Top Tourist attractions in Arusha National Park : Arusha National Park is a breathtakingly beautiful national park located in the northern part of Tanzania, near the city of arusha. The national park was established in 1960, the park covers an area of approximately 137 square kilometers and is compasses of diverse landscapes including Mount Meru a prominent volcano with an elevation of 4566 m, in the arusha region of north eastern Tanzania the second highest peak in the country after Mount Kilimanjaro, lush montane forest and grassy savannah. The park also has a wide variety of wildlife, its a popular destination for safari enthusiast. Visitors to arusha national park have the opportunity to see the Big Five animals such as lion, buffalo, leopard, elephant and rhinos and other wildlife like giraffes, warthogs, zebras as well as an abundance of bird species including ostrich, great crested grebe, flamingos, mourning collared dove, helmeted guineafowl, crested guineafowl, great cormorant, black-headed heron, secretary birds, osprey among others. However, this article details on some of the top tourist attractions found at Arusha National Park. They include;
Momella Lakes
Momella Lakes are one of the top tourist attractions found in the northeastern part of Arusha National Park. More so, the Momella Lakes are the highlights of the Easter section of Arusha National Park, covering the forest of Mount Meru. This cluster, consisting of seven alkaline lakes, was created around 250,000 years ago after a massive volcanic eruption blew off the top of Mount Meru. These lakes are popular spots for birdwatching in Tanzania, as they provide a habitat for many bird species, including the migratory greater pink flamingos. You can also find the greater pink flamingos, the lesser pink flamingos, pelicans, Egyptian geese, guinea fowls, African fish eagles, African jacanas, and among the local wildlife. The lakes are named Big Momella, Small Momella, El Kekhotoito, Kusare, Rishateni, Lekandiro and Tulusia. They are nourished by underground springs, resulting in a variety of water colors ranging from green to turquoise. Each lake has its unique color due to different minerals and algae, making them distinct from one another.
Ngurudoto Crater
Ngurudoto Crater is one of five stunning volcanic craters in the northern part of Tanzania, near Arusha. The others are Ngorongoro, Maasai, Empakaai, and Olmoti. Ngurudoto is about 300 meters deep and has a diameter of 3.2 kilometers. However, the floor of Ngurudoto is softer and otherwise unsuitable for driving on, leaving walking safaris as the only way of exploring it. The crater is surrounded by a rainforest that is teaming with wildlife.
Wildlife
Arusha National Park is among the best destination to visit during a Tanzania wildlife safari in the northern safari circuit of Tanzania. The incredible park is a home to a variety of wildlife species found in the various regions of the park such along the Ngurdoto crater region, along the banks of lake Momella and Ujambo Wa Mbogo regions among others. Arusha national park is a home to the world’s largest giraffe population. Other wild animals include; elephant, Cape buffalo, Warthog, bush pigs, waterbucks, bush bucks, duikers, dik- dik, spotted hyenas, leopards and lions. Black and white colobus and blue monkeys are residents in the park.
Fig Tree Arch
Fig Tree Arch, found in Arusha National Park, is a unique tree shaped like an arch, big enough for a tree or even an elephant to walk underneath. This fig tree is a great spot for photos, giving visitors many opportunities to take stunning pictures, whether they’re standing under the arch or peeking out from their safari vehicle while under the tree. The fig tree grew from a seed dropped by birds that feed on its fruit. Many hikers on their way to the Tululusia waterfalls make a stop to visit this amazing tree during their Tanzania safari.
Birdlife
Arusha National Park is one of a Tanzania birding safari destination boosting over 400 bird species recorded to live in the park, the birds in the park include forest species, raptors, water birds and migratory bird species. Some of the bird species that you may sport here includes great egret, ring-necked dove, black-bellied bustard, European nightjar, black-head heron, helmeted guineafowl, little bittern , red-chested flufftail, common swift, intermediate egret, African green pigeon, saddle-bill stork, crested francolin, crested guineafowl, grey heron, European white stork , cattle egret, laughing dove, abdim’s stock, sombre nightjar, common ostrich, white-faced whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, grey crowned crane , red-knobbed coot, lesser and great flamingos, hartlaub’s bustard, goliath heron, montane nightjar, maccoa duck, pink-backed pelican, red-eyed dove, woolly-necked stork , black heron, black-faced sandgrouse, Egyptian goose, dwarft bitter, Africa swift, Shelley’s francolin, vulturine guineafowl, yellow-throated sandgrouse, hamerkop, coqui francolin and little swift among others
Ngurudoto museum
The Ngurudoto museum is suited in the eastern part of Arusha National Park, right next to the Ngurudoto crater, surrounded by lush rainforest like vegetation. This museum was dedicated to showcasing the different types of animals that are found inside the Ngurudoto crater. It’s a great spot for learning about them before visiting the crater itself. Additionally, the museum has a gift shop, modern restrooms, a small parking area, and a ranger station nearby with living quarters. The area around it is home to several plant species, with some of these having a plaque on them detailing their information.
Uwanja wa Mbogo, or Buffalos Glade
Uwanja wa Mbogo, or Buffalos Glade, is found just a little west of the Momella gate in the northeastern part of Arusha National Park. This spot sits at the base of Mount Meru and is one of the first sights for hikers heading to the mountain’s summit, assuming they start their hike at the gate. It’s a popular area for buffalos, giraffes, and warthogs to gather and is also a great place for walking safaris. One of the fascinating about the glades is how the buffalos and warthogs coexist, each depending on the other to ensure survival. The warthogs use the buffalo biomass to ward off some of its natural enemies, in return they use their good eyesight to warn the buffalos of an impending enemy threat by running while holding their tails up in the air, a phenomenon that can be observed as one walks towards the glade. Additionally, as buffalos graze on long grass, they trim it down, making it easier for warthogs to feed while they eat resting on their knees.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru is a dormant stratovolcano located 70 kilometres west of Kilimanjaro in southeast Arusha Region, Tanzania. At a height of 4,562.13 metres (14,968 ft), it is visible from Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day, and is the fifth-highest of the highest mountain peaks of Africa, dependent on definition. the mountain is a prominent tourist attraction found within the park, that’s is a popular destination for hikes. It’s known for its striking cliffs, diverse wildlife and beautiful green surroundings. Mount Meru’s slopes are home to an impressive range of wildlife, including elephants, rhinos, giraffes, buffalos, antelopes, white colobus monkeys, and leopards and also boost over 400 bird species.
Besides the mentioned top attractions, there are also other Tourist attractions found at Arusha National Park such as Kilimanjaro view point (Arusha), Mini Serengeti and Cave waterfall among others.
