National park · Tanzania
Arusha National Park
Enter Arusha NP for about US$35 (check) per adult; do a short game drive any day or a 4‑day Mount Meru trek in the dry season; avoid long rains Mar‑May.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
137 km² (53 sq mi)53 sq mi (137 km²)
approximate
Established
1960
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Tanzania ↗Apply for the Tanzania e-visa only on the official immigration portal; Zanzibar and, from 1 October 2026, mainland Tanzania each require their own US$44 inbound insurance bought from the state insurer's site.
- Tanzania ↗Carry a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from or connect through a risk country such as Kenya or Ethiopia; see a travel clinic about malaria several weeks ahead.
- Tanzania ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you arrive.
- Tanzania ↗Light aircraft between parks and to Zanzibar have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Northeast Tanzania ↗Tanzania e-visa before arrival; from 1 October 2026 the inbound insurance (US$44) is mandatory — check the current rule.
- Northeast Tanzania ↗Carry TZS cash for park gates, fuel stops and village guesthouses; cards work in Arusha and Moshi hotels, rarely in Lushoto.
- Northeast Tanzania ↗Left-hand driving; tarmac on the Arusha–Moshi–Dar corridor, rough gravel on the Lake Natron and Usambara side roads.
At a glance
- Country
- Tanzania
- Area
- 137 km² (53 sq mi)53 sq mi (137 km²)
- Approximate; official figure not published (check).
- Established
- 1960
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Arusha National Park packs three distinct landscapes—Mount Meru, Ngurdoto Crater and the Momella Lakes—into a compact 137 km² area. It is the only park in northern Tanzania where guided walking safaris are common, and the 4‑day Mount Meru trek offers an alternative to Kilimanjaro with fewer crowds. The park is a day trip from Arusha city, but the wildlife density is lower than in Tarangire or Serengeti.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1960.
Size and age
137 km² (53 sq mi)53 sq mi (137 km²) · national park since 1960
Approximate; official figure not published (check).
Why go
- Compact park with volcano, crater, lakes and diverse wildlife.
- Mount Meru offers a multi‑day trek with panoramic views.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprAvoid
- MayAvoid
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanDry, cool mornings.
- FebDry, good for trekking.
- MarStart of long rains, trails muddy.
- AprPeak long rains, many roads closed.
- MayLong rains continue.
- JunDry, clear, ideal wildlife viewing.
- JulDry, good for Mount Meru.
- AugDry, stable weather.
- SepDry, excellent visibility.
- OctEnd of dry season, still good.
- NovShort rains start, occasional showers.
- DecShort rains, occasional clouds.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog, elephant, lion (rare), colobus monkey, blue monkeyAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Flamingos, pelicans, herons at Momella LakesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds of forest – Narina trogon, bar‑tailed trogonMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Arusha city
Taxi or private 4×4, 45 min via Arusha–Moshi road to Ngongongare Gate.
45 min–1 h
Open the page →
From Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Car hire or shuttle to Arusha, then same road to gate.
≈1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Ngongongare Gate | Main entrance for day drives and wildlife viewing. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Momella Gate | Access to Momella Lakes, canoe trips and Mount Meru trekking. | Ticket plus trekking permit. |
| Mount Meru area | Trek routes, forest and alpine zones. | Ranger‑guided trek only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata centre of park; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per adult) | TZS 35,000 | person | 2026 estimate; official fee not published (check). |
| Mount Meru trekking permit (per group) | TZS 200,000 | group | Includes compulsory ranger guide. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Mount Meru trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- TZS 35,000
- TZS 200,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Tanzania National Parks Authority – Arusha National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Guided walking
- All walking safaris must be with an armed park ranger.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites; fees apply.
- Off‑road driving
- Restricted to marked tracks; 4×4 required inside park.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated grills only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Arusha town lodges
Range of hotels and guesthouses 30 km (19 mi) from park gates.Range of hotels and guesthouses 19 mi (30 km) from park gates.
In the park
Designated campsites
Basic sites near Momella Lakes; fees US$30 per person (check).
Safety
Rain‑induced mud medium
Altitude sickness on Meru medium
Wildlife encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Vehicle access to gates is paved; walking trails have uneven terrain and steep sections.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked paths; avoid feeding wildlife; support lodges that practice waste reduction.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Arusha National Park?
Entry is about 35,000 TZS per adult (2026 estimate; check official fee).
What are the best hikes in Arusha National Park?
Mount Meru multi‑day trek (hard) and the short Ngurdoto Crater walk (easy) are the main hikes.
When is the best time to visit Arusha National Park?
Dry months June‑October and January‑February give clear weather and good wildlife viewing.
Can I camp inside the park?
Yes, at designated campsites for a fee (approximately US$30 per person, check).
Do I need a guide for walking safaris?
All walking safaris require an armed park ranger guide.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Arusha National Park
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