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It would be an understatement to define a tour to Tanzania and Arusha National Park as just another vacation. It is an experience of a lifetime.
Arusha National Park offers a variety of things that make it an amazing vacation spot. You get to experience the different and unique landscapes- littered with coasts, national parks, valleys, plains, mountains, and of course the quintessential savannahs.
Arusha National Park is a gateway to Kilimanjaro and also a gateway to Serengeti. The sight of Kilimanjaro is a different experience altogether. Kilimanjaro, the pride of Tanzania, is remote and yet, accessible. Many people try hiking and climbing this mountain. Its snow-covered peaks lure every mountaineer who has a wild streak.
Mt Meru is an integral part of Arusha National Park. This active volcano dominates the vibe and ambience at Arusha and also contributes to the diversity in the ecosystem and landscapes, which range from alpine forests, acacia forests, open savannahs, etc. You can go on hikes and walks on Mount Meru.
Arusha National Park is a gateway to Serengeti, and Serengeti is an endless expanse of plains. The infinite-seeming plains of Serengeti offer solace and peace. Serengeti is also famous for the Great Migration.
Next you’ll be visiting Zanzibar, which is well-known for the calm its beachy waves can provide. The salt in the air, the coral reefs, the soft sand of the shore- Zanzibar is bound to steal your heart away.
You’ll spot lots of elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, wildebeests, the black and white colobus monkeys, etc on your trip to Arusha National Park. If you’re a bird-watcher or wish to start now, you’re in luck! Arusha National Park is a birder’s dream-destination; you’ll find greater and lesser flamingos, Hadida Ibis, helmeted guineafowl, silvery-cheeked hornbill, etc.
Come to Arusha and step inside a world of freedom, tranquillity and excitement!
OVERVIEW
Location:Tanzania
Nearest airport: Arusha. Kilimanjaro is the nearest international airport
How to reach: from Kilimanjaro by road or flight
Famous for: Mount Meru, scenic landscapes, views of Mount Kilimanjaro
Months open: All year
Best time to Visit: June to Oct
WHAT TO SEE
Mount Meru hikes, Guided nature treks, Ngurdoto Crater,
Game drives, Bird watching, Ngurdoto Museum
Lake Longil, Canoeing the Momella Lakes, Views of Kilimanjaro,
Tululusia Hill, Fig Tree Arch
Arusha National Park is an amalgamation of varied landscapes, like the open savannahs, acacia scrublands, rainforests and alpine ranges. Arusha also provides the beautiful backdrop of Mount Meru. The sightings and wildlife make for the perfect vacation for any nature enthusiast. Mount Meru has always been a tourist-favourite. It attracts a lot of hikers every year. This active volcano harbours antelopes, elephants, giraffes, etc, along with a wide variety of birds. Mount Meru allows lots of hiking, nature walks and guided nature treks. People often use the Mount Meru hiking experience as practice for Mount Kilimanjaro. The view at the top is, needless to say, incredible. You’ll have loads of fun trying to explore the landscape as well as the wildlife here.
Ngurdoto Crater is shaped in the form of a basin and has a distinct ecosystem. This caldera of an extinct volcano, present in Arusha, hosts buffalos, warthogs, herons, monkeys, baboons, goose, antelopes, leopards, etc. You can take guided nature treks around the rim of the crater and spot these animals and birds. The diverse wildlife and the unique sightings offer a memorable experience. Apart from Arusha being a gateway to Kilimanjaro, consisting of Ngurdoto Crater, or being a gateway to Serengeti, it also consists of Lake Longil- it’s only freshwater lake. It is a watering hole for herbivores who come here to rest and graze. The wildlife depends on watering holes such as these for a balanced ecosystem that offers respite.
Momella Lakes is a combination of seven lakes in total. While canoeing on one of the constituent Momella Lakes, you’re bound to catch a glimpse of dik-diks, zebras, waterbucks and giraffes. Apart from the wildlife, the scenic beauty is a major source of tourist attraction. Tululusia Hill is densely forested, with canopies in the sky, and it offers the perfect vantage point. You can go on a guided hike to the top of the hill and take in the view of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. The best part is that you’ll be able to see the majority of Arusha from up above the hill. It goes without saying that the view will be exquisite.
Irrespective of how humble the name sounds, the fig-tree arch is literally a massive arch created by a fig tree. It is so huge and accommodating, that even a car could pass through it without destroying anything.
Key Places to see:
You can visit the fig-tree arch and walk through it, go to the top of Tululusia Hill and look down to take in a different view of Arusha, go to the top of Mount Meru and get a clear view of Mount Kilimanjaro, visit the Crater, etc. Arusha also acts as a gateway to Kilimanjaro as well as a gateway to Serengeti; it’d be a great experience to visit these two tourist sites.
Things to Do:
Any African vacation is incomplete without game drives, safaris, nature walks, hikes, guided nature treks, etc. These will help you explore the wildlife in Arusha National Park, such as- zebras, colobus monkeys, hippos, buffalos, giraffes, wildebeests, elephants etc. You can also observe the birds in Arusha, such as- flamingoes, Augur buzzard, Verreaux’s eagle, pelicans, ducks, silvery-cheeked hornbill, herons, etc. You can also go on a cultural exploration tour or take a nice shopping trip around Arusha.
Where to Stay:
Accommodation suggestions include the Gran Melia Arusha and Arusha Planet Lodge. GranMelia Arusha isn’t just luxurious, it’s also elite. Spend your leisure time at the gateway spot for the best Tanzanian safaris. Arusha Planet Lodge is a paradise in the heart of Arusha. Nestled in the Arusha wilderness, it is the perfect place to spend your vacation.
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