• Description

The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkey and colorful turacos and trongns- the only place on the northen safari circut where the acrobatic black- and white colobus monkey is easily seen. In the midst of the forest stands the spectacukar Ngurdoto Crater, whose steep, rocky cliffs enclosed a wide morshy floor datted with herds of buffalo and warthog. Futher north, rolling grassy hills enclosed the tranquil beauty of the Momela Lakes, each one a different hue of green or blue. Their shallow sometimes tinged pink with thousands of flamingos, the lakes support a rich selection of resident and migrant water fowl, and shaggy waterbucks display their large lyre-shaped horns on the watery finges. Giraffes glide across the grassy hills, between grazing zebra herds, while pairs of wide- eyed dik-dik dart into scrubby bush like overgrown hares on spingly legs.

Although elephants are upcommon in Arusha National Park, and lions absent altogether, leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen slinking around in the early morning and late afternoon. It s also at dusk and down that the veil of cloud on the eastern horizon is most likely to clear, revealing the majestic snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro, only 50km (30miles) distant.

But it is Kilimanjaro's unassuming cousin, Mount Meru the fifth in Africa at 4,566 MASL metres(14,990 feet) - that dominates the parks horizon. its peaks and eastern foot slopes protected within the national park, Meru offers unparralleded views of its famous neighbor, while also forming a rewording hiking destonation its own right.

Passing first through woodiest savannah where buffalos and giraffes are frequently encountered,the ascent of Meru leads into forest aflame with red- hot pokers and dripping with Spanish moss, before reaching high open health spiked with giant lobelias, Everlating flowers cling to the apline desert, as dilicately- hoofed klip springers mark the hike's progress. Astride the craggy summit, Kilimanjaro stnads unveiled, blushing in the sunrise.

Size:  542sq km (205miles)
Location:   Northern Tanzania, northeast of Arusha town
Getting there:  An easy 40 minute drive from Arusha
Approximately 60km (35miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited in the coursed of half- day outing at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari
To do:  Game drive, canoeing, walking safaris (through different types of vegetation and habitats), Mt Meru climb (ood acclimatization for Kilimanjaro), numerous view points and some picnic sites.