A volcano, a forest, a crater lake. Many travellers pass through Arusha – few stay. Yet this place was once a retreat for literary minds: Hardy Krüger lived here, overlooking Mount Meru, the proud younger brother of Kilimanjaro. And those who pass through the gates of Arusha National Park step into a forgotten chapter – a quiet prelude, almost skipped over.
This park is not a spectacle. Not a place for trophy shots or superlatives. But it is full of poetry. Colobus monkeys swing through moss-draped treetops. Giraffes stroll across ancient lava fields. Mist drifts through the mountain forest like a memory you can’t quite hold. And above it all rises Mount Meru – 4,566 metres tall, often veiled in clouds, always present.
A Park Like a Sketch – Quiet but True
Arusha is a mosaic. Tropical rainforest meets open clearings. Lakes shimmer in hues of green and blue, sometimes pink when flamingos gather. Waterbucks on the shore, buffalo in tall grass, and now and then a leopard on silent paws. And in between: silence. No caravans of tourists, no rush. Those who slow down are rewarded with moments that feel entirely their own – like the view from the rim of Ngurdoto Crater, a miniature version of its famous sibling, Ngorongoro. The park is small, but its richness doesn’t lie in numbers – it lies in proximity. In the intensity of a single gaze. In the understanding that what speaks softly often speaks the truest.
“Hatari!” – Hollywood, Hardy Krüger & John Wayne, and the Birth of Safari Romance
In 1962, this place made film history: “Hatari!”, a classic adventure movie starring John Wayne, was filmed in and around Arusha – on Hardy Krüger’s Momella Farm. Krüger played the German animal catcher Kurt Müller – a defining role in a film that used real wildlife, real landscapes, and real East African atmosphere. You see Mount Meru. Giraffes by the lake. Zebras in morning light. Monkeys in mango trees.
The landscapes of today’s Arusha National Park captured the world’s imagination – not as backdrop, but as longing “Hatari!” wasn’t just a hit – it defined what many still imagine when they hear the word safari: closeness, wildness, wonder. For many, the dream of Africa still carries the scent of that film – without knowing it started right here.
With Jackpot Safaris – Before the Journey Truly Begins
At Jackpot Safaris, Arusha isn’t a stopover. It’s the overture – a gentle tune-up before the grand adventure begins. Here, you make your first observations. Tune into the rhythm of Africa. No stress, no plan. Just nature. Perhaps a short hike through the misty forest. Or a canoe ride across Momella Lake. Or simply a quiet moment on a bench – watching giraffes wander past volcanic stone. And maybe, just maybe, this is where you’ll take the one photo that later means more than all your shots from the Serengeti. Arusha National Park is like a song you almost miss. But once you truly hear it, it never lets you go.
If you have any questions or would like to explore Arusha National Park on a customised safari, just drop us a line.