Tanzania, the largest East African country, is famous for its rich variety of flora and fauna. The country has the highest density of wild animals. The National parks of Tanzania, aim at preserving the varied wildlife of the country, which at one point of time was facing extinction due to threat from hunters and poachers. Arusha is one of the busiest cities of Tanzania, which is known as Northern Tanzania's Safari Capital.
The national park, lying closest to the city of Arusha is the Arusha National Park. The peculiarity of the Arusha National Park lies in the fact that it encompasses a wide variety of biodiversity, which can be explore within a few hours only.
The entrance of the Arusha National Park leads you to a typical mountain forest inhabited by the blue monkeys, the turacos and the trogons. The Arusha National Park is probably the only place in the whole of Tanzania where the majestic colobus monkeys can be seen in their natural habitat, without putting in much effort. As you proceed into the forest you will witness the spectacle of the Ngurdoto Crater. The steep slopes hide a marshy base, inhabited by wild buffaloes and warthogs.
As you keep on moving, the enchanting Momella Lakes will come into your line of vision. The lakes are surrounded by hills covered with lush green vegetation. The Momella lakes support a wide variety of bird life. Flamingos, water fowls, waterbucks can be found in abundance in this region. The animals commonly found over here are giraffes and dik-dik, a variety of deer. Leopards and Hyenas can also be seen during dusk and dawn. If you want to have a view of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, the best time to visit the Arusha National Park is during dawn.
If you are adventurous enough, you can indulge in a trekking expedition on Mount Meru. The vegetation on the other side of this mountain is a stark contrast. The open heath abounds in Spanish moss and giant Lobelias.
The Arusha National Park is easily accessible. It takes a drive of 60 kilometers to reach the national park from the city of Arusha. The best time to visit the Arusha National Park is between the months of June to February. Accommodation is available in the form of a lodge, two rest houses, few camp sites, and several hotels in Arusha town.
For further details on the Game reserves and National Parks in Tanzania please browse through the following links:
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