| |
Arusha National Park is covering 137 sq. kilometres
and lies between the peaks of Mountain Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru
and ascends from 1500 metres at Momella to 4566 metres at the summit
of Mount Meru. Established in 1960 the park had contained Ngurdoto
Crater and Momella lakes, until 1967 when Mt. Meru was made part
of the Park.
The flora and fauna varies with the topography,
which ranges from forest to swamp. The best time for visiting is
during the dry season from July-March. The best months to climb
Mount Meru are June-February (although there are some rains in November).
On clear days magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru
can be seen from almost any part of the park. The best views of
Mt. Kilimanjaro are from December-February.
Location
The Park is only 25 kilometers East of Arusha,
58 kilometers from Moshi and 35 kilometers from Kilimanjaro International
Airport (KIA). It is the nearest National Park to both Arusha and
Kilimanjaro International Airport and is thereby and easy day trip.
From the main road between Arusha and Moshi it is about 10 kilometers
to reach Ngurdoto Gate.
Wildlife
The Park contains a diverse resident population
of herbivores, primates and predators including black and white colobus
monkeys, baboons, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, hippos, leopards,
hyenas, waterbucks, wart hogs and a wide range of antelope species.
No lions in the park although you can see leopards if you are lucky.
If you wish to walk on the Mount Meru (4566 m)
sector of the park through a variety of landscapes, plains, forest
moorlands, and a lava desert, it is compulsory to be accompanied
by an armed game warden because the wild animals. From the summit
of Mount Meru you will have an impressive view of the crater and
of the eruption cone 3000 metres below .
Arusha National Park is famous for its 400 species
of bird life, both migrant and resident such as red sharks, hamerkops,
spurwinged gooses, herons, woodpeckers, grey parrots, secretary
birds and many more. The Momela Lakes offer plenty of bird watching
opportunities.
|
|
