SEEING THE SUNRISE FROM THE SOUTH, WHEN YOU ARE ON TOP OF MOUNT MERU!
The closest park to Arusha town — northern Tanzania’s safari capital — Arusha National Park is a multi-faceted jewel, often overlooked by safari-goers, despite offering 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. In the midst of the forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, whose steep rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalo and warthogs.
Farther north, rolling grass hills enclose the tranquil beauty of the Momella Lakes, each one a different hue of green or blue, 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 water’s fringes. Giraffes glide across the grassy hills between grazing zebra herds, while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart into the scrubby bush like overgrown hares on spindly legs.
Although elephants are uncommon in Arusha National Park, and lions absent altogether, leopard and spotted hyena may be seen slinking around in the early morning and late afternoon. It is also at dusk and dawn that the veil of clouds on the eastern horizon is most likely to clear, revealing the majestic snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro, only 50km (30 miles) distant.
But it is Kilimanjaro’s unassuming cousin, Mount Meru — the fifth highest mountain in Africa at 4,566 metres (14,990 feet) — that dominates the park’s horizon. Its peak and eastern foot slopes protected within the national park, Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbour, while being a rewarding hiking destination in its own right. The climb passes first through wooded savannah where buffalos and giraffes are frequently encountered. Astride the craggy summit, Kilimanjaro stands unveiled, blushing in the sunrise.
What to Do?
Forest walks and numerous picnic sites, or a 3–4 day Mount Meru climb — good acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro. The best time to climb Mount Meru is June to February, although it may rain in November. The best views of Kilimanjaro are from December to February. The park is about 137 square kilometres (53 square miles), located in northern Tanzania, northeast of Arusha town.
Accommodation
A luxury lodge, two rest houses, campsites and two mountain huts inside the park; two lodges at Usa River outside the park; and many hotels and hostels in Arusha town.
Getting There
The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited in the course of a half-day outing, at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari. Visit Momella Lake!
NOW IT’S YOUR TIME TO MAKE IT — WITH OBADIA TOURS & EXPLORER SAFARIS!