Arusha National Park.

The closest national park to Arusha town, Arusha National Park is a multi-faced jewel, often overlooked by safarigoers, despite offering the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats within a few hours.

Size: 137sq km.
Location: Northern Tanzania, northeast of Arusha town.
Getting there: An easy 40minute drive from Arusha. Approximately 60km from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and Ngurudoto Crater can all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari.
What to do: Forest walks, numerous picnic sites, three or four day Mt Meru climb.
When to go: To climb MT Meru, June-February although it may rain in November.Best views of Kilimanjaro  December-February.
Accommodation: Lodges, Rest houses, Camp sites, Mountain Huts inside the park. Lodges, Hotels and Guest Houses around USA River and Arusha town.