Your day begins in the morning when your Woodland Trek & Safaris driver guide collects you from your hotel or agreed pickup point in Arusha. After a short safari briefing, you begin the drive towards Arusha National Park.

The journey normally takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour and covers approximately 30 to 40 kilometres, depending on your starting point and the park gate used. As you leave the city, the scenery becomes greener, with views of farmland, villages, and the lower slopes of Mount Meru.

After completing the park entry formalities, your game drive begins through the forested areas of the park. This section is particularly rewarding for spotting blue monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys, along with numerous forest birds.

You will then continue towards the open grasslands and areas surrounding the Momella Lakes. These alkaline lakes create beautiful scenery and attract a variety of bird species. Depending on the season, you may see flamingos and other water birds feeding along the shallow edges.

The safari continues through different habitats where giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, warthogs, antelopes, and other wildlife may be seen. Arusha National Park is particularly famous for its large giraffe population, making it an excellent destination for close wildlife observation and photography.

Another important highlight is Ngurdoto Crater, a volcanic caldera surrounded by forest. From selected viewpoints, you may look down into the crater floor and appreciate the dramatic volcanic landscape.

A picnic lunch will normally be enjoyed at one of the designated areas inside the park, allowing you to relax while surrounded by beautiful scenery.

In the afternoon, you will continue exploring additional sections of the park before gradually making your way back towards the gate. Your driver guide will then transfer you back to Arusha, arriving at your hotel or agreed drop off point later in the day.

Main Experiences

• Full day Arusha National Park game drive
• Wildlife viewing
• Visit to the Momella Lakes
• Scenic views of Mount Meru
• Visit to Ngurdoto Crater viewpoints
• Primate viewing
• Birdwatching
• Wildlife and landscape photography
• Picnic lunch inside the park

Optional Extra Activities

Depending on availability and prior arrangement, additional activities may include:

• Guided walking safari
• Canoeing on the Momella Lakes where permitted
• Specialist birdwatching experience
• Extended photography session
• Cultural visit near the park
• Coffee tour
• Short Mount Meru foothills experience

Best Time to Visit Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park can be visited throughout most of the year.

The dry months generally provide easier wildlife viewing and comfortable road conditions, while the greener seasons transform the park into a particularly lush and scenic landscape.

Birdwatching can be rewarding throughout the year, with seasonal changes influencing the species and numbers present around the lakes and forests.

Morning departures are recommended so that you have enough time to explore the park’s different habitats before returning to Arusha.

What to Bring

For your Arusha National Park day safari, we recommend bringing:

• Comfortable lightweight clothing
• Closed walking shoes
• Hat or cap
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Camera or smartphone
• Binoculars
• Small day bag
• Insect repellent
• Light jacket
• Personal medication