national park.
The ride may take 5-7 hours passing through hidden trails with large herds of big five mammals passing by the trails but on a relatively safe distance. The ride is truly special in that you encounter many animals as well as looking onto the world’s famous Mount Kilimanjaro and its neighboring dormant volcano, Mount Meru
Horse riding safaris give you the ultimate outdoor feeling of being in the wild, as you dive into the world of hunters and actors and follow their footsteps tracking buffalo, elephant, giraffe and more on horseback. The park´s dense vegetation hosts great numbers of big game, several primate species including the black & white colobus monkey, flamingo and numerous birds. Elephant are present and we often use their paths during our riding safari.
Momela lakes Canoeing-Tanzania safari tour
The Momella lakes,situated in Arusha National Park are a collection of multiple lakes.The underground water channels mostly feed the lakes and the water level tables are supported by rainfall at various times of the year.The water feeding into the lake is rich in Minerals of varying types allowing various types of birdlife to be attracted to the lakes such as;Flamingoes,Egyptian geese herons,little grebes and much more.
Enjoy a peaceful and scenic canoeing safari experience following the shore lines of small Momella lake.You will encounter buffaloes, bush buck,giraffes, hippos and many water birds within and close to the water on your 2 and 1/2 hours canoe safari. Tanzania safaris on canoe usually commence early morning at 07:30 am or in the evening at 16:00 hours and it can last from 2 to 2 ½ hours.