Day Tour Safari Arusha National Park: Mount Meru & Crater Lakes

See Mount Meru, the crater and three lakes in a single morning and afternoon

A day safari through Arusha National Park, 32 km from Arusha town, with a professional driver-guide in a 4×4 jeep, park entry and picnic lunch included. The route passes Ngurdoto crater and Momella lakes, where colobus monkeys, hippos, elephants, giraffes and waterfowl gather. Thousands of flamingos sometimes cover the largest lake. Mount Meru rises above the whole park and shapes the weather and the view. Pickup is arranged from your accommodation in Arusha or Moshi. The guide speaks English or German, and children from age two travel with the group.

Step-by-step itinerary

Safari tour in Arusha National Park

• Drive to Arusha National Park
• Take a picnic lunch
• See Ngurdoto crater and Momella lakes
• Observe wildlife and birdlife
• View Mount Meru and park landscapes

The experience

Eight hours is the full day, and it fits because the park sits only 32 km from town. You leave with a picnic lunch, drive into the park and move through it by jeep, stopping at Ngurdoto crater and the Momella lakes. The crater itself is a landmark (a geological feature that shapes the landscape), and the lakes draw the wildlife: hippos, buffalos, red forest duikers, bushbucks, warthogs, baboons, dik diks and giraffes all drink there. Colobus monkeys and velvet monkeys move through the trees. Birdlife is constant, especially waterfowl, and on the right day the flamingos are so thick on the water they look like a pink layer.

Your driver-guide handles the route and knows where animals gather at different hours. The 4×4 jeep is built for the terrain and gives you height to see over the grass. Park entrance is included, so there is no separate ticket line. The picnic lunch is included too. What shapes the day most is Mount Meru itself: the mountain that dominates the park and draws the weather. On clear mornings the view is direct. Cloud can roll in by afternoon. The park is suitable for all fitness levels because you travel by vehicle and step out at stops. Children from age two are welcome.

What’s included

• Professional driver-guide who speaks English or German.
• transport in a 4×4 safari jeep.
• Arusha National Park entrance fees.
• picnic lunch.
• pickup from your accommodation in Arusha or Moshi.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 to 85 years) · Child (2 to 15 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by African Choice Safari

Is this one for you?Eight hours leaves the rest of your day free if you start early, or lets you combine this safari with a separate activity in town. The fixed schedule means you travel with other guests unless you book a private jeep option at checkout.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 15 years).

What animals am I likely to see on this safari?

Arusha National Park holds colobus monkeys, velvet monkeys, hippos, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, bushbucks, red forest duikers, warthogs, baboons and dik diks. Waterfowl are abundant around Momella lakes, and on some days thousands of flamingos cover the largest lake. Your driver-guide knows the patterns and stops where animals gather.

How far is Arusha National Park from town?

The park is 32 km from Arusha town, so the drive in is short and leaves most of the eight hours for viewing and stops inside the park itself.

What is Ngurdoto crater?

Ngurdoto crater is a geological feature inside the park and one of the main stops on the route. It is a landmark that shapes the landscape and the view across the park.

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes, you bring a picnic lunch with you and eat it during the day. Park entrance and transport in the 4×4 jeep are also included.