Moshi, Kilimanjaro · Tanzania
Arusha & Arusha National Park
Tanzania Destination

Arusha & Arusha National Park

A convenient safari gateway with forest, lakes and Mount Meru scenery close to the city.

Destination Guide

Explore Arusha & Arusha National Park

A convenient safari gateway with forest, lakes and Mount Meru scenery close to the city.

Best time: Year-round.
Itinerary length depends on access, transfer time and the other destinations selected.
Wildlife, weather and marine conditions are natural and cannot be guaranteed.
Arusha & Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park

The Arusha national park covers Mt. Meru, a prominent volcano with an elevation of 4566m in the Arusha region of north eastern Tanzania. The park is small but has spectacular landscapes in three distinct areas. In the west, the Meru Crater funnels the Jekukumia River, the peak of Mt Meru lies on its rim. Ngurdoto in the south-east is grassland. Momella lakes in the north-east have varying algal colours and are known for their wading birds. Mt. Meru is the second highest peak in Tanzania after Mt. Kilimanjaro. It forms a backdrop to views from the park to the east. Arusha National Park lies on a 300km axis of Africa’s famous national parks, running from Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater.

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Mount Meru may be a dormant stratovolcano positioned 70 kilometres (43 mi) west Mt Kilimanjaro inside Tanzania. At a height of 4,562.13 metres (14,968 ft) and is that the fifth highest mountain in Africa. Mount Meru is that the topographic centerpiece of Arusha park . Its fertile slopes rise above the encircling savanna and support a forest that hosts diverse wildlife, including nearly 400 species of birds

First of all, you should know how to train for Kilimanjaro. The best thing to do is, start your training for Kilimanjaro 2-3 weeks prior departure to Kilimanjaro. The physical and mental fitness levels should be strong and determined. Try to do Fitness Training for Kilimanjaro like short hiking at any nearest hill for 2-3 days continuously. This will be a perfect fitness preparation for your body as it will get adjusted to the climbing. You can also try out Mount Meru as a practice trek once you reach Tanzania before climbing Kilimanjaro. This will help you with the proper acclimatization while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Day one of 5 Days Chogoria Route Down Naro Moru route, Pick up from your hotel in Nairobi at 7am to Chogoria town for an early lunch. After lunch, take a 4x4WD vehicle to the forest clearance, 16km from where the walk starts. You will walk for 16km through the forest along the dirt and sometimes very muddy road for 4hrs to reach Mount Meru Bandas at 2950m. Dinner and overnight at Mt. Meru Bandas.

Mount Meru is approximately 4615 meters above sea level. It does provide a climb that is spectacular. Actually this mountain is steeper than most of Kilimanjaro. Meru was at one time, taller than Kilimanjaro until it blew its top some 250 thousand years ago. This huge explosion left behind a huge caldera with a jagged rim. The walks are through forest and woodlands that offer an immense variety of wildlife such as monkeys, elephants, buffalo, giraffe and warthog. Mt. Meru is the second highest mountain in Tanzania and the fourth highest in Africa. It is located inside of Arusha National Park, a short distance from Moshi. A Meru climb is usually done with either a 3 or 4 day itinerary. It is popular as an acclimatization climb before Mt Kilimanjaro expedition or for those who do not have enough days to dedicate for a Kilimanjaro climb. It is a great experience on its own merit and offers some spectacular views.

Soon after breakfast we leave to drive to the start of our route on Mt. Meru. This takes approximately 2 hours from Moshi and travels through farmland and small communities on the edge of Arusha National Park. As we travel to the foot of the mountain there is a lot to see – examples of the local way of life, the alkaline lakes which are home to flamingoes and other water birds inside the park, and even giraffe near the road grazing. We arrive at the Momella park gate (1500m) and register while our porters sort their loads. We then enter the park with a National Park ranger who accompanies us throughout our time on the mountain and cross a small plain that is home to game including zebra, giraffe and elephant. Climbing gradually we enter the rainforest and can look out for bushbuck (a small antelope) and Colobus monkeys among the large cedar trees and glades of the forest. The relatively few trekkers on the mountain mean the camps are not overcrowded and we will perhaps not even encounter other groups during our trek. After around 4 hours walking, we arrive at Miriakamba Hut, with an elevation of roughly 2500 meters above sea level. From here, there are views of the lakes in the National Park. While on Mt. Meru, we stay in large wooden huts divided into small dormitories that are relatively comfortable.

After breakfast, take a 4x4WD vehicle to the forest clearance, 16km from where the walk starts. You will walk for 16km through the forest along the dirt and sometimes very muddy road for 4hrs to reach Mount Meru Bandas at 2950m for lunch and afternoon walks. Dinner and overnight at Mt. Meru Bandas, B,L,D

Get out of safari vehicle and stroll around the African soil that will offer you an absolute diverse feel of your surrounding. Whether you’re hiking through the wooded slopes close to Manyara, Arusha National Park, in the Serengeti or in the center of Tarangire National Park, a walking safari in Tanzania is undoubtedly the finest way to really soak up yourself in the African Bush. In fact, this is something that should be experienced firsthand! Our walking safari is the purest form of safari you can have. In fact, our walking safaris in Tanzania are absolutely diverse to game drives on a vehicle. On foot you’re a partaker in the world of wildlife instead of a spectator, which is a thrilling experience in itself.

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