Arusha covers an Area of 13,700 hactares, the National Park Altitude is 1,400 to 4,565 meters above sea level. Arusha National Park covers the eastern portion of Mount Meru and extends 16 km to the east of the mountain. The site lies to the east of the Rift Valley and to the west of Mount Kilimanjaro (TZ003). The park encompasses a wide variety of habitats including montane forest similar to that on Mount Kilimanjaro, characterized by Diospyrosabyssinica, Oleawelwitschii, O. hochstetteri and O. africana, and several freshwater and alkaline lakes, ponds and swamps. The Important Bird Area also includes lower and mid-altitude forest lying outside the park in Forest Reserves.

Arusha is known to support at least 411 species, including Ardeolaidae, as a non-breeding visitor in small numbers, and one species of the Serengeti plains Endemic Bird Area, as well as 11 species of the Somali - Masaibiome. The National Park is the only protected area utilized by the declining East African population of Oxyuramaccoa which winters on the large alkaline lakes and breeds in the small, secluded freshwater ponds and swamps.

The mountain streams hold Anassparsa and the towering cliffs support a large population of Apusniansae and two pairs of Gypaetusbarbatus. Apushorus and Meropsbullockoides share nestsites along the riverbanks, while the swamp on the floor of Ngurdoto Crater provides a safe nest-site for Ephippiorhynchussenegalensis. There are important populations of montane forest birds in the natural forest including Poicephalusgulielmi, Apalodermavittatum and Linurgusolivaceus.