Wildlife and Birds in Arusha National Park: Arusha National Park is located in the Northern part of Tanzania standing at an elevated area of about 4566 meters above the sea level in the Arusha region. This national park was established in 1960 with the main purpose of protecting and conserving the area because of its wildlife. More so, Arusha National Park covers a total surface area of about 137 square kilometers and the Tanzania National Park Authority is managing it, which is a government organization that has a responsibility of protecting all the national parks. Arusha National Park is small but it is recorded that a population of about 66,808 people visits per year because it has rich biodiversity and it surrounded by beautiful landscapes and is home to various wildlife species which are considered to be among the top tourist attractions in the park which led many people to travel from different parts of the world to tour around the park and some of these animals include the following;
Wildlife and birds in Arusha National Park.
Buffalos; there are also large herds of African buffalos that are found within the park. These species are famously known for their strength and these formidable animals are commonly spotted near the water sources within the park.
African Elephants; within Arusha National Park the population of the elephant species is not as large as that in other game parks like; Tarangire National Park or Serengeti National Park. However, lucky individuals will be able to spot these majestic animal species.
Leopards; more so, Arusha National Park has a healthy population of leopards and these species are known to be elusive cats that can hardly be seen loitering around the park due to their stealthy nature.
Giraffes; exploring within Arusha National Park can give you chances to spot giraffes because this game park is a home to both the Masai giraffes and other elegant reticulated giraffes. More so, these giraffes are characterized to be gentle giants that are usually seen while they move through the grasslands around the park as they search for food.
Hyenas; Hyenas are one of the unique species that are found within the park. In addition, tourists are advised that to see these species in large numbers they can tour the park early in the morning or late evening which is the best time when hyenas go for scavenging and hunting.
Zebras; this park is home to many zebras and these species are beautiful plain with distinctive black and white stripes. Tourists can always sightsee these species while they graze within the open areas around the park.
Warthogs; more so, tourists can see the warthogs while touring around the park and these species are commonly characterized because of their facial warts and tusks and be seen while they forage around the grasslands searching for food.
Hippos; the fact that the hippos that are rarely spotted within the park not like other animal species but this national park is also a home to large population of hippos which can be easily seen in lakes and rivers. Therefore, to get high chances to see these species, tourists can embark on boat cruises, which gives them opportunities to explore well on the water and then get to see the hippos.
Antelopes. Arusha National Park is home to various numbers of antelopes and this park also acts as a good natural habitat for many other species such as; duikers, bushbucks, waterbucks, mongoose, dik-dik, porcupines, bush bucks and many others which are usually spotted while they browsing and grazing around the park. More so, this national park is home to primate species like; blue monkeys, baboons, and black and white colobus monkeys that are usually spotted while they swing through the trees.
There are also various reptiles such as; crocodiles and monitor lizards, and this park hosts a wide range of insects of insects and butterflies which makes it a haven for entomology enthusiasts
Birds
Arusha National park is also seen as a birders paradise due to the fact that it harbours around 400 bird species and some of these birds include; Red-chested Flufftail, Grey Crowned Crane, Common Ostrich, White-faced Whistling Duck, Egyptian Goose, Northern Shoveler, Red-billed Teal, White-backed Duck, Helmeted Guineafowl, Crested Guineafowl, Hildebrandt’s Francolin, Red-necked Spurfowl, Crested Francolin, Flamingos, Great Crested Grebe, African Olive Pigeon, Mourning Collared Dove, African Green Pigeon, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, European Nightjar, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Mottled Spinetailed Swift, White-browed Coucal, Yellowbill, African Rail, Allen’s Gallinule, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Yellow-billed Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, Great White Pelican, Hamerkop, White-backed Night Heron, Black-headed Heron, Great Egret, African Spoonbill, Great Cormorant, Water Thick-knee, Spotted Thick-knee, Pied Avocet, Common Ringed Plover, Greater Sand Plover, African Jacana Eurasian Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Common Buttonquail, Double-banded Courser, African Skimmer, Gray-hooded Gull, Secretary-bird, Osprey among others
Amazing things to do at Arusha National Park
Bird watching
Arusha National Park is a hidden treasure for birdwatching enthusiasts in Tanzania. This fascinating national park is home to a colorful variety of bird species housing over 400 different species of birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. One of the main highlights of birdwatching at Arusha National Park is the chance to spot the rare and elusive Schalow’s Turaco. This fascinating bird, with its vibrant green plumage and crimson crest, is a sought-after sighting for many birders visiting the park. During your bird watching safari in Arusha National Park, you’ll also be amazed by other astonishing views of other bird species that dwell in the park such as crowned eagle, flamingos, Kori bustard, greater flamingo, grey crowned crane, lilac breasted roller, Namaqua dove, little egret, common ostrich, secretary bird, Hartlaub’s turaco, grey breasted spurfowl, African green pigeon, white faced whistling duck, marabou stork, scaly francolin, Egyptian goose, Hamerkop, African cuckoo and many others.
Canoeing
Arusha National Park is one of the few destinations in Tanzania that offers a breathtaking canoe ride. canoeing in the park is done on the small Momella lake with the help of an experienced guide who will be padding along the lake. during the canoe ride, you will have the chance to enjoy a tranquil and charm ride and you will be able to spot different animals like hippos, in water, bushbucks, waterbucks, buffaloes, zebras, buffaloes among others on the lake shores, waterbirds like kingfishers, flamingoes, pelicans, African fish eagle, herons and others.
Wildlife and Birds in Arusha National Park: Wildlife viewing
Arusha National Park is a stunning destination for wildlife viewing. While it may not be as famous as some of the other national parks in Tanzania such as Serengeti National Park or Ngorongoro Crater. Arusha National Park offers a unique and diverse range of landscapes and wildlife that makes it a hidden gem for wildlife lovers. One of the highlights of wildlife safari at Arusha National Park is the opportunity to spot the park’s diverse African wildlife up close. During the wildlife viewing safari in Arusha National Park, you will have an opportunity to encounter a variety of wildlife that dwell in the park such as giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, several antelopes, hippos, bird species such as flamingoes, Black-winged Kite, African Harrier Hawk, Palm-nut Vulture, White-backed Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Crowned Eagle, Verneau’s Eagle, African Hawk Eagle, Dark Chanting Goshawk, African Marsh Harrier, African Fish Eagle, Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Buzzard, Common Barn Owl among others. Visitors to the park may also have a chance to encounter the elusive and endangered black and white colobus monkeys as well as the playful blue monkeys swinging through the treetops of the park’s forest.
More so, exploring Arusha National Park blesses tourists with great opportunities to participate in interesting activities such as; game drives, hiking, mountain climbing to Mount Meru, guided nature walks, and many others.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about the wildlife in Arusha National Park and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East Africa Tours who offer the best tour packages while on your safari ai in Tanzania.
