Tanzania's Arusha National Park

[Adventure Panorama Tours]

Arusha national park is the closest national park from Arusha town – northern Tanzania safari capital. Arusha National Park is a multi-faceted jewel, often overlooked by Tanzania safari lovers, despite offering the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of wild game within a few hours of game-drive.

The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and colourful turacos and trogons – the only place in the Tanzania northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen. In the midst of the forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, whose steep, rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalos and warthogs.

Further to the northern side of the park lie the rolling grassy hills, enclosing the tranquil beauty of the Momela Lakes, each one a different colour of green or blue. This is one of the best Tanzania adventure holidays that give you a chance to see thousands of flamingos, waterfowls, waterbucks, giraffes, zebra herds, and dik-diks.

Of all the “big five animals”, elephants and lions are not common in Arusha national park, but leopards and spotted hyenas can be seen during early morning hours and late in the evening. 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 away.

Mount Meru, the fifth highest in Africa at 4,566 metres dominates the Arusha national park’s horizon, with its peaks and eastern footslopes protected within the national park. Mount Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbour, while also forming a rewarding mountain hiking destination in Tanzania.

Passing first through wooded savannah where buffalos and giraffes are frequently encountered, the ascent of Mount Meru leads into forests aflame with red-hot pokers and dripping with Spanish moss, before reaching high open heath spiked with giant lobelias. Everlasting flowers cling to the alpine desert, as delicately-hoofed klipspringers mark the hike’s progress. Astride the craggy summit, Kilimanjaro stands unveiled, blushing in the sunrise and offers the best backdrop for photography during the safaris.

Adventures Panorama Tours :Titan Complex, Mezzanine Floor, Chaka road, Hurlingham    E-mail: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone] Mobile Phone Number: [phone], [phone].