Arusha National Park
Tanzania
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The Vertical Wilderness
A landscape of dramatic transitions. Within its 137 square kilometers, you’ll find the Ngurdoto Crater (a miniature, swamp-filled version of Ngorongoro), the shimmering Momella Lakes, and the cloud-grazing summit of Mount Meru. On a clear day, the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro rises like a ghost on the horizon, providing the most iconic photographic backdrop in East Africa.
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What to expect
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The Colobus Connection: This is the best place in Tanzania to spot the striking Black-and-White Colobus Monkey. Watching these “forest acrobats” with their long, flowing white tails leaping through the ancient mahogany canopy is a highlight of any visit.
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A World Without Lions: Interestingly, there are no lions here. While that sounds unusual for a safari, it creates a unique atmosphere where giraffes, zebras, and buffalos roam with a different kind of grace. It also makes this one of the safest and most rewarding parks for walking safaris.
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The Kaleidoscope Lakes: The Momella Lakes are a series of seven alkaline bodies of water, each a slightly different shade of blue or green due to their unique mineral content. They are a magnet for thousands of flamingos, creating a vibrant pink “mirror” against the green hills.
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Mount Meru’s Shadow: The park is dominated by the 4,566-meter Mount Meru. Its horseshoe-shaped crater and sheer “ash cone” make it one of the most beautiful volcanic peaks in the world.
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Arusha Coffee Lodge
Koroi Forest Camp
Itikoni Seasonal Camp
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Tucked into one of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantations. It’s the height of colonial-style luxury, perfect for those who want a “soft landing” into Africa.
Koroi Forest Camp
A quilt of natural habitats puzzled together between the towering peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru, playing host to a unique blend of biodiversity and wildlife. This dramatic landscape is shaped by the ash cone and cliff faces of Mount Meru that frames the park’s volcanic crater lakes and calderas.
Itikoni Seasonal Camp
For those who want to be truly immersed, this tented camp on the slopes of Mt. Meru offers an authentic “bush” feel under the forest canopy.
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The Guided Walking Safari: Accompanied by an armed ranger, you can walk among herds of buffalo and giraffe. It is a sensory experience where you smell the wild sage and hear the crunch of the earth beneath your boots.
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Canoeing the Momella Lakes: Drift silently past pods of hippos and hundreds of waterbirds. There is no better way to appreciate the tranquility of the park than from the waterline.
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The Ngurdoto Crater Rim Drive: Wind your way through the rainforest to look down into the “Lost World” of the crater floor—a swampy sanctuary for buffalo and warthog.
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Mount Meru Trekking: For the adventurous, a 3 or 4-day climb to the summit of Meru serves as the ultimate “warm-up” for Kilimanjaro or a stunning stand-alone feat.
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