Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is not as well known as other national parks and is underrated in our opinion. Close to the town of Arusha, yet abundant with wildlife, Arusha National Park has much to offer, and is perfect for short one-day trips away from town.
Mount Meru, an impressive dormant volcano peak, towers over the park and Mount Kilimanjaro, a mere 30 miles (50 km) away, forms a spectacular backdrop on clear days.
Arusha National Park also contains the Ngurdoto Crater, as well as the beautiful Momella Lakes, each a different hue of green or blue, and often dotted with beautiful flamingoes. It is here on Small Momella Lake that Green Footprint Adventures offers canoeing – a truly unique way to experience wildlife. We are very proud to offer this exciting canoeing trip exclusively.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru has an explosive history - literally. It has had four eruptions, the last of which occurred in 1910. The main cone of the volcano has a caldera that is 2.2 miles (3.5 km) in diameter. With each eruption, a lava dome and ash cone grew increasingly bigger on the floor of the caldera.
The route to the top passes through parkland, forestland, heather zone and moorland, until the summit is reached via a narrow, barren ridge. The reward at the top is the stunning view of the ash cone several thousand feet below, inside the crater. If the weather is clear, you can see Kilimanjaro in the distance. Let Planet Africa Adventures be your guide as you climb one of Africa's highest and most beautiful dormant volcanoes.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Standing tall and proud, the great Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest peak at 19.336 feet (5.895 meters). It’s one of the continent’s most magnificent sights, and also one of the world’s most easily accessible high summits.
The climb takes you through a vast array of climates, starting with the bushy scrubland, going through mountain forests and alpine desserts until reaching snow and ice at the summit of Uhuru Point. Although easier than most other peaks of comparable height, this climb is by no means a walk in the park.
Planet Africa Adventures is with you every step of the way to ensure the safest and most enjoyable climb possible. There are few sights more impressive then watching dawn break over Africa as you stand atop her highest peak.
Arusha Town
On first impressions this town may seem sleepy and small but on closer inspection you’ll find it to be a hustling bustling and busy place. Arusha is the starting point, the central command and the safari capital of Tanzania.
There is a small domestic airport on one side of town, and on the other, about an hour’s drive away, is Kilimanjaro International Airport. Arusha National Park lies halfway between town and the international airport.
Planet Africa is located here in Arusha, and on a clear day we enjoy the view of Mount Meru from our office windows.
ACCOMMODATION IN THE ARUSHA AREA
Onsea House is arguably the number one guesthouse in Arusha. It is small and intimate with a really personal feel. The décor is stylish, it has a great swimming pool set in a lovely garden and it is particularly known for its delicious food.
Onsea House has the kind of attentive service that makes guests feel right at home. In our opinion this is one of our favorites.
Rivertrees Country Inn is located outside Arusha, set in lush gardens on the banks of the Usa River. The country kitchen makes wonderfully tasty home cooked meals, and the comfortable design of the lodge exudes a homely, nostalgic safari feel that maintains all the best qualities of a bygone era – especially when sitting in front of the log fire with a drink in your hand.
Rivertrees has a different type of charm to Onsea House, with its large garden populated by huge trees and cactuses and real old farm style lodge. This lodge is not quite as personal as Onsea House though.
Karama Lodge is a very comfortable place without frills. It’s close to town, so you can still hear the sounds from the village. Karama Lodge has a lovely view of Mount Meru from the veranda, and the rooms are comfortable, clean log cabins. In our opinion we feel that Karama is not a bad option in Arusha but we prefer Rivertrees at roughly the same price.
Arusha Coffee Lodge is a small and well established coffee plantation and lodge set to the west of Arusha. As Arusha is seen more as a base point for northern safari itineraries, it is often used simply as an overnight stopping point.
However, Arusha Coffee Lodge is well positioned to discover that there is more to Arusha than meets the eye or explore the surrounding areas such as the nearby Arusha National Park or the village project in Tengeru.
The lodge itself is known for its food and overall ambience. Each of the spacious 18 rooms is set amongst the coffee vines, has a private balcony, a great view as well as en-suite bathrooms. With fireplaces in each, the rooms can be cosy and warm in winter or nice and cool in summer. In our opinion this is in a very convenient location (close to the Arusha Airport) but it is a pricey option for one night in Arusha.
Kia Lodge is conveniently located near Kilimanjaro International Airport, actually it is literally about a 2 minute drive from the airport, making it an ideal place for a few hours of relaxation before your international flight departure. The lodge has a nice pool and pleasant rooms as well as a great bar near the pool – on clear days, the view of Mount Kilimanjaro can be stunning! We don't find this an ideal place to stay for the night, but it is very convenient for a day room and transfers to the airport.
