Arusha National Park is one of Tanzania's most underrated parks. Just a short drive from Arusha town, it protects the slopes of Mount Meru (4,566 m), the Momella lakes and the forested Ngurdoto Crater.

Highlights

• Black-and-white colobus monkeys in the montane forest
• Giraffe, buffalo, zebra and waterbuck
• Flamingos on the Momella lakes
• Walking safaris and canoeing — rare in northern Tanzania
• Views of Kilimanjaro on clear days

It is an excellent day trip on arrival, or a warm-up hike before climbing Kilimanjaro.