Arusha National Park Day Trip
A private Arusha National Park safari mixing a game drive, a ranger-led walk and Momella canoeing, from Moshi or Arusha.
By Kanti Kessy, safari lead, 17 years on the Northern Circuit
From $215 per person for a private group of five
From price applies to a private group of five. See group-size pricing.
Free cancellation up to 2 days before pick-up.
Local Moshi operator · Safari lead with 17 years on the Northern Circuit · Class A TALA tour operator licence · TATO member
On this page
Key facts
| Fact | Answer |
|---|---|
| Starting point | Moshi or Arusha |
| Distance from Moshi | 75–80 km, about 1.5–2 hours |
| Distance from Arusha | 25–35 km, about 45–60 minutes |
| Typical departure | About 06:30 from Moshi |
| Duration | Full day |
| Difficulty | Easy–Moderate |
| Swimming | None. Canoeing is not swimming |
| Season | Year-round |
| Trip type | Private trip only. Joining by request on selected dates. |
| Guide language | English |
| Children | Suitable with supervision. Confirm ages before booking |
| Cancellation | Free cancellation up to 2 days before pick-up. |
Facts verified September 2026
Quick answer
The Arusha National Park day trip is a private full-day safari from Moshi or Arusha. It combines a game drive, a walk with an armed TANAPA ranger and canoeing on the Momella lakes. The drive is 1.5–2 hours from Moshi and 45–60 minutes from Arusha. From $215 per person for five.
This is the one park where guests leave the vehicle (walking safari, canoeing). Sightings are never guaranteed.
Price by group size
| Group size | Price per person | Group total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $340 | $340 |
| 2 people | $290 | $580 |
| 3 people | $255 | $765 |
| 4 people | $230 | $920 |
| 5 people | $215 | $1,075 |
The more people travelling together, the lower the price per person.
Worked example: two people pay $290 each, so $580 in total.
For groups larger than five, contact Kilimania for a group quotation.
From price applies to a private group of five. See group-size pricing.
Park entry and activity fees are government-set and included in your Kilimania price. The current total is confirmed in your quote before booking.
Arusha pick-up is available. The price is confirmed in your quote.
Before you book
- Price: from $215 per person for five; all five tiers are shown above.
- Included: private safari vehicle and English-speaking guide, park entry fees and government taxes, ranger-led walk, Momella canoeing with life jackets, picnic lunch and bottled water.
- Cancellation: Free cancellation: cancel up to 2 days (48 hours) before your pick-up time for a full refund. Cancel within 2 days of pick-up and receive a 60% refund. Full terms: /booking-terms-and-cancellation/
- Contact: WhatsApp: +255 756 449 990 · info@kilimania.co.tz
- Next step: send your date and group size. We confirm the itinerary and exact price before you proceed.
The day, step by step
- Morning. Hotel pick-up in Moshi or Arusha, then the drive to the park gate. Typical Moshi departure is about 06:30.
- Mid-morning. Game drive through forest, savannah and lake areas.
- Midday. Walking safari with an armed TANAPA ranger.
- Lunch. Picnic lunch at a designated spot inside the park.
- Afternoon. Momella Lakes (canoeing) and Ngurdoto Crater.
- Evening. Return to Moshi or Arusha.
The order can change with ranger schedules, weather and wildlife. Typical timing. Your exact pick-up and return time are confirmed according to your hotel, travel date and operating conditions.
Walking, canoeing and a game drive in one day
A vehicle-only Arusha National Park safari keeps you in the car. This day adds a ranger-led walk and a canoe outing on the Momella lakes.
Game drive
Wildlife viewing from your private safari vehicle through forest, savannah and lake areas. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Ranger-led walk
An armed TANAPA ranger, a park requirement, leads a slow, observational walk and sets the route. This is not a mountain hike.
Momella canoeing
Seated, guided paddling on the Momella lakes in life jackets, under guide supervision. No earlier experience is needed, and there is no swimming.
Ranger and park instructions always come first. Minimum ages for walking and canoeing are confirmed with you before booking. Families can read Tanzania day trips with kids.
What you can see in Arusha National Park
The park is small, and it mixes forest, open ground and lakes. That is why one day can include a game drive, a walk and a canoe outing. The Momella Lakes hold flamingos in some seasons, Ngurdoto Crater is part of the afternoon, and Mount Meru is the backdrop.
| Status | Animals |
|---|---|
| Year-round | Giraffe, buffalo, zebra, warthog, black-and-white colobus, blue monkey, hippo and about 400 bird species |
| Seasonal | Flamingos on the Momella Lakes (numbers vary with season and water level). Birding is stronger from November to April |
| Occasional | Elephant and leopard |
| Not present | Lion and rhino |
Sightings are never guaranteed, and animals move with the seasons. Want lions or leopard as a priority? See the Tarangire National Park day trip.
Included and not included
Included
- Private safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Park entry fees and all government taxes
- Walking safari with an armed TANAPA ranger
- Canoeing on the Momella lakes, with life jackets
- Picnic lunch inside the park
- Bottled drinking water
- Pick-up and drop-off in Moshi or Arusha
Not included
- Tips for the guide
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed as included
Park entry and activity fees are government-set and included in your Kilimania price. The current total is confirmed in your quote before booking.
Why book this with Kilimania
Starts in Moshi
You deal directly with a local operator based in Moshi, and the trip departs from Moshi or Arusha.
Price shown first
The price for your group size is shown above, before you enquire.
Private vehicle
The vehicle and itinerary are arranged for your booking, with a ranger-led walk and Momella canoeing in one day.
Licensed and registered
Class A TALA tour operator licence. TATO member.
Choose this or choose something else
Still deciding? Compare this trip with the alternatives below, or read the Arusha National Park day trip guide and the Arusha National Park versus Tarangire comparison.
Choose this if
- You are based in Arusha, or in Moshi and want a shorter drive than Tarangire
- You want a walk and a canoe outing, not only a vehicle drive
- You enjoy birds and photography
- You are an active traveller or a post-Kilimanjaro traveller
- You are bringing older children
Choose something else if
- Lions or leopard are your priority: see the Tarangire National Park day trip
- You want a mountain hike: see the Mount Meru day trip
- You want to swim: see the Chemka Hot Springs day trip
- Big Five is your priority: see the safari packages
- Mobility is limited: choose a vehicle-only safari and tell us your needs
More options: all Tanzania day trips · day trips from Arusha.
Safety and suitability
- The walk is led by an armed TANAPA ranger. Follow the ranger’s instructions and stay with the group.
- Canoeing is seated and guided. Everyone wears a life jacket, and a guide supervises. It depends on weather and lake conditions.
- Swimming is not part of this trip.
- Tell Kilimania about mobility, health or accessibility needs before booking. A vehicle-only safari may suit you better.
- Wildlife sightings and activity availability are never guaranteed.
Children are welcome on many vehicle-based day trips, but hiking, walking safaris, canoeing and mountain activities have different safety requirements. Confirm your child’s age with Kilimania before booking. Children are suitable with supervision, and very young children may need closer watching.
Park rules come from the park authority: Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA).
Practical information
Bring
- Closed walking shoes and neutral-coloured clothing
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Light jacket and rain protection
- Water shoes or strapped sandals for canoeing
- Binoculars and camera
Bottled drinking water is included. See the Tanzania day trip packing list.
Food and water
A picnic lunch at a designated spot inside the park and bottled drinking water are included. Tell us about dietary needs when you enquire.
Transport
Private safari vehicle from Moshi (75–80 km, about 1.5–2 hours to the park) or Arusha (25–35 km, about 45–60 minutes). Arusha pick-up is available. The price is confirmed in your quote.
Typical timing. Your exact pick-up and return time are confirmed according to your hotel, travel date and operating conditions.
Field note from your safari lead
“Most travelers arrive expecting a smaller version of Tarangire. What they remember afterward is the walking.”
Why it matters: if you expect Tarangire’s elephant herds, this park will feel different. Its draw is the walk and the quiet canoe outing on Momella, where hippos are often heard before they are seen.
By Kanti Kessy, safari lead at Kilimania, with 17 years on the Northern Circuit.
Photos from Arusha National Park
Photos show the park and are not a promise of a sighting or of an activity on your date.
Kilimania day trip reviews (all trips, not only this one)
We have no reviews written specifically for this trip yet. Read what travellers say about Kilimania Adventure overall:
How booking works
- Send your preferred date and group size.
- Kilimania checks availability.
- We confirm the itinerary and exact price.
- Payment instructions are provided.
- Pick-up details are confirmed.
- You travel according to the confirmed itinerary.
Quote Request Received
Thank you. We’ll confirm availability and your exact price for your group size. We reply 7 days a week (EAT, UTC+3) within 12 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Can I walk in Arusha National Park?
Yes. The walking safari is led by an armed TANAPA ranger, which the park requires. The pace is slow and observational, and the ranger sets the route. Follow the ranger’s instructions and stay with the group. It is a wildlife walk, not a mountain hike.
Is Momella canoeing included in the price?
Yes. Canoeing on the Momella lakes is part of this day, with life jackets and guide supervision. You sit and paddle with a guide, and no earlier canoeing experience is needed. Canoeing depends on weather and lake conditions. Swimming is not part of the trip.
What age is allowed for the walking safari and canoeing?
Children are suitable with supervision, and reasonably fit older children can canoe. Very young children may need closer watching. Minimum ages are confirmed before you book, so tell us your child’s age and we confirm what each activity allows.
Is this the same as the Mount Meru day hike?
No. This is a safari-style day with a game drive, a ranger-led walk and canoeing. The Mount Meru day trip is a separate guided mountain hike with its own booking. Compare both pages before you choose.
What wildlife can I see?
Year-round: giraffe, buffalo, zebra, warthog, colobus and blue monkeys, hippo and about 400 bird species. Flamingos are seasonal, and elephant and leopard are occasional. Lions and rhinos do not live in the park. Sightings are never guaranteed.
How far is the park, and can I start from Arusha?
From Moshi it is 75–80 km, about 1.5–2 hours; from Arusha 25–35 km, about 45–60 minutes. Yes, you can start from Arusha. Typical Moshi departure is around 06:30. The Arusha pick-up price is confirmed in your quote.
Is lunch included, and do I get water?
Yes. A picnic lunch at a designated spot inside the park and bottled drinking water are included. Tell us about dietary needs when you enquire. Tips, personal expenses and travel insurance are not included.
Is this a private day trip?
Yes. The vehicle and itinerary are arranged for your booking, and the price depends on your group size. Joining is by request on selected dates. For groups larger than five, contact Kilimania for a group quotation.
Plan better
- Guide: Arusha National Park day trip guide
- Compare: Arusha National Park versus Tarangire
- More day trips: day trips from Arusha
- Other trips: Tarangire National Park day trip · Mount Meru day trip
- Planning: Tanzania day trip cost · when to take day trips in Tanzania
- Longer trips: safari packages · Kilimanjaro joining calendar
- Terms: booking terms and cancellation · contact
Ready to check your date?
Free cancellation up to 2 days before pick-up.
Last updated October 2026
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