Google Maps zoom Arusha Clock Tower Arusha, Tanzania. Photo by Joris Leermakers. © All rights reserved zoom Kilimanjaro Golf & Wildlife Estate Kilimanjaro Golf & Wildlife Estate, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved zoom Hiking in Arusha NP Arusha National Park, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved zoom Mt Kilimanjaro seen from Arusha Arusha, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved zoom Maasai Craft Market Arusha, Tanzania. Photo by Gimas. © All rights reserved zoom Flamingos in the Momela Lakes Arusha National Park, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved zoom Giraffe in front of Mt Meru Mount Meru, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved zoom Wa-arusha homestead Foothills of Mt Meru, Tanzania. Photo by Ariadne van Zandbergen. © All rights reserved Previous image Next image Arusha is often referred to as the safari capital of Tanzania. For good reason. This well-equipped city, situated a short drive west of the gateway Kilimanjaro International Airport, is the main hub for safaris to iconicRead more parks such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. That aside, Arusha is also an attractive and welcoming city, with a low-rise feel, plenty of green areas, and a memorable location on the southern footslopes of majestic Mt Meru, Africa’s fifth-highest massif. Population ± 650,000 people Time Zone Eastern Africa Time (UTC+3) Languages Kiswahili and English Currency Tanzanian shilling Safaris From Arusha First Time in Arusha? zoom Aerial view of the city Easily explored on foot, Arusha provides a safe and stimulating introduction to Tanzania for first-time visitors. Its vibrant architectural and cultural blend includes timeworn colonial-era buildings, shiny modern hotels, red-robed Maasai herders, markets piled high withRead more fresh produce, aromatic Indian restaurants, funky terrace cafés, and much else besides. The city has a diverse economy, too. The safari industry enjoys a high profile, but agriculture, commerce, tanzanite mining and NGOs all play an important role. Arusha also has considerable political clout as the headquarters of the East African Community.This is a strikingly green city. It lies on the fertile well-watered slopes of Mt Meru, a dormant volcano whose 4,562m/14,967ft peak dominates the northern skyline. Before you head off on safari, the surrounding area is also worth exploring. Forests, craters and lakes abound in underrated Arusha National Park, while cultural programs at Maasai and Wa-arusha villages provide insight into traditional lifestyles. Best Things To Do in Arusha Shop for Tanzanian art and crafts Local handicrafts, including surreal Makonde sculptures and Tingatinga paintings, can be bought at the central Maasai Craft Market or out-of-town Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre. Go on safari to some of Africa’s finest parks Arusha is the main hub for road and fly-in safaris to Tanzania’s Northern circuit, which includes Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks, as well as Ngorongoro Crater. Experience village life on a cultural program Meet the Wa-arusha people at Ng’iresi or Mulala, visit traditional Maasai herders at Longido, or do a camelback outing at Mkuru. Drop into the Tanzanite Experience You’ll learn all about tanzanite, a blue gemstone unique to northeast Tanzania, at this free private gallery. It’s also a good place to buy tanzanite jewelry. Make a day trip to Arusha National Park Highlights of this multifaceted park include canoeing on bird-rich lakes, forest hikes on the slopes of Mt Meru, the staggeringly gorgeous Ngurdoto Crater, and occasional views to snowcapped Mt Kilimanjaro. Play a round of golf Golfers can head to the nine-hole course at the central Gymkhana Club or 18-hole course at the out-of-town Kilimanjaro Golf & Wildlife Estate. Canoe or hike at Lake Duluti Canoeing trips are available at this forest-fringed crater lake. You can also enjoy a guided walk to see monkeys and birds, or sundowners in view of Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro. Learn more about Tanzania at Arusha’s museums The Natural History Museum is housed in the German-built Old Boma, which dates to 1900. The Arusha Declaration Museum focuses on the colonial and post-independence eras. Visit a fair-trade coffee cooperative Guided walks from Nkoaranga village visit local subsistence farms that form part of an organic fair-trade coffee cooperative. A traditional buffet lunch is included. Get close to Africa’s gentlest giants Set on rewilded land, the Arusha Giraffe Centre is home to translocated giraffes and an education center that examines why Africa’s giraffe population has halved since the 1990s. Staying Safe zoom Arusha Clock Tower Arusha is generally a safe city. Walking around by day is fine, but pickpockets are not unheard of, so don’t carry valuables and keep your wits about you.The old city center swarms with persistent hawkers andRead more flycatchers (the local term for touts who try to lure visitors into safari operator offices). Some visitors find this annoying or stressful, but it is not a security issue.As is the case in many cities, it is unsafe to walk in parts of Arusha after dark. Unless you know the city well, it is best to err on the side of caution and use taxis. Any restaurant or hotel can connect you with a reliable cab driver.A popular alternative to staying in Arusha is booking into one of the many mid-range and upmarket lodges at Lake Duluti, Usa River, Arusha National Park and elsewhere along the main road to Kilimanjaro International Airport. These hotels are all very safe and rates are usually full board, so generally there’s no need to leave the grounds after dark. Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions Safety & Security – Tanzania Getting There & Around zoom Arusha Airport International visitors to Arusha usually land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). This important regional travel hub stands 50km/31mi east of Arusha and is served by around a dozen international airlines.Another possibility is to fly to DarRead more es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) or Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Kenya, then get a connecting flight.Some flights from Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), but lighter aircraft generally use Arusha Airport (ARK). This small domestic airport on the western outskirts of Arusha is also the departure point for practically all flights to Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara and other safari destinations.If you are on an organized safari, the operator will usually handle airport pickups and drop-offs, as well as other local transport. If not, charter taxis are plentiful and can easily be hailed on the street or booked through a hotel or restaurant. Want To Go on a Safari From Arusha? Safaris From Arusha
Shop for Tanzanian art and crafts Local handicrafts, including surreal Makonde sculptures and Tingatinga paintings, can be bought at the central Maasai Craft Market or out-of-town Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre.
Go on safari to some of Africa’s finest parks Arusha is the main hub for road and fly-in safaris to Tanzania’s Northern circuit, which includes Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks, as well as Ngorongoro Crater.
Experience village life on a cultural program Meet the Wa-arusha people at Ng’iresi or Mulala, visit traditional Maasai herders at Longido, or do a camelback outing at Mkuru.
Drop into the Tanzanite Experience You’ll learn all about tanzanite, a blue gemstone unique to northeast Tanzania, at this free private gallery. It’s also a good place to buy tanzanite jewelry.
Make a day trip to Arusha National Park Highlights of this multifaceted park include canoeing on bird-rich lakes, forest hikes on the slopes of Mt Meru, the staggeringly gorgeous Ngurdoto Crater, and occasional views to snowcapped Mt Kilimanjaro.
Play a round of golf Golfers can head to the nine-hole course at the central Gymkhana Club or 18-hole course at the out-of-town Kilimanjaro Golf & Wildlife Estate.
Canoe or hike at Lake Duluti Canoeing trips are available at this forest-fringed crater lake. You can also enjoy a guided walk to see monkeys and birds, or sundowners in view of Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro.
Learn more about Tanzania at Arusha’s museums The Natural History Museum is housed in the German-built Old Boma, which dates to 1900. The Arusha Declaration Museum focuses on the colonial and post-independence eras.
Visit a fair-trade coffee cooperative Guided walks from Nkoaranga village visit local subsistence farms that form part of an organic fair-trade coffee cooperative. A traditional buffet lunch is included.
Get close to Africa’s gentlest giants Set on rewilded land, the Arusha Giraffe Centre is home to translocated giraffes and an education center that examines why Africa’s giraffe population has halved since the 1990s.
