Mt Meru is the main attraction is this small but very beautiful park, just 21km (13miles) outside of Arusha, Africa's fifth highest mountain with a height of: 14,979ft (4,566m).
 
Established in 1960 in an area of 137sq km (53 sq miles) the park has three very different areas:
- The Mt Meru Crater
- The Ngurdoto Crater and
- the Momella Lakes, seven in total:
  El Kekhotoito - Big Momella - Little Momella - Tulusia
  Lekandiro - Kusare - Rishateni,
  are as is usual along the rift valley, alkaline lakes.
 
  Some of the lake support enough of the Blue Green algae
  needed for the Flamingos which come to feed, while others
  support a varied bird life, over 400 species of birds have
  been recorded in the park.

Emerging from the forest to the floor of the crater where the waters of the Ngare Nanyuki collect, one can see the rear wall of the crater rising upto 4,920ft (1,500m) a favourate place for birds of prey. Here one can see Klipspringer amongst the old lava flows. There is some interesting flora to be found here such as: Hebenstretia, which only gives off its sweet scent at dusk, and also Hypericum Lanceolatum a vivid yellow flower.

This is a reserve within a reserve, it is not allowed for tourists to go down into the crater so the animals can be alone in the damp swamp which lies at the bottom of the crater.

Were formed when Mt Meru blew its top and sides out in a torrent of mud and debris, it is thought that Mt Meru was probably higher than Kilimanjaro at some stage, until it blew out its top and entire eastern side. it is still a hard climb to the summit at 14,979ft.

The park is well known for its Cape Buffalo, which are reputed to be particularly bad tempered, it is always necessary to take a armed ranger when walking in the park! Other animals include: Elephant, Giraffe, Wart Hog, Gazelles of different types and Black and White Colobus Monkeys.

Are very popular in the park, and many tourists enjoy stretching their legs after a long safari here. It is also often climbed before the attempt on Kilimanjaro in order to better acclimatize oneself for the highest mountain in Africa - Kilimanjaro.