When is the best time to visit Serengeti National Park?

The dryer winter months between June and August is the best time to visit the Serengeti when the grass is low and the temperatures mild and game viewing is optimal.

How much does a safari in Serengeti National Park cost?

The pricing of accommodation ranges from larger hotel options to mobile tented adventures and intimate luxury camps, pricing ranging from USD450 per person sharing to over USD1400 per person sharing per night.

How to get to Serengeti National Park?

Visitors to the Serengeti can drive from Arusha, the 200 mile journey taking around eight hours, or a 30-minute flight is an option onto one of the Serengeti airstrips.

What makes a Serengeti National Park safari so special?

Spending time in the Serengeti is always a treat as it is a vast area with a large number of animals, making game viewing an exciting and successful adventure. It is also home to the great wildebeest migration, a phenomenal crossing between Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti national parks.

What animals can I see in the Serengeti National Park?

Home to the “Big Five”, visitors have a chance to see elephant, rhino, leopard, buffalo, and lion as well as a plethora of plains game and birdlife.

When is Serengeti National Park open?

The gates to the Serengeti National Park are open from 6.30am to 6.30pm daily.

Do you need to book in advance to visit the Serengeti National Park?

A safari package that includes a stay in the Serengeti will need to be booked quite far in advance. Availability can be scarce during peak safari season, which falls between late June and the end of October each year.

What's the best way to see Serengeti National Park?

An enclosed or open 4x4 safari vehicle is the best way to explore and experience the Serengeti National Park. Game walks and a hot air balloon ride are two other ways to search for animals and see the park.

What hotels, lodges, and camps are near Serengeti National Park?

The Serengeti Serena Lodge offers a large selection of accommodations for groups and families looking for the more “classic” safari lodge experience. The Sanctuary Bushtops is an example of luxury tented accommodation in the Serengeti National Park. Mobile camping, of the four-star and five-star level, is popular in the Serengeti with the AndBeyond Under Canvas experience creating an “up close and personal with nature” adventure.

What restaurants are near Serengeti National Park?

There are no stand-alone restaurants near the Serengeti National Park, with guests dining in the restaurants located at the lodge or camp of their choice.

What attractions are near Serengeti National Park?

Near Serengeti National Park, you can enjoy hot air balloon rides for a bird's eye view of the incredible park or experience the true Maasai culture and heritage at a Maasai Cultural Village.

Arusha National Park - The Ultimate Guide for Visitors

Peak TimeJun - Oct

Best Time To GoJun - Oct, Mar - May

Famous ForWorld’s largest giraffe population, scenic beauty

Price Per DayUSD 22.5 / USD 25

Home ofDiverse Birdlife, Mt. Meru

General Overview

Location

The park is 51 km (31m) from the northern Tanzania city of Arusha.

Size

The size of Arusha National Park is about 53 square miles.

History

Mountain rainforests. Rich savannahs. Alpine moorlands. And majestic Mt. Meru. You can soak up all these scenic landscapes in a single day at Arusha National Park, one of Tanzania’s most beautiful and varied parks.

Dating back to 1960, the area was set aside as Ngurdoto Crater National Park to protect the region’s wildlife and natural resources. Then, in 1967, the area surrounding Mt. Meru was added to the park, and the name was changed to Arusha National Park. The park’s name comes from the Waarusha people who lived in the area.

Though often overlooked, this small park presents a variety of experiences for curious visitors. Home to the world’s largest population of giraffes, Arusha National Park presents numerous hiking and exploring possibilities.

Ever go on a canoe safari? The seven Momella lakes in the park, all a different shade of algae green or blue, offer opportunities to sail and explore. From your floating perch you can spot flamingoes and further out on the shore, giraffes, zebra, dik-dik and warthog.

With its easy vibe, lush green hills and woodlands, the park lends itself to walking safaris. You’ll find great stretches of forest hosting blue and colobus monkeys. And several trails will bring you to Mt. Meru, the second highest summit in Tanzania, the fourth highest in Africa.

Entrance Fees & Permits

Non-residents: $50 USD in high season, $45 USD in low season for 16+ or ages 5-15 is $15 USD

Residents and expatriates: $25 USD in high season, $22.5 USD in low season for 16+ or $7.5 USD for ages 5-15

Tanzanians/East African citizens: 10,000 Tanzania shillings for 16+ and 2,000 shillings for 5-15

Children under 5: Free

Hours of Operation

The park is open from 06:00 hrs. to 18:00 hrs.

How to Get There

By Road

You can book a tour with Natural World Kenya Safaris from Arusha, about an hour and ½ drive.

By Air

The park is 35 km (21mi) from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

The park’s mild climate offers average daytime temperatures of 21oC/70oF. It can cool off a bit after sunset and early morning game drives tend to be chilly.

Avoiding Crowds

Wildlife watching is best during the dry months of June to October. But bundle up at night as it can get quite cold. Bird lovers may prefer the wet season, March to May, when migrating flocks arrive at the park. Read more on the best time of year to visit Tanzania.

Value for Money

Arusha National Park is a great value for your money because of its diverse wildlife, unique activities like hiking and canoeing, and affordable prices compared to other, more popular parks.

Wildlife & Landscape

Popular Wildlife Sightings in Arusha National Park

Common wildlife sightings in Arusha National Park include giraffes, birds, monkeys, buffalo, elephants, warthogs, zebras, leopards, water bucks, turacos, and trogons.

The Terrain

The park has three main topographical features: Mount Meru (the second highest peak in Tanzania), Momella Lake, and Ngurudoto. The park is best for those who wish to hike, trek, cycle, or canoe.

Arusha National park Day trips

Guided Walking Safaris

It’s safe to walk the trails in the park, a wonderful way to get closer to the various wildlife. You’ll likely spot a giraffe and be on the lookout for buffalo, warthog and birds like the hornbill and eagle.

Canoeing Safari

Paddle along the shores of Momella lake, taking in the verdant hills and the park’s wildlife – both aquatic and terrestrial.

Learn more of our Arusha safari options.

Lodges & Camps - Accommodation Overview

All Tanzania accommodation options can be found near the Arusha National Park. It’s important to keep in mind the park is located in the northern part of Tanzania, not too far south from the border of Kenya and just outside the city of Arusha. The park encompasses 53 square miles, making it one of the smaller national parks in Tanzania and Africa so it’s important to find a lodge close to where you wish to be.

Points of Interest

Mt. Meru – Little Kilimanjaro

Tanzania’s second highest mountain after its famous nearby neighbor, Kilimanjaro. The views are worth the climb and you’ll find yourself walking along a dramatic crater rim at the summit.

Ngurdoto Crater

Arusha Park even features a tiny version of the famous Ngorongoro Crater, called the Ngurdoto. The crater is just 3.6 km (2.2mi) in diameter and 100m (328 ft.) deep. But in this lush rainforest environment, you’ll find a great variety of wildlife like cape buffalo, elephant, baboon and antelope.

Arusha, the Town

Arusha National Park is just a few kilometers northeast of the town of Arusha, a main hub for safaris in northern Tanzania. The town offers a respite from the road and your various safari adventures. Here, you’ll find an active nightlife, sophisticated global cuisine, and even a natural history museum.

Tululusia Hill

You can hike to and camp out at this popular lookout point, featuring memorable views of the park as well as Mt. Meru, and beyond that, Mt. Kilimanjaro.

FAQs

When is the best time to visit Arusha National Park?
- Wildlife watching is best during the dry months of June to October. But bundle up at night as it can get quite cold. Bird lovers may prefer the wet season, March to May, when migrating flocks arrive at the park.

How much does a safari in Arusha National Park cost?
- Non-residents: $50 USD in high season, $45 USD in low season for 16+ or ages 5-15 is $15 USD. Residents and expatriates: $25 USD in high season, $22.5 USD in low season for 16+ or $7.5 USD for ages 5-15. Tanzanians/East African citizens: 10,000 Tanzania shillings for 16+ and 2,000 shillings for 5-15. Children under 5: Free.

How to get to Arusha National Park?
- You can book a tour with Natural World Kenya Safaris from Arusha, about an hour and ½ drive or by air the park is 35 km (21mi) from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

What makes Arusha National Park safaris so special?
- Though often overlooked, this small park presents a variety of experiences for curious visitors. Home to the world’s largest population of giraffes, this versatile reserve presents numerous hiking and exploring possibilities.

What animals can I see in Arusha National Park?
- Common wildlife sightings in Arusha National Park include giraffes, birds, monkeys, buffalo, elephants, warthogs, zebras, leopards, water bucks, turacos, and trogons.

When is Arusha National Park open?
- The park is open from 06:00 hrs. to 18:00 hrs.

Do you need to book in advance to visit Arusha National Park?
- Yes, it’s recommended to book in advance to visit Arusha National Park, especially during peak tourist seasons. Learn more about our Arusha National Park safaris.

What’s the best way to see Arusha National Park?
- There are several ways to see the park including game drives, walking safaris, and canoeing. Book a safari with us to learn more.

What hotels, lodges, and camps are near Arusha National Park?
- There are many accommodations to choose from near Arusha National Park in Tanzania. Choose the one that best fits your wants and needs!

What restaurants are near Arusha National Park?
- There are plenty of amazing restaurants and food to try near Mt. Meru in Arusha National Park. Feel free to contact us to learn more!