Arusha City

Overview

The Geneva Of Africa

Arusha sits in northern Tanzania at about 1,500m above sea level, right below verdant Mount Meru. Thanks to its elevation, the city enjoys a pleasantly cool, spring-like climate year-round. For travelers, Arusha is known as Tanzania’s safari capital – many Arusha safari tours and expeditions begin here. In fact, the city has long been celebrated as “the ideal gateway” to East Africa’s famous parks. Within an hour or two you can reach world-renowned destinations: Kilimanjaro National Park (80 km), Arusha National Park (32 km), Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and legendary Serengeti National Park. Arusha is also a busy meeting hub – hosting the East African Community headquarters and international conferences. Don’t miss that Arusha doubles as Tanzania’s unique gem hub: the town is the main trading center for rare Tanzanite gemstones mined just to the north.

City Attractions

Arusha’s city center offers plenty to explore before you head into the bush. History buffs can visit the:-

Arusha Declaration Museum (the site of Julius Nyerere’s 1967 declaration) and the old German-era fort at the foot of Mount Meru, now a natural history museum.
The Clock Tower – a local landmark – even marks the point midway between Cairo and Cape Town.
Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre (Ali & Nino), a renowned complex with African art, traditional crafts, and Tanzanian coffee. Nearby cathedrals and mosques add to the city’s atmosphere, and the friendly Tanzanian people make for warm interactions.
The Central Market (City Market) bustles with fresh produce, spices and street food.
A stroll through colorful Masai Market stalls is a highlight – here Maasai artisans sell bead jewelry, carvings and textiles.
Don’t leave Arusha without indulging in Tanzanite shopping: Arusha is the main market for this unique blue-violet gemstone, and you’ll find many honest dealers and craftspeople selling Tanzanite jewelry. (Bargaining is common in markets, and cash in USD or Tanzanian shillings works fine.)
Meserani Snake Park just outside town, where you can see cobras, pythons and even do a camel ride.
For a panoramic view of the city and Mount Meru, the Arusha National Park gate just past the city offers guided walks and a chance to see giraffes and flamingos.

When to Visit

Arusha’s highland climate means it’s fairly pleasant year-round, but there are distinct seasons.

The long dry season (June–October) is generally considered the best time to visit. During these months the weather is sunny and cool, wildlife parks are easily accessible, and animals gather around waterholes making game-viewing excellent.
The short rains (November–December) bring lush green scenery but occasional downpours.
Tanzania’s long rains (March–May) are the wettest period; April and May often see heavy rain, so travel can be slowed. That said, December–February can still be a good shoulder season with fewer crowds and only intermittent showers.

Excursion and Activities in Arusha

From Arusha you have countless adventure options. Safari tours are the main draw. Day-trips or longer excursions run to the Northern Circuit:

Arusha National Park (just 45 minutes away) has lowland forests, the Ngurdoto Crater, and Momella Lakes with flamingos and giraffes.
Tarangire National Park (2 hours away) is famous for elephant herds and baobab trees, and
Lake Manyara (2.5 hours) is known for its tree-climbing lions and birdlife. T
Ngorongoro Crater and the vast Serengeti are accessible by multi-day tour – book with a reputable local safari operator. (In fact, the Serengeti lies just a few hours’ drive and is often reached via Arusha.)
Hike Mount Meru (4–5 day trek) for spectacular views, or do a gentle nature walk in Arusha NP with a ranger.
coffee farm and waterfall: the Mount Meru Waterfalls tour includes a Meru village visit and fresh coffee tasting.
Maasai village tour in nearby hills (Monduli or Tengeru) to learn about pastoral life.
In town you can catch a local music night, try out a Tanzanian cooking class, or even go on a guided cycling tour of the city.

Where to stay

Arusha offers accommodation for every budget. In town you’ll find -

International-standard hotels and lodges (e.g. Four Points by Sheraton, Gran Melia, Arusha Serena Hotel) that cater to safari-goers. These often feature nice gardens or pools and are conveniently located near restaurants.
Mid-range guesthouses and eco-lodges in suburbs like Kati and Olasiti are quieter and good for families.
Budget travelers can choose from backpacker hostels or small guesthouses downtown; dorm beds and clean private rooms can start around \$15–\$25.
For a unique experience, some visitors opt to stay in the Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge or similar eco-retreats just outside town, set on riverfronts and offering forest walks. When booking, note that high season (July–Oct, Dec–Jan) can fill up fast, so it’s wise to reserve a few weeks in advance.

Where to Eat

Arusha’s dining scene offers a mix of Tanzanian and international flavors. You’ll find street-side grills serving nyama choma (grilled meats) and mishkaki (spicy kebabs), as well as vendors selling chapati, beans and rice. Don’t miss a bowl of local “Urojo” soup (a hearty Tangawizi soup) or fresh fruit smoothies from market stalls. For a sit-down meal, many cafes and restaurants in town serve Indian curries, stir-fry, pizzas and even European dishes. Popular local spots include cafés on Swahili Road and Indian restaurants along Njiro Road.

Meal prices are affordable – you can get a filling plate of food for about \$3–\$10 in most local restaurants. Western-style eateries and hotel restaurants naturally cost a bit more, but there’s still great value: for example, a full buffet dinner might run \$15–\$20 at a mid-range hotel. After a day of adventure, pair your meal with Tanzania’s famous coffee (Arusha-grown Arabica is top-notch) or a cold Kilimanjaro beer.

How to get around

Getting around Arusha is straightforward.

Motorcycle taxis (“boda bodas”) wait at a street corner in Arusha.
The easiest way to zip through town is by tuk-tuk or motorcycle taxi (locally called boda-boda) – they are plentiful and inexpensive.
For more comfort, flag down a metered taxi (white cars with black stripes); negotiate the fare or ask the driver to turn on the meter.
The cheapest local option is the daladala (minibus) commuter buses, which run set routes across the city. Each dala-dala has colored stripes indicating its route, and fares are fixed (around 500–700 TZS per ride). When boarding a dala-dala, just hop on and pay the conductor when you get off.
For longer trips outside Arusha, many tourists rent a car or join a tour vehicle. Several car rental companies operate here, and guide services can drive you to nearby attractions. Driving yourself is possible, but the roads and traffic can be busy.

One practical tip: Arusha is very walkable by day in certain areas, so if you’re staying downtown you might explore neighborhoods on foot. However, it’s generally best to avoid walking alone after dark and stick to taxi or car travel at night.

Getting there

Arusha is well-connected by air and road.

By air,

The nearest international gateway is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), about 45 minutes east on the Moshi road. KLM, Ethiopian, Qatar, Turkish, Kenya Airways and other airlines fly here from Europe, the Middle East and within Africa. From KIA it’s a quick shuttle or taxi ride to Arusha.
Arusha also has its own smaller airport (Arusha Airport – ARK) near the city outskirts. Regional carriers like Auric Air and SafariLink use ARK to run charter and scheduled flights to Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, and to small airstrips near the northern parks.
Charter aircraft at Arusha Airport. If you’re on an Arusha safari tour, you may well fly a single-engine plane from here to the Serengeti or Ngorongoro. Many tour companies can arrange these flights.

By road,

Arusha lies on the main tarmac highway from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi. Long-distance buses and shuttles make daily runs from Dar, Morogoro, and Tanzania’s coast, as well as from Nairobi and Arusha’s local region. Public “intercity” buses also link Arusha with the coastal town of Tanga and other Tanzanian cities. Roads to all the northern parks are well-paved, so private cars, 4x4s and tour vans travel regularly from Arusha to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire. (Note: There is no direct passenger train to Arusha, so flying or driving are the main options.).

NOTE:- Arusha is more than a stopover – it’s a welcoming city rich with culture, comfort, and adventure. Whether you're heading out on a big safari or simply exploring its vibrant streets, Arusha will leave a lasting impression.