Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is a jewel of varied ecosystems and spectacular views of Mount Meru, the crater that gives the region its name. A great day trip from Arusha before heading onto the main safari circuit, this small national park offers a quiet, unhurried space to enjoy the richness of Tanzanian wildlife. At a relaxed pace, you can take your time to look up into the treetops and watch the acrobatics of the rare black-and-white colobus monkeys, the playful blue monkeys, and the dazzling colors of trogons and turacos.

If the three-day climb up Mount Meru isn't your thing, you can enjoy a relaxed exploration of its lower slopes along trails that wind around crystal-clear mountain streams and attractive waterfalls. The calm greens and blues of the Momela Lakes often serve as a backdrop for thousands of flamingos, along with a wide variety of migratory water birds, while giraffes and zebras graze on the grassy hills. There may not be lions and elephants are uncommon, but you may be lucky enough to spot a few leopards and spotted hyenas in the morning and late afternoon.

The slopes, summit and ash cone of Mount Meru dominate this small park, as do the lush forests of centuries-old fig trees in the highlands. When the clouds clear on the eastern horizon, you can even catch a glimpse of Kilimanjaro's snow-capped peak.

Area: 552 km².