Arusha National Park
Momella lakes, Ngurdoto crater, giraffe and colobus — and walking safaris.
Northern Tanzania · Culture & arrival
Arusha & Lake Eyasi
Where journeys begin, and where time with Hadzabe and Datoga communities adds a cultural layer.
- Best time
- All year
- Getting there
- 45 min from Kilimanjaro Airport
- We suggest
- 1–2 nights
- Known for
- Mount Meru, coffee, Hadzabe culture
The region
Where every journey begins
Arusha sits at the foot of Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second-highest mountain, and is the starting point for every northern safari. Arusha National Park, on its doorstep, has the Momella lakes, the forested Ngurdoto crater and walking and canoe safaris.
To the west, below the Rift, Lake Eyasi is home to the Hadzabe, among the last hunter-gatherers in Africa, and to Datoga pastoralists. We arrange visits directly with the communities, and pay fairly.
What you may see in Arusha & Lake Eyasi
Wild animals keep their own schedule — these are the species our guides know best here.
Where to go
Around Arusha
Mount Meru
A 3–4 day climb, and good preparation for Kilimanjaro.
Coffee estates
Garden lodges among the coffee, and tours from bean to cup.
Lake Eyasi
Time with Hadzabe and Datoga communities, arranged directly.
Good to know
Before you go to Arusha & Lake Eyasi
- Arrival
- Most guests land at Kilimanjaro International and spend their first night near Arusha.
- Cultural visits
- Arranged directly with the communities; photography only with consent.
Safaris
Journeys that include Arusha & Lake Eyasi
8 days · 7 nights Big cats
Kopjes & Craters
Two nights in kopje country, two on the eastern plains, two on the crater rim.
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Destinations
Explore more of Tanzania
Serengeti
Plains & kopjesEndless short-grass plains broken by granite kopjes — the stage for big cats, and for the migration as it moves through.
Ngorongoro Crater
Caldera floorA collapsed volcano holding 260 square kilometres of grassland, soda lake and forest, with resident wildlife year round.
Tarangire
Baobabs & elephantGreat elephant herds along a single dry-season river, under some of the oldest baobabs in East Africa.
Lake Manyara
Rift escarpmentGroundwater forest, an alkaline lake and the wall of the Rift Valley within a compact, easily added park.
Ruaha
Southern wildernessTanzania's largest park: baobab hills, sand rivers and exceptional numbers of lion and wild dog, with very few vehicles.
Nyerere / Selous
Rivers & boatingThe Rufiji river system opens up safari by boat and on foot, alongside classic game drives.
Mahale / Katavi
Remote & wildChimpanzee tracking in forested mountains above Lake Tanganyika, paired with the floodplains of Katavi.
Kilimanjaro
Roof of AfricaAfrica's highest peak, climbed over six to nine days on the Lemosho, Machame or Rongai routes.
Zanzibar
Indian OceanReef, dhows and Stone Town — the natural pause at the end of a safari.
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Plan with us
Plan your time in Arusha & Lake Eyasi
Tell us your dates and how you like to travel. We will reply with a route and honest pricing within 24 hours.