Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park has a significant variety of wildlife, but visitors shouldn't expect the same game-viewing experience they find in other national parks of Tanzania's northern circuit. In spite of the small size, common animals including the giraffe, Cape buffalo, zebra, warthog, the black-and-white colobus monkey, the blue monkey, flamingo, elephant, bushbuck and many other African animals can be spotted. Leopards, cheetahs, Wild dogs and hyenas are present in Arusha but can be seen very rarely.

An impressive number of blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys are present in this park and can't be found in any other region of northern Tanzania. Visitors can expect to see the Cape Buffalo, elephants, monkeys, baboons, warthogs, and a number of different antelope species in Ngurdoto Crater. Elephants, buffalo, colobus monkeys, the red duiker, suni, leopards, and even tree-dwelling pythons can be found in the heavily forested region of Tululusia Hill.

The best time to visit Arusha National Park is throughout the year – But in the dry season from June to October animals are easier to observe as they congregate near freshwater sources, rainfall is minimal, foliage is less dense and mosquito levels are reduced. In the Wet season (March to April), some of the roads might become difficult to navigate, which can interfere with your wildlife viewing experience.

The Arusha National Park and the Momella Lakes is the perfect place for bird-watching. The national park is inhabited by over 400 different migrant and resident bird species. The most famous bird species in the Arusha National Park are waterfowls such as little grebes, eagles, pochards, geese, hamerkop, red sharks, spurwinged goose, woodpeckers, herons, secretary birds, and grey parrots.

Arusha NP is perfect for birding year-round. Migratory birds from Europe and North Africa are present from November to April, and resident birds have their breeding plumage. For bird watching, this will be the perfect timing.

The best time to visit Arusha National Park is throughout the year – But in the dry season from June to October animals are easier to observe as they congregate near freshwater sources, rainfall is minimal, foliage is less dense and mosquito levels are reduced. In the Wet season (March to April), some of the roads might become difficult to navigate, which can interfere with your wildlife viewing experience.