Three ecosystems in one day — volcanic crater, painted lakes, and ancient forest alive with colobus monkeys. Thirty minutes from town, a world away from everything.
Arusha National Park packs three distinct ecosystems into a single, unforgettable experience
A perfectly formed volcanic crater cloaked in dense rainforest. Unlike its famous cousin, no vehicles descend here — the crater floor remains one of Tanzania's most pristine wildernesses, home to buffalo herds, bushbuck, and troops of baboons observed from panoramic rim viewpoints.
Seven alkaline lakes, each a different shade of emerald, turquoise, and jade, fringed by thousands of flamingos and over 400 species of birds. Giraffes and zebras graze the shoreline while Mount Meru towers above — a photographer's paradise.
Ancient montane forest draped in old man's beard moss, where troops of black and white colobus monkeys swing through cathedral-like canopies. One of the few Tanzanian parks where walking safaris are permitted — step off the vehicle and into the wild.
One day, seven moments you'll never forget
Your guide arrives at your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. Settle into your private 4x4 safari vehicle as the morning sun paints the sky above Mount Meru.
Arrive at the park entrance. Quick briefing from your guide as colobus monkeys chatter in the trees overhead. The adventure begins.
Drive through lush rainforest to the rim of Ngurdoto Crater. Panoramic viewpoints reveal the crater floor below — a secret world of buffalo, bushbuck, and warthogs hidden beneath the canopy.
Descend to the alkaline lakes where flamingos paint the shoreline pink. Giraffes stride through the grasslands as you photograph the lakes' otherworldly colours — each one a different shade.
Step out of the vehicle for a guided walk through the montane forest. Black and white colobus monkeys leap between ancient fig trees as your guide reveals the forest's secrets. One of the few parks in Tanzania where walking safaris are offered.
Enjoy a packed lunch at a scenic viewpoint overlooking the lakes and — on clear days — the summit of Kilimanjaro floating on the horizon.
Final game drive through open grasslands and acacia woodland. Look for giraffes, zebras, waterbuck, dik-dik, and — if luck is on your side — the occasional leopard in the trees.
Leave the park as the afternoon light turns golden. Return to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi, arriving by 17:00–17:30 — in time for a well-earned sundowner.
Everything you need, nothing you don't — one transparent price
Arriving a day early for Kilimanjaro? Just finished your summit? Arusha National Park is 30 minutes from town — the perfect way to start or end your Tanzania adventure without a long drive.
Available every day of the year. Click any date below to instantly open the booking form with your chosen day pre-filled.
Click any date to instantly open the booking form with your selected date pre-filled.
Arusha National Park — Day Safari — Ember Tours
