Arusha National Park

🇹🇿 Tanzania

🐒 Blue Monkey Encounters in Arusha
🌍 #8 Global · 4.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #5 in Africa #6 in Savanna & Grassland
East Africa, Tanzania 1282 spp. recorded

Arusha National Park is a protected area in northeastern Tanzania, featuring lush montane forests, open grasslands, and tranquil crater lakes. This compact reserve stands apart from larger parks through its steep volcanic terrain and dense wooded canopies, where hikers traverse emerald trails beneath towering ash cones.

-3.250° S   36.773° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Mount Kilimanjaro Guereza ★

Mount Kilimanjaro Guereza

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Colobus caudatus

70–80% · Very likely
Blue Monkey ★
LC

Blue Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cercopithecus mitis

80–90% · Very likely
East African Giraffe ★

East African Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa tippelskirchi

70–80% · Very likely
Kilimanjaro two-horned chamaeleon ★
NT

Kilimanjaro two-horned chamaeleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Kinyongia tavetana

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Olive Baboon
LC

Olive Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio anubis

80–90% · Very likely
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

70–80% · Very likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

70–80% · Very likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

70–80% · Very likely
Northern Bushbuck
LC

Northern Bushbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus scriptus

70–80% · Very likely
Tropical Boubou

Tropical Boubou

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Laniarius major

60–70% · Likely
Little Bee-eater
LC

Little Bee-eater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Merops pusillus

60–70% · Likely
Northern Fiscal

Northern Fiscal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lanius humeralis

60–70% · Likely
Hadada
LC Endemic

Hadada

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bostrychia hagedash

60–70% · Likely
Little Grebe
LC

Little Grebe

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tachybaptus ruficollis

60–70% · Likely
Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

60–70% · Likely
Variable Sunbird
LC

Variable Sunbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cinnyris venustus

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Mount Kilimanjaro Guereza ★

Mount Kilimanjaro Guereza

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Colobus caudatus

70–80% · Very likely
Blue Monkey ★
LC

Blue Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cercopithecus mitis

80–90% · Very likely
East African Giraffe ★

East African Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa tippelskirchi

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Olive Baboon
LC

Olive Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio anubis

80–90% · Very likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

70–80% · Very likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

70–80% · Very likely
Northern Bushbuck
LC

Northern Bushbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus scriptus

70–80% · Very likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

50–60% · Likely
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

50–60% · Likely
Natal Duiker
LC

Natal Duiker

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cephalophus natalensis

50–60% · Likely
Vervet Monkey
LC

Vervet Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

30–40% · Possible
Ochre Bush Squirrel
LC

Ochre Bush Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Paraxerus ochraceus

20–30% · Possible
Suni

Suni

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Neotragus moschatus

20–30% · Possible
African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

10–20% · With luck
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

70–80% · Very likely
Tropical Boubou

Tropical Boubou

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Laniarius major

60–70% · Likely
Little Bee-eater
LC

Little Bee-eater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Merops pusillus

60–70% · Likely
Northern Fiscal

Northern Fiscal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lanius humeralis

60–70% · Likely
Hadada
LC Endemic

Hadada

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bostrychia hagedash

60–70% · Likely
Little Grebe
LC

Little Grebe

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tachybaptus ruficollis

60–70% · Likely
Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

60–70% · Likely
Variable Sunbird
LC

Variable Sunbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cinnyris venustus

60–70% · Likely
Blacksmith Lapwing
LC

Blacksmith Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus armatus

50–60% · Likely
African Dusky Flycatcher
LC

African Dusky Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Muscicapa adusta

50–60% · Likely
Black Sawwing
LC

Black Sawwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Psalidoprocne pristoptera

50–60% · Likely
Green-backed Camaroptera
LC

Green-backed Camaroptera

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Camaroptera brachyura

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Kilimanjaro two-horned chamaeleon ★
NT

Kilimanjaro two-horned chamaeleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Kinyongia tavetana

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

African Striped Skink
LC

African Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis striata

40–50% · Likely
Leopard Tortoise
LC

Leopard Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stigmochelys pardalis

10–20% · With luck
Kenyan Rock Agama
LC

Kenyan Rock Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Agama lionotus

Insufficient data
Flap-necked Chameleon
LC

Flap-necked Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Chamaeleo dilepis

Insufficient data
Dodoma Rock Agama

Dodoma Rock Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Agama dodomae

Insufficient data
Red-lipped Snake
LC

Red-lipped Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia

Insufficient data
Jackson's Chameleon
LC

Jackson's Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trioceros jacksonii

Insufficient data
Jackson's Forest Lizard

Jackson's Forest Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Adolfus kibonotensis

Insufficient data
Puff Adder
LC

Puff Adder

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Bitis arietans

Insufficient data
Battersby's Green Snake
LC

Battersby's Green Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Philothamnus battersbyi

Insufficient data
African Rock Python
NT

African Rock Python

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Python sebae

Insufficient data
Werner's Water Snake
LC

Werner's Water Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Crotaphopeltis tornieri

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Common Reed Frog
LC

Common Reed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hyperolius viridiflavus

Insufficient data
Nutt's River Frog
LC

Nutt's River Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Amietia nutti

Insufficient data
Marsabit Clawed Frog
LC

Marsabit Clawed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Xenopus borealis

Insufficient data
Senegal Kassina
LC

Senegal Kassina

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Kassina senegalensis

Insufficient data
Nile Ridged Frog
LC

Nile Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena nilotica

Insufficient data
Mababe puddle frog
LC

Mababe puddle frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Phrynobatrachus mababiensis

Insufficient data
Mt. Meru Stream Frog
LC Endemic

Mt. Meru Stream Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Strongylopus merumontanus

Insufficient data
Natal Puddle Frog
LC

Natal Puddle Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Phrynobatrachus natalensis

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Primate Foraging and Forest Canopy Peak

MarJul

During these months, Blue Monkeys and Kilimanjaro Colobus experience heightened foraging activity in the fruiting trees, making troop dynamics and vocalizations much easier to observe.

Blue Monkey
LC

Blue Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cercopithecus mitis

80–90% · Very likely
Mount Kilimanjaro Guereza

Mount Kilimanjaro Guereza

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Colobus caudatus

70–80% · Very likely
🦎

Reptilian Reproductive and Thermoregulation Phase

MarJulNov

Kilimanjaro two-horned chamaeleons and African Striped Skinks exhibit peak basking and territorial behaviors as temperature shifts prompt them to seek optimal sunlight on forest branches.

African Striped Skink
LC

African Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis striata

40–50% · Likely
Kilimanjaro two-horned chamaeleon
NT

Kilimanjaro two-horned chamaeleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Kinyongia tavetana

50–60% · Likely
🐸

Wetland Breeding and Amphibian Chorus

JanMar

Seasonal rains trigger intense breeding choruses from Common Reed Frogs around the Momella Lakes, filling the wetlands with distinct mating calls and aquatic activity.

Nutt's River Frog
LC

Nutt's River Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Amietia nutti

Insufficient data
Common Reed Frog
LC

Common Reed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hyperolius viridiflavus

Insufficient data

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
Mount Kilimanjaro Guereza
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
50–60
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
Blue Monkey
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
60–70
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
70–80
80–90
70–80
East African Giraffe
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
Kilimanjaro two-horned chamaeleon
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
Olive Baboon
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
Common Bulbul
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
Waterbuck
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
Common Warthog
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
Northern Bushbuck
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
Tropical Boubou
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
Little Bee-eater
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
70–80
50–60
Northern Fiscal
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
70–80
70–80
Hadada
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
Little Grebe
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
60–70
70–80
60–70
Egyptian Goose
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
80–90
60–70
Variable Sunbird
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
Animal Events
🦌 Primate Foraging and Forest Canopy Peak
🦎 Reptilian Reproductive and Thermoregulation Phase
🐸 Wetland Breeding and Amphibian Chorus

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🐒 Blue Monkey Encounters in Arusha

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
860
🐒 Mammals
230
🦎 Reptiles
150
🐸 Amphibians
42
1282 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
40 Threatened 27 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
72%
📊
Coverage (260 species at ≥5% of 1282 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
20%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (7 mammal, 5 bird)
46% Global avg
65%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
213
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
24
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
50

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Arusha National Park?

The most likely sightings are Blue Monkey (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Olive Baboon (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Mount Kilimanjaro Guereza (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Common Bulbul (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Waterbuck (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 1282 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Arusha National Park for wildlife?

February has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Mount Kilimanjaro Guereza in Arusha National Park?

Yes — about 79% of wildlife watchers report a Mount Kilimanjaro Guereza sighting in Arusha National Park, based on 87 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Blue Monkey in Arusha National Park?

Yes — about 82% of wildlife watchers report a Blue Monkey sighting in Arusha National Park, based on 104 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see East African Giraffe in Arusha National Park?

Yes — about 73% of wildlife watchers report a East African Giraffe sighting in Arusha National Park, based on 68 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Kilimanjaro two-horned chamaeleon in Arusha National Park?

Yes — about 59% of wildlife watchers report a Kilimanjaro two-horned chamaeleon sighting in Arusha National Park, based on 39 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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