SAFARI ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK DAY TRIP
- Overview
Experience a compact yet diverse safari adventure in Arusha National Park, a hidden gem just outside Tanzania’s safari capital. This day trip combines lush rainforests, volcanic craters, and alpine meadows with exceptional wildlife viewing—all against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Meru. Ideal for those seeking a quieter, scenic alternative to larger parks, Arusha NP offers walking safaris, canoeing, and close encounters with giraffes, buffaloes, and colobus monkeys.
Distance from Arusha:
35 km (1-hour drive) – the closest safari destination to the city.
6:30 AM: Depart Arusha.
7:30 AM: Enter the park; game drive to Ngurdoto Crater.
10:00 AM: Walking safari in the montane forest.
12:00 PM: Picnic lunch at Momela Lakes.
1:30 PM: Canoeing (optional) or more game drives.
3:30 PM: Visit a waterfall or viewpoint (weather permitting).
5:00 PM: Return to Arusha.
When to Visit
Prime Time: June-October (dramatic river gatherings)
Secret Season: November-May (emerald landscapes, newborn animals)
Temperatures: 22°C-30°C (mornings can be crisp)
Why Visit Arusha National Park?
Closest safari to Arusha – Perfect for those with limited time
Walking safaris allowed – Rare chance to explore on foot with an armed ranger
Canoe among flamingos – Glide across the Momela Lakes, surrounded by waterbirds
Dramatic landscapes – From the Ngurdoto Crater (a mini-Ngorongoro) to Mount Meru’s slopes
Exclusive wildlife – Black-and-white colobus monkeys, giraffes, and buffalo herds
| Included
In the Price-
All parks entry fees
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4wd top up roof land cruiser
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Government taxes
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Unlimited drinking water
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Free Wi-Fi
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Lunch boxes
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Professional Tour Guide
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Accommodations
| Excluded
In the Price-
All visas
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Items of personal nature
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Tips
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Walking safari
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Health insurance
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International flights
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Extracharges on safari
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EXCELLENT Based on 64 reviews Posted on Tripadvisor Lucas Silver RVerified 5 day Tanzanian Wildlife Adventure. Our 5 day Tanzania private safari was a thrilling wildlife safari experience that made by Matey at Gardenia African Safaris. Undoubtedly he planned very well from start to finish. We visited Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Each place had its own unique characteristics, and all in all it was an unforgettable trip. We returned home with wonderful experiences. It was an experience we will remember forever.Posted on Tripadvisor Omar RVerified Ngorongoro truly Tanzania's extraordinary natural heritage. My girlfriend and I spent an exciting day exploring Ngorongoro Crater with Matey at Gardenia African Safaris. The experience of enjoying the beauty of the crater was extremely pleasant and captivating. The vast open landscape and the abundance of wildlife created such a thrilling atmosphere. Our guide was patient and knowledgeable, and he always positioned the car so that we could see everything well, We were very satisfied with him. Overall the day gave us a fantastic day experience.Posted on Tripadvisor Lisa CVerified A Dream Safari Made Perfect As a family of four with two young boys aged 5 and 6, we were incredibly excited about this adventure, while also feeling a little apprehensive. From start to finish, Gardenia African Safaris exceeded all of our expectations. The communication from the very beginning was friendly, helpful, and professional. The team went above and beyond to secure the accommodation we were hoping for while staying within our budget, and they even arranged our flight to Zanzibar at the end of the trip. Matey was exceptionally responsive, answering our questions and addressing any concerns promptly at all times of the day and evening before we travelled. When we arrived for our seven-day safari, our guide, Iddy, was there to greet us at the airport and take us to our first destination. He was incredibly knowledgeable and experienced, and throughout the week he managed to find every animal we had hoped to see. Most importantly, he was wonderfully patient with our children, which allowed us to fully enjoy the experience without worrying when they became a little restless or noisy. Whatever we wanted to see, Iddy made it happen. The lodges we stayed in were all comfortable, and the food was excellent throughout the trip. This was truly the best adventure our family has ever experienced, and much of that was due to the seamless organisation and outstanding service provided by Gardenia African Safaris. I would highly recommend Gardenia African Safaris to anyone considering this type of holiday. They made what could have been a daunting trip with young children into an unforgettable and stress-free experience.Posted on Tripadvisor Zacharias MVerified Eine aufregende und perfekt geplante Safari. Fünf Tage auf einer privaten Camping-Safari mit meiner Frau durch den Tarangire-Nationalpark, die Serengeti und den Ngorongoro-Krater waren ein unvergessliches Erlebnis. Gardenia African Safaris hatte alles wunderbar organisiert. Wir begannen unsere Reise im Tarangire-Nationalpark und konnten die beeindruckenden Elefanten beobachten. Unser nächstes Ziel war die Serengeti. Die Landschaften veränderten sich ständig, sodass jeder Tag neu und aufregend war. Der Ngorongoro-Krater war ein außergewöhnlicher Ort, an dem wir eine beeindruckende Vielfalt an Wildtieren sahen. Unser Guide war erfahren und freundlich und sorgte stets dafür, dass wir die Tiere sicher und respektvoll beobachten konnten. Alles war bestens organisiert, und wir fühlten uns während der gesamten Reise sehr wohl. Diese Safari hat uns unvergessliche Erinnerungen beschert.Posted on Tripadvisor Beth CVerified Absolutely wonderful! My travel companion and I had a day free in Arusha and signed up for Gardenia's safari through Arusha National Park and canoeing tour on Little Momella Lake. It was an amazing day! Our guide through the park, Godlove, was extremely knowledgeable, interesting and kind. He went out of his way make sure we enjoyed our day. Our canoe guide was also knowledgeable and sweet, and very attentive to our interests. Gardenia was perfectly lovely to work with and I would recommend them without reservation.Posted on Tripadvisor Carol EVerified Little Momella Lake Canoeing We had a fantastic canoeing experience on Little Momella Lake along with a game drive through Arusha National Park. The lake and park are so beautiful and our guide, Godlove, was just incredible. We saw so many species of wildlife and birds. Godlove's knowledge of the area wildlife and local ecology made our trip unforgettable!. Arrangements were perfect and the lunch provided on the lakeshore was lovely. This trip is our very first for Africa and it truly exceeded our expectations! I highly recommend this tour company; you won't be disappointed!Posted on Tripadvisor Judson MVerified Tanzania Safari - June 2026 Gardenia African Safari was an all around excellent experience. They were extremely helpful in planning the travel logistics prior to our arrival and were very communicative leading up to our trip, which was much appreciated given that this was our first time in Tanzania. In country, they were wonderful hosts. We felt welcome and safe the entire trip. Our guide was highly competent and experienced which made for a truly special safari experience. I would recommend Gardenia to anyone!Posted on Tripadvisor Mattias DVerified Perfect Family Day. Our family spent a day on this private tour of the Serval Wildlife Sanctuary, and it was one of the best experiences of our time in Arusha with the professional tour organizer Gardenia African Safaris. The entire journey was peaceful, and the beautiful scenery around made the drive enjoyable from start to finish. The sanctuary provided a peaceful environment, where we were able to enjoy the animals to our hearts content without any large crowds or rush. Our guide was friendly and professional, and he ensured the comfort of the entire family throughout the day. If anyone traveling with family and prefer a peaceful, authentic experience, this tour is an excellent choice that we would confidently recommend.Posted on Tripadvisor Krishnamurthy HVerified 7 day safari positive experience. My family and I spent 7 incredible days exploring Tanzania with Gardenia African Safaris, and it was well planned & truly unforgettable experience. Our guide was knowledgeable and always eager to help us spot animals and understand their behavior. The beauty, wildlife and peaceful environment of Tanzania created memories that will stay with us forever. We returned refreshed, inspired and grateful. The landscapes were breathtaking, with vast plains, beautiful sunsets and wildlife everywhere we looked. The lodges offered excellent hospitality and created a relaxing atmosphere after a day of exploring. My kids were very satisfied with our professional guide and overall we were very grateful to Gardenia African Safaris.Posted on Tripadvisor Richard NVerified We enjoyed incredible natural beauty & thrilling wildlife. My wife and I had an outstanding 3-day luxury safari experience with Gardenia African Safaris in Tanzania that we will never forget. Our guide was fantastic, sharing interesting facts and ensuring we had the best possible viewing opportunities throughout the safari. The combination of luxury, nature, and extraordinary hospitality makes this trip truly unforgettable. We highly recommend it for couples looking for a unique travel experience.
