3-Day Mount Meru Summit Trek
Arusha Momella Gate Miriakamba Hut Saddle Hut Socialist Peak
From, per person$768
Day trip
Arusha National Park Day Trip
Overview
Mount Meru looms over the town of Arusha, and the national park on its lower slopes is the closest place to start a safari once you land. It is small but surprisingly varied: shady montane forest, the steep green bowl of Ngurdoto Crater, and a chain of shallow alkaline lakes, the Momella Lakes, where flamingos and other water birds feed. On a clear day, Kilimanjaro shows on the far horizon too.
Wildlife here is different from the open plains further west. Giraffes browse at the forest edge, buffalo and zebra graze the glades, and black-and-white colobus monkeys leap through the treetops. Leopards and spotted hyenas live in the park as well, though they are rarely seen by day.
Because the drive from town is short, this is the most relaxed of the northern day trips and a sensible choice for an arrival day, a rest day before climbing Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru, or a quiet final day before an evening flight. Tanzania Tourism Safaris includes the park fees, a picnic by the lakes and an English-speaking guide in a 4×4 Land Cruiser, and the trip runs even if you are traveling alone.
Tour highlights
- Momella Lakes, with flamingos and water birds
- Views into the forested Ngurdoto Crater
- Colobus monkeys in the montane forest
- Mount Meru views, and Kilimanjaro on clear days
- Picnic lunch beside the lakes
- Shortest drive of any northern park day trip
Day by day
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Day 1 Sunrise Drive: Meru’s Forests, Crater and Lakes Meals Lunch
Your guide collects you from your Arusha hotel early so you reach the park in the soft morning light. The first game drive winds through open glades and montane forest, where giraffes, buffalo and warthogs feed and colobus monkeys sit high in the fig trees. You then continue to the Momella Lakes, whose colors change from lake to lake, to look for flamingos and other birds with Mount Meru rising behind. Lunch is a picnic by the water. In the afternoon you drive up to the rim of Ngurdoto Crater to look down into its forested floor, then return to Arusha.
Prices by season
Per person in US dollars. The price depends on when you travel and how many travelers share the trip.
| Season | 1 traveler | 2 travelers | 4 travelers | 6 travelers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low season 1 Mar – 31 May | $341 | $171 | $152 | $132 |
| High season 1 Nov – 20 Dec and 6 Jan – 29 Feb | $359 | $180 | $161 | $139 |
| Peak season Now 1 Jun – 31 Oct and 21 Dec – 5 Jan | $398 | $199 | $178 | $154 |
Tour price includes
- Pickup and drop-off at your Arusha hotel (airport transfer on request)
- Game drive in a 4×4 Land Cruiser (up to 7 seats)
- English-speaking local guide
- Arusha National Park fees and taxes
- Picnic lunch with soft drinks and local beer
- Support by phone throughout the day
- Runs with a minimum of one traveler
Tour price excludes
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Breakfast and dinner
- Souvenirs and personal items
Questions about this trip
Is this a good warm-up before climbing Kilimanjaro?
Yes. It is an easy, low-effort day that keeps you close to Arusha, and it lets you see wildlife without tiring yourself out before a climb. You also get a good look at Mount Meru and, if the weather is clear, at Kilimanjaro itself.
Does the day include a walking safari or canoeing?
No. This itinerary is a game drive with a picnic lunch. Arusha National Park does allow ranger-escorted walks and canoeing on one of the lakes, so if you would like to add either, mention it when you enquire and we will check what is possible on your date.
How does it compare with Tarangire or Lake Manyara?
Arusha National Park is closer, greener and quieter, with forest, crater and lake scenery rather than big open plains. You will not see the large elephant herds of Tarangire, but the colobus monkeys, giraffes and Momella Lakes make it a very different and more relaxed day.
Before you go
- Best Time To Visit Tanzania
- How Much Does a Tanzania Safari Cost?
- Top Safari Packing List in Tanzania
- The Best Guides on Tanzania Visa Requirement
- Tanzania Travel Insurance
- Tanzania Travel Safety
- Tipping In Tanzania Safari
- Tanzania Safari Faqs
Listed in Day trips
Where you will go
Parks on this safari
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