What is special about Arusha National Park?

Arusha National Park is the only park in Tanzania where you can do walking safaris and canoeing. It sits beneath Mount Meru and offers views of Kilimanjaro on clear days, plus giraffe, buffalo, zebra, hippos and colobus monkeys.

How close is Arusha National Park to Arusha town?

Arusha National Park is just 25 km (about 45 minutes) from Arusha town, making it an ideal first or last day safari activity before flying out of Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Can you see the Big Five in Arusha National Park?

Arusha National Park does not have lions or cheetah, but has four of the Big Five — elephant, buffalo, leopard (rarely seen), and black-and-white colobus monkeys. It is an excellent introduction to Tanzania's wildlife.

Arusha National Park Safari | Sokwe Africa Safaris

Tanzania's Hidden Gem

A World Apart — Just One Hour from Arusha

Nestled on the slopes of Mount Meru — Africa's fifth-highest peak — Arusha National Park is one of Tanzania's most diverse and visually dramatic wildernesses. Despite its compact size, the park packs extraordinary ecological variety: from lush montane forest rich with colobus monkeys and colourful birds, to the alkaline shores of Lake Momella shimmering with flamingos and waterfowl.

Unlike the great open plains of the Serengeti, Arusha offers an intimate, almost secret safari experience. Giraffe stride gracefully along forest edges, herds of zebra and buffalo graze the open glades, and warthog trot through the undergrowth. The park is also the only place in Tanzania where you can embark on a guided walking safari — putting you on the ground, at eye level with the wild.

Arusha National Park makes an exceptional half- or full-day excursion, and is the perfect complement to a longer circuit safari or the start of a Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru climb with Sokwe Africa Safaris.

Plan Your Arusha Safari View Safari Packages

Zebra in the wild — Arusha National Park, Sokwe Africa Safaris Tanzania

552 km² of Diverse
Wilderness

Why Visit

Arusha Highlights

Mount Meru

At 4,566 m, Mount Meru is Africa's fifth-highest peak and a superb acclimatisation climb before Kilimanjaro — with wildlife encounters all the way up.

Flamingo Lakes

Lake Momella's series of shallow alkaline lakes attracts hundreds of flamingos, along with pelicans, herons, and an astonishing variety of waterfowl.

Walking Safaris

One of only a few parks where guided foot safaris are permitted — experience the bush at ground level with all your senses engaged.

Colobus Forest

The montane forests on Meru's lower slopes are home to black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and over 400 recorded bird species.

What to Do

Activities & Experiences

Game Drives

Half-day and full-day 4WD game drives through open glades and forest tracks — encountering giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog, and an abundance of birdlife.

Bush Walking

Guided walking safaris allow you to slow down and truly immerse in the sights, sounds, and textures of the African bush — led by experienced armed rangers.

Canoeing on Lake Momella

Paddle silently across the shallow lakes as flamingos feed around you — a completely unique and peaceful perspective on Tanzanian wildlife.

Mount Meru Trekking

A three- to four-day trek to Meru's summit crater offers dramatic scenery, wildlife at altitude, and the finest Kilimanjaro acclimatisation available.

Wildlife Photography

The park's intimate scale, dramatic light, and varied backdrops — including the iconic Meru silhouette — make it exceptional for photography at every level.

Bespoke Day Trips

Arusha National Park makes an ideal add-on day trip before or after any Tanzania circuit safari — perfectly positioned near Arusha's international airport.

Plan Your Arusha Experience

Curated Journeys

Wildlife & Safari Trips in Africa

Every itinerary is crafted with purpose — built around the finest wildlife encounters, the most extraordinary landscapes, and the season that brings each park to life.

12 Days

Wildlife & Culture

12-Day Tanzania Wildlife & Cultural Experience

Discover the heart of Africa with our 12-day Tanzania Wildlife and Culture safari. This immersive journey blends thrilling wildlife encounters in Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti with the rich traditions of Tanzanian culture at Mto wa Mbu.

Tarangire Ngorongoro Serengeti

Book Now

17 Days

Photographic Luxury

17-Day Photographic Luxury Safari

Capture the beauty of Tanzania during its most vibrant seasons on our 17-day photographic luxury safari. Perfect for photography enthusiasts, this journey takes you to iconic wildlife destinations with expert guidance on light, position, and animal behaviour.

Tarangire Serengeti Ndutu

Book Now

7 Days

Classic Circuit

7-Day Safari Luxury

Embark on an unforgettable 7-day luxury safari through Tanzania's most iconic national parks. This journey takes you from the lush landscapes of Lake Manyara to the vast plains of the Serengeti, the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire.

Manyara Serengeti Ngorongoro

Book Now

View All Safari Packages

Testimonials

Voices from the Field

Our guests return home with stories, photographs, and a changed perspective on the natural world. Here is what they say about their time with Sokwe Africa Safaris.

5.0

Average Rating · Google Reviews

“

"Family-Friendly and Fun"

Traveling with kids can be challenging, but Sokwe Africa Safari made it effortless. Our guide was fantastic with our children, sharing fun facts about animals and ensuring their safety at every step. The trip was educational, exciting, and full of laughter for all of us. We will absolutely be coming back.

Hannah and David Johnson

7-Day Safari · Serengeti & Ngorongoro

“

"The Best Safari Experience Imaginable"

From the moment we were collected at Kilimanjaro Airport to our final game drive in the Serengeti, every detail was flawless. Our guide's knowledge was extraordinary — he anticipated wildlife movements with remarkable accuracy. We saw all of the Big Five within the first two days. Sokwe Africa Safari exceeded every expectation we had.

Michael & Susan Thompson

12-Day Safari · Full Northern Circuit

“

"A Photographer's Dream Come True"

I'm a wildlife photographer and I've been on safaris across Africa — Sokwe Africa Safari in Tanzania stands apart. The photographic safari itinerary was perfectly designed for golden-hour shooting. Our guide understood exactly what I needed: the right position, the right distance, and the patience to wait for the perfect moment. The Ndutu cheetah family alone was worth the entire trip.

Robert L., Professional Photographer

17-Day Photographic Safari · Ndutu & Serengeti

“

"Exceeded Every Single Expectation"

We had never been to Africa before and chose Sokwe based on their reviews — and they delivered beyond anything we imagined. The Ngorongoro Crater descent was one of the most spectacular moments of our lives. The accommodation was world-class, the food was exceptional, and our guide was like having a wildlife encyclopaedia in the passenger seat. Unforgettable.

Patricia & James Walters

12-Day Wildlife & Culture Safari

“

"Tanzania Changed Us Forever"

This was our honeymoon and Sokwe Africa Safari made it absolutely perfect. The private game drives at dawn, the bush breakfast in Tarangire, the hot air balloon over the Serengeti — moments we will carry for the rest of our lives. The attention to personal detail was extraordinary. We are already planning our return trip.

Anna & Ben Clarke

10-Day Honeymoon Safari · Tanzania

“

"Our Guide Was Simply Outstanding"

I cannot say enough about our guide — his passion for Tanzania's wildlife was infectious, his knowledge was encyclopaedic, and his ability to find and track animals was nothing short of magical. We witnessed a cheetah hunt, a lion pride with six cubs, and a leopard with a kill in a tree — all in a single morning. This is what a real safari looks and feels like.

Daniel & Kirsten Morel

7-Day Safari Luxury · Tanzania