National park

Arusha National Park

Mount Meru, Momella lakes and black-and-white colobus.

Northern Tanzania
Best: Jan–Feb, Jul–Oct
Entry from US$59.00

Overview

Area: 322 km²
Highest point: Mount Meru, 4,566 m
Bird species: 400+
From Arusha town: About 45 minutes

Arusha National Park covers 322 km² on the slopes of Mount Meru, Tanzania's second-highest peak. Climbers often use it to acclimatise before Kilimanjaro.

The park packs forest, open grassland, the Ngurdoto Crater and the colourful Momella Lakes, which attract flamingos. Giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and black-and-white colobus monkeys are common, and more than 400 bird species have been recorded.

Activities include game drives, walking safaris, canoeing and horseback riding.

Climb Mount Meru
Three to four days with an armed ranger.
Momella Lakes
Shallow alkaline lakes with flamingos.
Canoeing
Paddle Small Momella Lake past buffaloes and giraffes.

Things to do

Mount Meru climb
Huts at Miriakamba and Saddle.
Canoeing
Two hours on Small Momella Lake.
US$23.60
Walking safari
With an armed ranger.
US$23.60

Prices are the foreign non-resident rate per person. Resident and East African rates are lower; see the full table below.

Wildlife and nature to look for

Giraffe
Buffalo
Black-and-white colobus
Zebra
Flamingo

When to go

Best June to February for Meru views and climbs; April and May are wettest.

Jan: Best
Feb: Best
Mar: Good
Apr: Wetter
May: Wetter
Jun: Good
Jul: Best
Aug: Best
Sep: Best
Oct: Best
Nov: Wetter
Dec: Good

Fees and permits

Official rates from the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) (TANAPA Tariffs 2023/24 (GN 666 of 2018, GN 490A of 2020)). Children, vehicle and accommodation rates are in the full tariff.

Arusha National Park fees by visitor category
Item	Foreign non-resident	Foreign resident	Rest of Africa	East African citizen
Park entry (adult, 16+)per person per 24 hours, 16 May – 14 MarchChildren 5–15: TZS 2,360 / US$8.85 / US$17.70 (EAC citizen / resident / non-EAC visitor).	US$59.00	US$29.50	US$59.00	TZS 11,800
Low-season entry (adult, 16+)per person per 24 hours, 15 March – 15 MayChildren 5–15: TZS 2,360 / US$8.85 / US$17.70 (EAC citizen / resident / non-EAC visitor).	US$53.10	US$26.55	US$53.10	TZS 11,800
Mount Meru ranger feeper group per day (a ranger is required)	US$17.70	US$17.70	US$17.70	TZS 11,800
Mount Meru hutsper adult per night	US$35.40	US$35.40	US$35.40	TZS 5,900
Canoeingper adult for two hours	US$23.60	US$23.60	US$23.60	TZS 5,900

Park entry (adult, 16+)per person per 24 hours, 16 May – 14 March
Foreign non-resident
US$59.00
Foreign resident
US$29.50
Rest of Africa
US$59.00
East African citizen
TZS 11,800
Children 5–15: TZS 2,360 / US$8.85 / US$17.70 (EAC citizen / resident / non-EAC visitor).
Low-season entry (adult, 16+)per person per 24 hours, 15 March – 15 May
Foreign non-resident
US$53.10
Foreign resident
US$26.55
Rest of Africa
US$53.10
East African citizen
TZS 11,800
Children 5–15: TZS 2,360 / US$8.85 / US$17.70 (EAC citizen / resident / non-EAC visitor).
Mount Meru ranger feeper group per day (a ranger is required)
Foreign non-resident
US$17.70
Foreign resident
US$17.70
Rest of Africa
US$17.70
East African citizen
TZS 11,800
Mount Meru hutsper adult per night
Foreign non-resident
US$35.40
Foreign resident
US$35.40
Rest of Africa
US$35.40
East African citizen
TZS 5,900
Canoeingper adult for two hours
Foreign non-resident
US$23.60
Foreign resident
US$23.60
Rest of Africa
US$23.60
East African citizen
TZS 5,900

Prices include 18% VAT; TANAPA's tariff lists them before VAT (for example US$70 + VAT = US$82.60). Children are aged 5–15; under-5s are free.
Other African citizens pay the non-EAC rate. Payment is electronic through TANAPA's online reservation system, banks or mobile money.
TANAPA still publishes its 2023/24 tariff as current in October 2026. Confirm the amount when you pay.

Getting there

By road
From ArushaAbout 45 minutes
East towards Moshi, then north to Ngurdoto Gate.

Open larger map Directions Marker shows an approximate location.

Photos

Flamingos on one of the Momella LakesPhoto: Roman Boed, CC BY 2.0

A herd of giraffes in Arusha National ParkPhoto: Geir Kiste, CC BY-SA 3.0

Open grassland and forest in Arusha National ParkPhoto: Roman Boed, CC BY 2.0

Know before you go

An armed ranger must accompany all Meru climbs and walks.
Easy as a half-day trip from Arusha on arrival or departure day.
Foreign visitors must buy Tanzania's US$44 inbound travel insurance (92 days) before arrival: from NIC for the mainland or ZIC for Zanzibar. One policy covers both; residents of EAC and SADC countries are exempt.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to climb Mount Meru?

Usually three or four days, staying in the park's huts.

Can you do Arusha National Park as a day trip?

Yes. The gate is under an hour from Arusha town.

Sources

Checked on 23 October 2026. Fees and rules change; confirm with the authority or your operator before you pay.

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Combine your trip

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