This lovely park is set between the peaks of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. Its area is only 53 square miles and therefore tiny when compared to the vast Serengeti or the huge Selous. The Park is as outstandingly beautiful as it is small and can be visited easily for a few hours from the nearby town of Arusha.
The highlands of this park are forested with the peak of Mount Meru rising above the forests to dominate the park. The forests are populated by a thriving and varied bird life as well as the attractive bush buck and climbing in the ancient cedar trees is the dramatically marked black and white colubus monkey; bellow these forests are a string of lakes that boast many water birds.
Altitudes in the park range from 1,500 meters above sea level to the summit of Mount Meru at 4,500 meters above sea level. With the differing altitudes and varied geology in a relatively small area makes for a dramatic contrast; from swampy lowlands to alkaline lakes and onto mountain forests.
Migrating water birds settle on the lakes, waterbuck and reedbuck are found near water, whist the shy bushbuck and duikers keep to the forested areas. Within this wide range of habitats four hundred species of birds have been recorded in the Park. Many of the water birds are migratory and found in the park between October and April, with the permanent residents found primarily in the forests.
This is one of the few parks in Tanzania that allow walking safaris. Canoes safaris have been introduced to this park and this activity offers an extraordinary perspective of the park. Many Maasai villages are found on the peripheries of the park and cultural visits are encouraged. The wild life that inhabit this park are Antelope, buffalo, leopard, hyena, baboon, colobus monkey, giraffe, rhino, elephant and hippopotamus. This small and beautiful park is well worth a visit. Not many tourists get to visit this park; however I would recommend adding it to your itinerary.
About Yosemite National Park
Arusha National Park is close to Arusha Town in Northern Tanzania. It is nestled against the impressive Mount Meru which dominates this park; Mount Meru can be climbed over a two or three day period. It is a steep climb on loose scree. The climber being rewarded with impressive views of the park and the plains beyond sweeping all the way across the African bush to the snow capped Mount Kilimanjaro. Half the crater of Mount Meru was blown away sometime in the distant past; this has exposed an impressive and rather huge ash cone. The remainder of the crater has resulted in exposing 1,500 meters of vertical cliff face, which makes for a rather unusual and dramatic final trek to the summit.
A highlight of Arusha National Park is driving up through the cool rainforest, to the top of Ngurdoto Crater. Ngurdoto is a caldera of an extinct volcano. You will stop often to watch the striking black and white colobus monkeys as they sit in the branches of ancient cedar trees and groom one another and occasionally stare back at you. Listening to these monkeys bark through the forest along with the call of the horn bill is a thrilling experience. These haunting calls are truly African.
Ngurdoto has a ring road that allows fabulous views down into the lush crater interior. The views on offer are stunning †remember to bring your binoculars. The crater floor has swamps, clumps of trees and some grass land. It is so green and some time can be spent at the view points drinking in the view. The crater is home to elephant, buffalo, baboon, reedbuck, colobus monkeys, leopard and duikers.
To leave your vehicle and walk has not been possible until recently; but now you are allowed to walk around the rim. This crater is a small version of the huge Ngorongoro. This added attraction will make this small beautiful park even more interesting to visit.
Mosses, ferns, lichens and orchids thrive in the damp atmosphere of the Crater, giving way to huge mahogany, olive and date palm trees on the drier crater walls. The crater floor calls out to be explored on foot but unfortunately descent into the Crater itself is not allowed.
Once you leave the forests of Ngurdoto it is possible to get a clear view of Mount Kilimanjaro, weather permitting. It is now time to head for the lakes and to explore these areas each lake seeming to have a different colour and smell. There are picnic areas around the lakes as well as opportunities to get out the safari vehicle and have a canoeing safari. This is a great way to see the bird life and the park from a different perspective. Flamingoes can be seen in huge congregations on the Momella lakes.
This park does not lay claim to be unique in any way, it is not off the beaten track, nor is it renown for anything in particular. However, it is accessible to everyone visiting Northern Tanzania; it offers a verity of habitats in a small area and is a real jewel. Do not miss an opportunity to visit this park should you get a chance.
Ian Williamson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Guide Guitar, History and Sports Car. For more information on Tanzania contact the Tanzania information Hub athttp://www.tanzania-info.co.uk remember that tourism can change lives - make sure your trip to. Ian Williamson's top article generates over 74000 views. Bookmark Ian Williamson to your Favourites.
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