ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK
Arusha National Park is a relatively small park, covering
an area of 137 square kilometers (52.9 square miles), and
lies near the town of Arusha. The town and the Park derive
their name from the Warusha people who traditionally lived
in this area. However the Park also overlaps into areas where
the Maasai lived and most of the place names in the Park are
of Maasai origin.
Three distinct areas are to be found within Arusha National
Park: Ngurdoto Crater, the Momela Lakes and the rugged Mt.
Meru. Altitudes range from 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) above
sea level at Momela to over 4,500 (14,764 feet) meters at
the summit of Meru. The vegetation which occurs in the Park
is correlated to the altitude and geology of the area. Ngurdoto
Crater is surrounded by forest whilst the crater floor is
a swampy area. The Momela Lakes, like many in the Rift Valley,
are alkaline, and Mt. Meru is a mixture of lush forests and
bare rocks.
Associated with these different vegetation zones and places
are different types of animals: migrating water birds settle
on the lakes, waterbuck and reedbuck are found near water,
while shy bushbuck and duikers keep to the forested areas.
It is obviously impossible to say exactly where different
species will be encountered but it is possible to build up
a picture of the most likely species to be found in any area.
Within this wide range of habitats almost 400 species of birds
have been recorded in the Park. Some of these are migratory
and present between October and April, others are permanently
resident in the forests.
Arusha National Park is situated in a densely inhabited part
of Tanzania, where demands for land are high, and parts of
the Park are already bordered by agricultural settlement.
Plans to extend the Park to include surrounding forest reserves
have been formulated to ensure the long-term survival of forest
habitats and their associated species within the Park. Arusha
National Park is one of the most beautiful wilderness areas
in Tanzania, located just 32 kilometres (20 miles) from Arusha
town aside from the abundance of wildlife, fauna and flora.
Attractions.
There are three spectacular features evident in the Park;
the Momela Lakes and the Meru and Ngurdoto Craters. Both the
spectacular Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru can be seen from
the Park during fine weather. 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 warthog.
Further north, rolling grassy hills enclose the tranquil beauty
of the Momela 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 watery fringes. Giraffes glide
across the grassy hills, between grazing zebra herds, while
pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart into scrubby bush like overgrown
hares on spindly legs.
Although elephants are uncommon in Arusha National Park, and
lions absent altogether, leopards and spotted hyenas may be
seen slinking around in the early morning and late afternoon.
It is also at dusk and dawn that the veil of cloud 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 in Africa at 4,566 metres (14,990 feet)
– that dominates the park’s horizon. Its peaks
and eastern footslopes protected within the national park,
Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbour, while
also forming a rewarding hiking destination in its own right.
Passing first through wooded savannah where buffalos and giraffes
are frequently encountered, the ascent of Meru leads into
forests aflame with red-hot pokers and dripping with Spanish
moss, before reaching high open heath spiked with giant lobelias.
Everlasting flowers cling to the alpine desert, as delicately-hoofed
klipspringers mark the hike’s progress. Astride the
craggy summit, Kilimanjaro stands unveiled, blushing in the
sunrise.
The forests contain a wealth of birds and other animals, like
the beautiful bushbuck easily glimpsed in the grades between
the ancient cedar trees, or the black and white colobus monkeys
climbing along their branches. The interesting geology of
the area is reflected in the impressive view of the ash cone
and cliff face leading to the summit of Mt. Meru.
Everywhere throughout the Park there are chances to observe
the natural world at its own pace, to see different animals
in there are various habitats and absorb something of the
serenity of the surroundings. Those who ascend the summit
of the mountain will be rewarded with unparalleled views of
the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Rift Valley.
Access
The park is only 40-minute drive from Arusha, approximately
60 km (35 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Tourist’s activities
Forest walks, numerous picnic sites; three- or four-day Mt
Meru climb - good acclimatization for Kilimanjaro.