Located just 45 minutes drive from Arusha, Arusha National Park is Tanzania’s most accessible park in more ways than one. It’s not only conveniently located, but it’s also the best place to embark on walking and canoeing safaris – putting you closer to the action than anywhere else in the country!
While Arusha National Park has no large predators, it is home to Africa’s largest giraffe population, a variety of primate species, and a number of large herbivores.
It’s the perfect day out for a family or those wanting something different from the standard game drive experience.
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Known For: Perfect for a day trip from Arusha, and a great place to mix a traditional game drive with a walking or canoeing component.
Arusha National Park is a perfect trip for day safaris, as it is close to both Arusha and Moshi. With terrain that ranges from open savannah to tropical rainforest, the park is dominated by the shadow of Mt. Meru – whose summit offers an unparalleled view of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
The park’s highlights can easily be seen in a single day, with a morning or afternoon game drive accompanied by either a walking safari or canoeing in Small Momella Lake where the hippos are at play.
Arusha National Park is also home to Africa’s largest giraffe population, and its diverse landscapes are also home to antelopes, buffalo, monkeys (including the blue monkey and the black and white colobus monkey), hyenas, and even the ever-elusive leopard.
After breakfast, you’ll depart from your Arusha or Moshi accommodations and drive to the park.
Your visit to Arusha National Park is a flexible one, as you’ll have three choices as to how you’d like to experience the park.
Game Drive: You can embark on a half-day or full-day game drive through the park. Your drive will pass you past park landmarks such as the Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater – sometimes known as ‘Little Ngorongoro’.
Canoe Safari: Available at extra cost, you’ll trade the car for a canoe as you take a guided canoe safari out on the Momella Lakes to see bushbuck, giraffes, hippos, and buffalo.
Walking Safari: Stretch your legs with a guided walking safari through the park. While on your walking safari, you can expect to see endless acres of forest, home to black and white colobus monkeys, zebras, buffalos, and a variety of antelopes. You will also have a chance to observe more than 400 bird species including the Crowned Eagle, Lanner Falcon, and Levelland’s Cuckoo.
You can combine the above three options as you please, although the canoe safari and walking safari both attract an additional cost.
You’ll return to Arusha in the late afternoon with a head full of memories and a camera full of unforgettable photos.
The Essence Of The Maasai Cultural Visit
Immerse yourself in authentic Maasai culture as you visit a traditional village, accompanied by an English-speaking guide who lives there himself, Find yourself in the midst of the daily hustle and bustle of local life as you witness the daily rituals of the Maasai. Once you have drunk your fill of this authentic cultural experience, you can choose to browse through the Maasai Craft Centre and purchase artifacts made by the people you encountered. All proceeds from this go directly to the community.
Living a semi-nomadic lifestyle, the Maasai tribe has modernized in some ways but still adheres to many aspects of their traditional culture. Established as fierce warriors, their lively cultural dance, vibrant clothing, and beautifully crafted handiwork are recognized worldwide.
The Maasai used to move nomadically with their herds to abundant lush pastures but these days they have built permanent huts or bomas and prefer to stay in one place. They are pastoralists and cattle are essential to their way of life. A man’s success is measured by the number of cattle and offspring he has. As great status and show of wealth the cattle are, they are also a vital food source. This glimpse of authentic Maasai culture is a fascinating experience of an ancient way of life that still flourishes today.
Hadzabe Cultural Visit
This day trip offers you a unique opportunity to visit the traditional homeland of the Hadzabe (or Hadza) peoples, one of the last surviving hunter-gatherer tribes in the world, and to meet their neighbors, the Datoga peoples.
You will learn about their traditions and daily life and have an opportunity to hunt with the men, practice your bow and arrow skills, walk with the women as they gather wild plant foods, and purchase crafts made by the families.
You will also have an opportunity to visit the world of the Datoga, another of Tanzania’s cultural groups, that practice the ancient art of blacksmithing. Watch as the men smelt metal and form it into arrowheads, utensils, and jewelry using age-old techniques, and visit their homes where the women will talk about their way of life.
Walking Boots, Training shoes, Water proof Jacket, Pants, Shirts, Trousers, Skirts, Socks, Gloves, Sun Hat, Balaclava / Woolen Hat, Gaiters, Thermal Underwear, Towel, Toiletries, Toilet Paper, Sun Glasses, Snow Goggles, Water Bottle, Walking Pole, Crampons, Torch / Flash light, Sun Cream/Sun block, lip salve, Whistle, Penknife, Day pack, Camera, Films, Emergency Foil Blanket, Four season Sleeping Bag, Heavy Duty plastic Bags, water Purification Kit and First Aid Kit.
