Day trip to Arusha National Park

A day trip to Arusha National Park offers a mix of wildlife viewing and stunning landscapes. Located just an hour's drive from Moshi, you can leave at 8:00 AM, embark on an armed walking safari with a ranger to spot the rare black-and-white colobus monkeys, and enjoy a game drive by the Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater.

The Basics

Travel Time: ~1 hour from Moshi (around 50-60 km).

Key Highlights: Momella Lakes (flamingos and waterbirds), Ngurdoto Crater (often called "Mini-Ngorongoro"), views of Mt. Meru, and walking safaris.

Wildlife: Colobus monkeys, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, warthogs, and hundreds of bird species. (No lions or elephants)

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Typical Itinerary

8:00 AM: Pick-up from your hotel in Moshi and drive to the park entrance.

9:30 AM: Enter the park and begin an armed walking safari with a park ranger, allowing you to get up-close to nature and the surrounding rainforest.

12:30 PM: Enjoy a picnic lunch at designated areas (often overlooking the lakes).

1:30 PM: Hop into an open-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser for an afternoon game drive exploring the Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater.

4:30 PM: Exit the park and take the return drive back to Moshi, arriving by 6:00 PM.

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💰 Cost & Booking

Private Day Trip: Typically costs between

and

per person, which includes your 4x4 transport, driver/guide, park fees, armed ranger, and lunch.

Where to Book: You can easily arrange this with local tour operators based in Moshi or online. Options include Viva Africa Tours or comparing various operators on SafariBookings.

💡 Pro-Tips for Your Day

Bring your passport: You will need it at the park gate for registration.

Pack Layers: Mornings in the vehicle can be chilly, but it warms up quickly once you start walking.

Camera ready: Bring a good zoom lens or binoculars, as some of the animals (like the colobus monkeys) are high up in the forest canopy.