The largest of several alkaline lakes that are located inside Arusha national park of northern Tanzania. It serves as a tourist hotspot, with several animals to see including both greater and lesser flamingoes, hippos, and several other bird species. It has a maximum and minimum depth of 31 m and 10 m respectively and also supports microalgae.
Big Momella is located next to the northeastern border of Arusha national park, and next to its siblings small Momella and lake Rishateni. In fact, the eastern shore of the lake is land belonging to a farmer’s settlement.
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
In general, the best time to visit Arusha National Park is from June to October – the dry season when the animals are easier to observe as they congregate.
WHY VISIT?
After visiting Momella lake Gets the chance to see:
- Hundreds of flamingos rise to the sky with their pink color.
- You may also see hippos
- Giraffes and watch them in their natural habitat.
- Enjoy a sundowner with a magnificent view of Mt. Kilimanjaro
WHAT YOU CAN DO/DO ACTIVITIES?
· Game drives around it and its neighboring lakes Ristasheni and with several viewpoints, campsites, and picnic sites from which you could spend time.
· Visit the cave waterfall. The cave falls are a waterfall as well as one of the many water sources for the Arusha Urban Water Supply Authority that are located just a short distance inside the Arusha national park and on the slopes of mount Meru – Tanzania.
· Kilimanjaro view point (Arusha). A beautiful picnic site on the slopes of mount Meru that provides amazing views of Mount Kilimanjaro from afar, but only on a day with clear skies. More reliable views are those of most of Arusha national park’s lowlands from an elevated altitude, along with that of the Ngurudoto crater rim.
· Also, you can choose to visit waterfalls inside the park Tulusua waterfalls, Maio waterfalls, Napuru waterfalls
· Momella view point
· Boating and Canoeing Glide through pink colonies of chattering flamingos, approach grazing buffalo on the shoreline and enjoy the company of snorting hippos.
· Walking Safaris, the African bush on foot, the sounds and smells of nature – feeling the elements and close encounters with the game is the most evocative safari experience
Getting to Lake Momella
Start from Arusha to Arusha national park by vehicle, with no preference for 4 x 4’s over conventional 2-wheel drives. You could then reach lake Momella once in the Arusha national park