ArushaNational Park.
The most accessible and most underestimated park in the Northern Circuit. 45 minutes from Arusha, containing the Momella Lakes, extraordinary bird life, and the summit of Mount Meru at 4,562 metres.
Arusha National Park is the first park accessible from Arusha, which means it is often the first wildlife experience of any GAPI expedition. That first experience is frequently one of the most striking: giraffe browsing in the open, colobus monkeys in the forest canopy, zebra and buffalo in the Momella Lakes grassland, flamingo on the alkaline shores, and Mount Meru rising 4,562 metres above.
The Momella Lakes — a series of alkaline and freshwater lakes — host flamingo concentrations, pelicans, spoonbills, and over 400 bird species, making Arusha National Park the bird-richest location accessible from Arusha. Lameck Stanslaus includes this park in any expedition with a significant birding component.
Mount Meru, at 4,562 metres, provides a two-day ascent with Richard Mbuya that serves as the finest acclimatisation opportunity before a Kilimanjaro attempt. The Meru ascent passes through the same five ecological zones as Kilimanjaro at a lower peak elevation — the acclimatisation benefit is measurable and significant.
What GAPI's guides experience here.
The Lakes Circuit
The Momella Lakes are divided between fresh and alkaline water — each with a different bird community. The alkaline lakes host flamingo concentrations reaching several thousand in season. The freshwater lakes attract larger waders — pelicans, storks, and spoonbills.
The game drive circuit also passes through open grassland with giraffe, zebra, buffalo, and warthog. The combination of lake birds, forest primates, and savanna mammals makes this the most ecologically diverse park per km² in the Northern Circuit.
The Meru Summit
The Mount Meru ascent is guided by Richard Mbuya via Miraukamba huts. Two days ascending through forest — colobus monkeys frequent — through the heath zone to the summit crater, with bivouac at Saddle Hut (3,570m) before the summit push.
The summit crater contains a dramatic ash cone and views extending to Kilimanjaro 70km east. The acclimatisation benefit measurably improves Kilimanjaro summit success rates when the two are combined in sequence.
The closest park. More than an introduction.
Bird life, Meru summit, or the full game drive circuit — tell us your interests and we will design the visit accordingly.