Arusha National Park

Wildlife & Animals

Expert

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Arusha National Park is the ‘odd one out’ in Tanzania’s Northern safari circuit – of the Big Five, only buffalo is regularly seen. There are plenty of photographic opportunities though. You’ll see large groups of giraffes walking in front of Mt Meru, troops of monkeys swinging between trees and hippos bobbing up and down in the Momella Lakes.

ElephantOccasional

GiraffeCommon

HippoCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestOccasional

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionNone

LeopardRare

CheetahNone

HyenaRare

Wild DogNone

Wildlife Highlights

Arusha National Park is home to many forest-dwelling animals not often encountered in northern Tanzania, including blue monkey and Kilimanjaro colobus. You’ll see many bushbuck. Also keep an eye out for Harvey’s red duiker and suni – these unusual antelope thrive in the park’s primary forest. The only large predators are leopard and spotted hyena, but you might see a serval or even an African wild cat.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Arusha National Park can be visited throughout the year, but the Dry season (June to October) is the best time for wildlife viewing. Wildlife is easier to spot because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around predictable water sources. April tends to be very wet. At this time some of the roads might become difficult to navigate, which can interfere with your wildlife-viewing experience.