We are considering staying in Arusha an extra day to do a game drive into Arusha National Park. This would be our first game drive on arrival in Tanzania. Is this worth doing ? Comments on the park ?

galiano:
IMO, yes if you do the canoeing (with Green Footprints). We did it and Leely just got back and did it. Here are links to our reports:

Mine: http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...ion+wildebeest

Leely's

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...of++wildebeest

It is "participatory"--only 1 person can be in the canoe with the guide.

galiano:
I just remembered that you read my report at the time that I posted it.

I should also add that my friends did the day trip without the canoeing and had a great time--on the walk part of it a group of giraffes came through.

I thought it was a great introduction--as you would be doing it--not sure about doing it after being in the serengeti. Leely, do you agree? [although the canoeing is different than elsewere]

Yes, as bat says our party really enjoyed this. Maybe I'd call the game drive a lame drive if done after visiting the Serengeti, but the walking and the canoeing are wonderful.

Kidding about the lame drive thing. This is a nice day trip, and the park is green and lush, different than the other parks on the Northern Circuit.

Have a wonderful time. I so wish I were about to head off instead of recently returned.

This question is for Bat. Can I ask how much you paid for the day trip to Arusha Park and the canoe trip? I am interested but have not seen the price on Green Footprints website. Much thanks.

Travelingbug:

For Feb 06 the pricing, for the full day excursion including canoeing was: $120 for transportation/driver/guide plus $25 pp for regular park fees plus an extra $20 pp for park canoeing fees plus 32pp for the canoeing.

So $120 divided by the number of people then add $77pp.
But I think that prices were going up, perhaps to $87pp plus the $120 divided by number in the party. Leely just returned so she would have more recent pricing.

If you are doing an Arusha NP day trip with someone other than Green Foot Print, you can still do the canoeing with GFP (they have exclusive rights)--your guide will take you to them in the park. But we liked Green Foot Print very much so I would recommend doing the full day with them.

I was recently quoted $180 ppn (2006 rate?) for early January and Mirjam wrote back recently to expect a ~5% increase for 2007 rates. 3 persons hike, game drive and then canoe in Arusha N.P.

Bat I like your pricing!

We just got back on Saturday night - still working on a trip report for everyone (needless to say it was an incredible trip). Anyway - I really liked Arusha National Park - it was completely different than anywhere else we went and we saw a treefull of Colobus monkees that were so cool.

We did the canoeing - not the highlight of the day - we saw a few hippo, but we saw so many more later in the trip it really wasn't worth the extra $50 pp - and I had forgotten how much work it can be on a windy day! The walk with the rangers was much better.

We have about 2000 photos to cull thru so as soon as I can I will get a trip report up and a photo link.

Csuss

Welcome back, csuss! Looking forward to your report and photos.

lovetodiscover,
We paid $180 pp.

Welcome back, csuss!

So I actually got a bargain on this trip and underpaid for something? Remarkable considering how well I busted our budget at every opportunity.

Galiano

u r asking about gamedrive:

well, Arusha Park is a well kept secret

Tha Momela Lakes r fantastic:
different colours of the different lakes, plus Flamingoes..very nice view points...
Try to be there at low light dusk/dawn

I simply love the Ngurdoto-side Montane Forest. Best place to see Colobus Monkeys (Better than Aberdares or Mt. Kenya) plus Sykes Monkeys and forest birds . Usually u can observe quietly as few people visit the park

Need a romantic meal? take a picnic to eat on a table viewing Ngurdoto - It is a Caldera, kind of a mini-Ngorongoro

for the first game-drive u wouldn't appreciate the ease of finding Duikers (small forest antelopes) but return to Arusha (in the future) after a few Safaris in other parks (with hardly any sightings)...

Here u shall see your first Giraffes (many!) , Buffaloes Wart Hogs etc'
you can do a little foot safari with a ranger (Ask to see the strangler figs)

AND there is a 4X4 track which goes up Mount Meru - only place you can reach the Afro-Alpine Belt (well if u r not climbing Kili) !!!

many people skip this park

IMHO it is a big mistake

aby

Great replies. We have decided to take a full day in Arusha NP.