How long is the drive from Kilimanjaro to Arusha?
How long is the drive from Kilimanjaro to Arusha? The two entrances to the park are Momella Gate and Arusha National Park Gate. Conveniently accessible by road, the park’s main gate is situated approximately 25 km from Arusha town. Driving from Kilimanjaro International Airport in the town of Arusha to the main gate takes approximately forty minutes, and the journey takes an hour. The park is small enough to be explored in a half-day outing. For a more relaxed and pleasurable safari tour of the park, an all-day excursion accompanied by a picnic lunch can be arranged. Arusha National Park in Tanzania is situated close to the town of Arusha. The park was created to include Mount Meru, which is the second highest peak in the world after Kilimanjaro. Mount Meru rises to a height of 4566 meters above sea level. The park, which covers 137 square kilometres and was created in 1960, is governed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). Volcanic activity during Mount Meru’s most recent eruption produced the breathtaking sights and landscapes that can be viewed within the park.
Mount Kilimanjaro, which forms the eastern backdrop of Arusha National Park, is only 60 km away. Kilimanjaro International Airport is 35 miles away from Arusha National Park, whereas the latter is 58 km away. There are many places to stay, including luxurious hotels, affordable hotels, and hostels, and the park is only a short drive away. Arusha National Park is genuinely unique since it is home to the largest giraffe population. Two additional major attractions of Arusha National Park are the chance to view black and white colobus monkeys and the ancient fig trees with their clear water in the streams that flow through the mountains.
The Best time to Visit
The short wet season is the best time to visit Arusha National Park since it minimises rainfall and gives you up-close views of the animals, particularly around the water holes. The best months to go are June through October. The park is at its coldest and has relatively fewer insects during this time of year. Because there is less water available and the park’s plant cover is a little bit thinner, the animals congregate near freshwater sources during this season. This not only makes it easy for tourists to take amazing pictures of the animals for a memorable safari experience, but it also helps them predict where the animals will be during day trips.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru is a stratovolcano which is situated 70 km to the west of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is found at a height of 4562 meters or 14,968 feet. The tallest peak in Africa is Mount Kilimanjaro and it is visible from the park when the weather is suitable. Its most recent eruption was in1910 which took place in the months of October through December. The first person to climb Mount Meru was Fritz Jáger in 1904. The Momella gate on the eastern side is the entry point of the Momela trekking route which leads to the summit. This is the main Tanzania safari attraction tour to Arusha. Mount Meru is more scenic, it also has a rich soil supporting a forest and a haven for a variety of wildlife. The savannah and forest sections are home to a wide variety of animal species, such as blue and black primates, black and white colobus monkeys, leopards with sparse markings, and an amazing array of birds.
The four-day walk up Mount Meru takes four to six hours, starting at Momella Gate and ending at Miriakamba Hut. The hike the next day starts at the Miriakamba Hut and concludes at the Saddle Hut, taking three to five hours. Climbers begin their journey in Saddle Hut while ascending to the summit, and to Miriakamba Hut when descending back. On the last day, the hike starts at Miriakamba Hut and finishes at Momella Gate. The cost of climbing Mount Meru is also affordable for travellers visiting Tanzania, which is helpful for travellers on a tight budget who wish to go trekking in Tanzania. The dry season months of June through October and January are the best time to hike Mount Meru.
Wildlife in Arusha National Park
This park is smaller than others in northern circuit of Tanzania, which means it has less territory and, thus, less species. This small park is filled with many interesting animals, including elephants, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, warthogs, giraffes, zebras, cape buffaloes, leopards, and occasionally spotted leopards.
Momella Lakes
The seven small lakes collectively known as Momela Lakes are located in Arusha National Park. These lakes are; Big Momela, Little Momela, Kusare, Risheteni, Lekandiro, Tulusia, and El Kekhotoito. The region’s entrance, Momela Village, is situated in Tanzania’s Meru District in the vicinity of Arusha. All of the lakes are alkaline due to the volcanic debris created by the eruption of Mount Meru. Zebras are frequently seen grazing near the lakes, despite the fact that animals cannot drink the alkaline water. The eastern portion of Arusha National Park is primarily known for its lakes.
Birdwatching in Arusha National Park
The forested areas of Arusha National Park are excellent spots for birding, with over 400 different species of birds found in this small park. The park is popularly known to be home to the easily spotted Narina and bar-tailed trogon. They are more seen here in the Arusha National Park compared to other tourist routes in Tanzania. There are other numerous bird species that can be found in the park, including the African fish eagle, African olive pigeon, bearded vulture, black saw wing, Egyptian geese, little grepe, and cinnamon cardinal. Among the species are the tawny eagle, southern pochard, scaly francolin, red-fronted parrot, Peregrine falcons, great crested grebe, Narina and bar-tailed trogons, Verreaux’s Eagle, silvery-cheecked hornbill, and Hartlaub’s turaco.
Ngurdoto Crater
This volcanic crater is close to Arusha in Tanzania’s Meru District. The Ngurdoto Crater has a width of 3.6 kilometres and a depth of 100 meters. The crater is surrounded by a forest and has a marsh on its floor. The Ngurdoto Crater is located in Arusha National Park and it was a crater of an extinct volcano. On a Tanzania safari tour this Crater is also known as “Little Ngorongoro” because like Ngorongoro, it has developed over time into a kind of “reserve within the reserve. Ngurdoto Crater is a volcanic crater in the Arusha Region is 3.6 km in width and 100 m in depth. It has a basin-like shape, steep sides, and a thick layer of rainforest covering it. A variety of animal species, including buffalo, warthogs, elephants, monkeys, baboons, leopards, and spotted hyenas, can be found on the marshy grassland that covers the crater bottom.
