The
closest national park to Arusha town – northern Tanzania’s safari
capital – Arusha National Park is a multi-faceted jewel, often
overlooked by safari goers, despite offering the opportunity to
explore a beguiling diversity of habitats within a few hours.
The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by
inquisitive blue monkeys and colourful turacos and trogons – the
only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic
black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen. In the midst of the
forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, whose steep, rocky
cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalo and
warthog.
Further north, rolling grassy hills enclose the tranquil beauty of
the Momela Lakes, each one a different hue of green or blue.
Their shallows sometimes tinged pink with thousands of flamingos,
the lakes support a rich selection of resident and migrant
waterfowl, and shaggy waterbucks display their large lyre-shaped
horns on the watery fringes. Giraffes glide across the grassy hills,
between grazing zebra herds, while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart
into scrubby bush like overgrown hares on spindly legs.
Although elephants are uncommon in Arusha National Park, and lions
absent altogether, leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen slinking
around in the early morning and late afternoon. It is also at dusk
and dawn that the veil of cloud on the eastern horizon is most
likely to clear, revealing the majestic snow-capped peaks of
Kilimanjaro, only 50km (30 miles) distant.
But it is Kilimanjaro’s unassuming cousin, Mount Meru - the fifth
highest in Africa at 4,566 metres (14,990 feet) – that dominates the
park’s horizon. Its peaks and eastern footslopes protected within
the national park, Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous
neighbour, while also forming a rewarding hiking destination in its
own right.
Passing first through wooded savannah where buffalos and giraffes
are frequently encountered, the ascent of Meru leads into forests
aflame with red-hot pokers and dripping with Spanish moss, before
reaching high open heath spiked with giant lobelias. Everlasting
flowers cling to the alpine desert, as delicately-hoofed
klipspringers mark the hike’s progress. Astride the craggy summit,
Kilimanjaro stands unveiled, blushing in the sunrise
Arusha Accommodation
IMPALA HOTEL ARUSHA
Nestled at the foot of Mount Meru, the hotel is
approximately 45 minutes from Kilimanjaro Airport and 10 minutes
from Arusha Town. The one hundred and ninety two roomed hotel offers
a comfortable stay in enjoyable surroundings. Facilities include a
swimming pool, restaurants, coffee shop, gift shop, conference rooms
and easy access to a golf course. The location is also good for
local connections and the Nairobi shuttle bus service.
SERENA MOUNTAIN VILLAGE
Wreathed in multi-coloured tresses of tumbling
bougainvillea, Mountain Village is hidden in the depths of a
beautiful coffee plantation. Strung like a necklace around the
shores of an idyllic wooded lake, a haven of calm and serenity is
found here, just outside the hustle and bustle of Arusha, Tanzania's
premier 'Safari Town'. Set in the flowered gardens of a coffee
planter's farm house and surrounded by rolling groves of wax-green
coffee bushes, Mountain Village offers wide timbered decks with
panoramic views over Lake Duluti, and a selection of
ethnically-styled 'Rondavel' village-cluster rooms. Each of these is
neatly thatched with 'Makuti' stems, lavishly embellished with 'Makonde'
carvings and comfortably furnished in traditional safari style. It's
a great location to simply relax and enjoy strolls around the farm
or gentle canoeing trips on the lake.