Arusha National Park consists of Momela Lakes, Meru crater and the Ngurdoto crater. On clear days magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mont Meru can easily be seen. The park is famous for its 400 species of birdlife, both migrant and resident, and the black and white colobus monkey. Other animals which can be found in the park are elephant, baboon, giraffe, hippo, leopard, hyena and a wide range of antelope species. Because of its close proximity to Arusha and its size, it is an ideal place for a day excursion.

The crater is popularly known as the eighth wonder of the world. It covers an area of 259 square km (100sq. miles). With 610 meters high walls, making it the largest intact crater in the world. It is home to up to 25,000 larger mammals, almost half of them zebra and wildebeest. There are also buffalo, gazelle, eland and wart hog. Such vast numbers attract predators a plenty, mainly lions, leopards, cheetah and hyena. A teeming bird life can also be found. More than 100 species of birds not found in Serengeti have been spotted here. Where as the temperature on the rim of the crater is usually chilly and the atmosphere foggy, half way down the crater it brightens and becomes savanna warm temperature at the bottom of the crater.

Lake Manyara National Park covers an area of 390 sq. km, It is a ground water reservoir which is partially fed by small rivers flowing down the escarpment. There are hot water springs, which were formed at the time of faulting of the rift valley. The lake attracts huge flocks of birds. There are thousands of flamingo whose pink coloring is reflected beautifully by the waters of the lake. Other species of bird found here include pelican, storks, sacred ibis and Egyptian geese. It is here that one encounters the tree-climbing lions, which spend hours on the branches of the acacia tree, three to seven meters above the ground.