Into the park
Your guide picks you up from your Arusha hotel at about 08:00; the park is less than an hour away. Your game drive winds through forest around Ngurdoto Crater, stops at a viewpoint on the rim, and continues to the Momella Lakes.
Arusha National Park · Day Trip
Arusha National Park Day Trip & Walking Safari
The only day trip from Arusha where you leave the vehicle and walk
- 2–3 hour walking safari
- Ngurdoto Crater & Momella Lakes
- Less than an hour from Arusha
Mount Meru, which rises over the park.
Overview
Arusha National Park sits on the slopes of Mount Meru, less than an hour from town. It has no lions, which is exactly why you can walk here: with an armed park ranger, among giraffes, buffalo and zebras.
The day mixes a game drive and a walk. You drive through forest to a viewpoint over Ngurdoto Crater and on to the Momella Lakes, each a slightly different colour from the algae it holds. Then you meet your ranger for two to three hours on foot.
Walking changes how you see the bush: you notice tracks, plants, birds and sounds that you would miss from a car. A popular route leads to Tululusia Waterfall on the slopes of Meru.
- Start/EndArusha
- LengthFull Day
- TripGame Drive + 2–3 hr Walk
- Pickup ~0800
Why travellers choose it
- 01
A real walking safari with an armed ranger
- 02
Very close to Arusha, so no early start
- 03
Crater views, coloured lakes and forest in one day
- 04
A quiet park with few vehicles
Day by day
Your journey
-
Morning
-
Midday
On foot with a ranger
At the trailhead your armed park ranger explains how to behave around wild animals and then leads the walk. You move quietly over open grass and along the forest edge where buffalo, giraffes, zebras and warthogs graze, stopping for tracks, plants and birds. Walks last about two to three hours, depending on the route and your pace.
-
Afternoon
Picnic and home
Lunch is a picnic at one of the park's sites. After a last game drive you are back at your Arusha hotel in the late afternoon.
Wear closed shoes and long trousers for the walk, and bring a hat and water. The ranger decides the route on the day, for safety.
The route
Where the journey goes
- By road
- Day number
The line shows the order of the trip, not the exact road. Press ↻ to play it again.
Prices
Work out your price
Travel year
One price all year round
How many of you?
per person
Total for your group
See every price in one table
Price Per Person, By Season
| Season | 1 Person | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5 People | 6 People | 7 People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01.01.2026 – 31.12.2026 | $510 | $315 | $250 | $215 | $195 | $185 | $175 |
| 01.01.2027 – 31.12.2027 | $510 | $315 | $250 | $215 | $195 | $185 | $175 |
Private trip for your group only: the more of you share the vehicle and guide, the lower the price per person. For 7 or more people we send a quote.
How booking works: a 30% deposit confirms your trip and the balance is paid on arrival in Tanzania, before the trip starts. We reply within 3 hours. Booking terms
What you pay for
Included and not included
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Arusha
- Private English-speaking driver-guide
- 4x4 vehicle with a pop-up roof
- Park fees and government taxes
- Armed ranger and the walking safari fee
- Picnic lunch and drinking water
Not included
- Tips for your guide and ranger
- Travel insurance
- Drinks and personal spending
- Tanzania's compulsory inbound visitor insurance (US$44 per person since 1 October 2026)
- Any rise in government park fees or taxes after you book
Questions
Before you book
Is walking with wild animals safe?
You walk with an armed park ranger who knows the animals and the area and keeps a safe distance. Follow the ranger's instructions at all times.
How fit do we need to be?
The walk is two to three hours at an easy pace, with some uneven ground. Anyone who walks regularly will manage.
Are there lions or elephants?
There are no lions in the park. Elephants live in the forest but are seen less often than giraffes, buffalo and zebras.
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Plan your trip
Ask us about dates and prices
Tell us your dates, where you are staying and how many of you are travelling. We reply within 3 hours.