Known as the gateway to many popular locations in Tanzania, Arusha is one of the most stunning and exciting tourist spots in the country! With scenic views of Mount Meru, exotic flora and fauna, vivid greenery, lush vegetation, and cascading waterfalls, this gorgeous region is a must-see for every travel lover. Here are the best nature friendly places that every traveller must see during their trip to the heavenly region of Arusha!
- Arusha National Park
Home to a variety of birds and animals, such as buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, warthogs, bushbucks, elephants, hippopotamus, gazelles, hyenas, woodpeckers, flamingoes, geese, herons, parrots, and eagles, this gorgeous national park is ideal for experiences such as walking tours, game drives, bird watching, camping, and safaris! From June to October, the dry season offers ideal game watching. From November to April, the park is home to many migratory birds, so bird watching is excellent.
- Mount Meru
At 4566m, Mount Meru is the fifth highest mountain in Africa. This active volcano is a popular climbing destination, as hiking is easy and safe for beginners. The view from the mountain is spectacular, and visitors can see enchanting sunrises and sunsets, as well as scenic and diverse landscapes.
- Tulusia Hill
This gorgeous spot is famous for hiking and camping, as it offers views of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro, and allows visitors to spot colobus monkeys, duikers, elephants, buffaloes, and even pythons!
- Ngurdoto Crater
The Ngurdoto Crater is covered with a dense rainforest. The swampy crater is home to warthogs, elephants, buffaloes, colobus monkeys, and hyenas, as well as hornbills, geese and herons. This is a popular spot for walking tours, as tourists can explore the breathtaking area on foot.
- Lake Longil
Lake Longil is a beautiful freshwater lake, where visitors can spot animals like buffaloes and waterbucks, which tend to gather at watering holes.
- Chemka Hot Springs
Tourists can drive to this geothermal oasis to enjoy a picnic, swim in the hot springs, relax under the trees, or soak in the breathtaking scenery.
- Momella Lakes
The Momella lakes are seven shallow, alkaline lakes in Arusha, which are home to a variety of birds, as well as animals such as dik diks, waterbucks, and zebras. Their names are Tulusia, Kusare, Lekandiro, Big Momella, Rishateni, El Kekhotoito, and Small Momella, all of which are ideal for bird watching. At Small Momella, tourists can enjoy canoeing safaris.
- Coffee Plantations
The hilly landscape around Arusha is home to coffee plantations, where tourists can find lush plants, and rich coffee beans such as arabica and robusta. They can learn about coffee, observe its growth, and taste beans.
- Lake Duluti
Tourists can take a 20 minute ride from the town to Lake Duluti, where they can enjoy walking tours, bird watching, and canoeing. The forest is home to eagles, egrets, grey herons, and kingfishers!
- Meserani Snake Park
Meserani Snake Park is a unique and exciting location, where guides show dangerous snakes such as the Black or Green Mamba, Puff Adders, and Egyptian Cobra. Visitors can even hold snakes, or touch baby crocodiles.
These spots are the top 10 nature friendly places that travellers should not miss during their amazing and unforgettable trip to Arusha, filled with fun activities like canoeing, walking tours, safaris, hiking, and bird watching!
