Arusha

Arusha is the gateway to the exciting wildlife areas of Northern Tanzania. You might have heard of a few of them; the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, to name a few. Most travelers get a night here on arrival before heading out into the National Parks.

The region of Arusha sits in northeastern Tanzania and encompasses the Arusha National Park and Mount Meru. Despite being a small park, it is remarkably varied with several distinct areas. The western side holds the Mount Meru, perched on the edge of the Meru Crater. The eastern side has the Ngurdoto Crater, a lush grassland in the southeast that encircles the shallow, alkaline Momella Lakes in the northeast.

Ascend Mount Meru along trails that wind up the eastern slopes and get unparalleled views of the neighboring Mount Kilimanjaro. The ascent of Meru offers a varied and fascinating journey. Set off amid the herds of buffalo and giraffes in the wooded savanna plains, then pass through groves of trees adorned with red-hot pokers and Spanish moss. Finally, burst out of the woods to the dazzling sunshine and fresh mountain air where spiky giant lobelias and alpine desert flowers thrive. Delicately agile klipspringers glide across the rocky summit, where stunning vistas of the sprawling lands below are interrupted only by the dramatic rise of Mount Kilimanjaro.

There are many lodges and hotels available to suit all budgets and styles of travelers. Accessing the region is simple from the Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha Regional.