Arusha National Park: a one-day safari, Ngurdoto Crater and the Momella lakes (price, what you see)

Arusha National Park is a small park about 45 minutes from the city, with Mount Meru, Ngurdoto Crater and the Momella lakes: giraffes, buffalo, zebras, colobus monkeys and, depending on the season, flamingos. It has no lions. It is the easiest outing for a half day or a full day before or after a big safari, and you can walk with a ranger. Offers consulted in October 2026 run from about 195 dollars for a highly rated full day (4.8 out of 5 from 29 reviews) to lower-rated all-inclusive packages; check the itinerary, as one traveller reports that the crater and the lake were not in one offer's programme.

Highlights

The giraffes

Maasai giraffes are easy to see in the clearings, with Meru as a backdrop on a clear day.

The Momella lakes

Shallow lakes of different colours where waterbirds and sometimes flamingos land, with hippos in some of them.

A walk with a ranger or a canoe

Parks like this offer walking or canoe outings, a change from a drive safari; ask the agency what is on offer.

Nearby

See on the map →

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