Arusha, Tanzania is a city of over 400,000 people located in the north of the country, where the introduction to the African beauties often begins. Arusha is in the center of the northern Tanzanian attractions, among which are Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Manyara.
It’s good to know! The city of Arusha, named after the Maasai tribe, was founded in the early 20th century. It was originally an administrative unit of the German colony. All that remains of the colonial past is the wall of the former fort in the south of the city.
In addition to its role as a tourist mecca, Arusha is also a political and economic hub in Africa. Bill Clinton famously referred to Arusha as the “Geneva of Africa,” highlighting its significance in global affairs. The city is home to numerous conferences, negotiations, and important international decisions. It was here that the first President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, presented the “Arusha Declaration,” and in 1999, the Treaty establishing the East African Community was signed. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda was located in Arusha, and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is still active there.
It’s interesting to know! Arusha is known for its exotic plantations, coffee processing, jute, and coconut fiber production.
The city of Arusha in Tanzania was chosen by the Catholic and Protestant episcopates to host their respective denominations. In this multicultural city, followers of these religions, as well as Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and others, peacefully coexist. Americans, Europeans, Indians, and Arabs are drawn to Arusha, but the majority of its residents are still indigenous Africans.
Attractions
In the lively, rapidly developing city, the past and the present have come together – natives in bright national clothes and tourists, women with unbearable baskets on their heads and fashionable cars, stevedores and artisans have blended into a colorful, chattering crowd. Bazaars, souvenir shops and stores are calling customers, restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs and casinos are opening their doors in anticipation of visitors – in Arusha and around the city, there is entertainment for everyone and attractions for all.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru is one of the main attractions in Tanzania and the “mother” of Arusha, as it was at its foot that the settlement was founded, which later grew into a city. Today, this massive mountain (over 4,000 meters high) can be seen from any part of Arusha, and its gentle nature is a symbol of the city’s natural protection. It will be conquered by anyone in just 3-4 days (depending on the health and physical condition of the tourists) – this mountain can become an independent goal or preparation for climbing Kilimanjaro.
For your information! Meru is a stratovolcano. Its last major eruption was recorded in the late 19th century.
Meru promises an interesting climb due to its terrain, stunning views from the summit, and hiking safaris. The mountain is surrounded by the Arusha National Park, which is home to giraffes and zebras, elephants and antelopes, buffaloes, and warthogs. Organized groups of travelers are always accompanied by professional guides and rangers with rifles, ensuring that the adventures offered by Meru are completely safe.
It’s good to know! Mount Meru is 50 kilometers from Kilimanjaro Airport, almost 400 kilometers from the capital of Tanzania, and almost 300 kilometers from the Indian Ocean.
Arusha National Park
Another attraction, Arusha National Park, is located thirty kilometers from the city. It covers just over 100 square kilometers, making it the smallest of Tanzania’s wildlife reserves, but it is no less fascinating. The park features craters and lakes, views of Mount Meru, leopards and hyenas, rare colobus monkeys, and over four hundred species of birds.
The national park has three areas with different types of vegetation: Mount Meru, Lake Momela (home to pink flamingos), and Ngurudoto Crater. Importantly, Arusha offers guided hiking tours with an armed ranger, as most African parks prohibit leaving vehicles in open areas. Walking along the established trail (from the bushy terrain through the cozy valley to the Ulylyusya Falls), visitors can feel safe, as there have been no reported attacks on humans in the park.
What to see in Zanzibar — a selection of attractions Related article:.Trips to neighboring villages
The Tanzania Tourism Board can arrange excursions to villages near Arusha. They will help you get to know the ethnic groups of the African country, learn about their way of life, history and traditions. This is an amazing opportunity to interact with the population of the villages of Ilkidinga and Ngiresi (an hour’s walk away), as well as Monduli Yuu and Oldogno Sambu, Tengeru and Longido, Ilkurot and Mulala (an hour’s drive from the city).
A cultural tour is a way to see with your own eyes how the locals practice pastoralism and agriculture, listen to amazing legends, and admire the sights along the way, including waterfalls. In Longido, you can go on a safari on docile camels, and in some villages, you can camp and stay for a few days.
Please note! If the guide accompanying the group during a cultural tour offers you to donate money to charity, ask him how to transfer it directly to a reputable charity institution. Not all guides are conscientious enough to send the money to its intended destination rather than to their own pocket.
National Parks Safari
A few kilometers from Arusha, you can explore the wild savannah. The main attractions in northern Tanzania are national parks, where safari is the main activity. If you’re willing to pay, you can visit Serengeti, Tarangire, Mserani Snake Park, Lake Manyara, and even take a tour from Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater. Hundreds of animal species live here: wildebeests stand mysteriously on the plains, buffaloes stroll slowly, zebras frolic, lions laze in the shade of the bushes, and early in the morning, cautious servals and caracals can be seen grazing.
Among the African safari tours, there are offers for different budgets: traditional, on camels and horses, canoes and mountain bikes, and hot air balloons. You can simply walk through the forest area or climb the hills, or you can have an adventure full of unpredictable dangers. You can find more information about safaris in Tanzania’s national parks here.
Where to stay
There are many hotels in Arusha. Most of them set their prices based on the current season, taking advantage of the influx of tourists. During the high season, which lasts from June to October or December, the cost of rooms increases significantly.
The estimated price for a three-star hotel room (for two people) is $50-70. In this category, there are seasonal offers that promise accommodation for $30-45. The most budget-friendly option for two people is hostels and homestays. These options cost only $10-15 per night.
Food
Arusha is not the gastronomic capital of Tanzania, but there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, taverns, and street food vendors. You can find:
- decent restaurants with traditional African dishes (Spices and Herbs Ethiopian Restaurant and lodge on Simeon Road),
- European (George’s Tavern at 50 Haile Selassie Rd),
- and even an Asian menu (Chinese Whispers restaurant on the 1st floor of the Njiro Complex, Njiro Road, Arusha, Tanzania).
The estimated cost of a lunch or dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant is $30.
Zanzibar Resorts – Where to Stay
Transport
You can explore the sights of Arusha, travel between the hotel and the restaurant, market or shops by taxi. This type of transport is quite accessible here. The main thing is to make an agreement with the driver in advance about the cost of the trip, since there are no usual meters in a taxi. You can catch a car right on the road, and there are a lot of them near each hotel. A trip around the city will cost $3-5.
The main mode of transport in Tanzania is the Dala-dala. Minibuses, which are trucks with awnings and benches, run along the main routes of Arusha, offering to take anyone for as little as $0.25. It will be cramped and dangerous, but you will get there in no time. Recommendation: keep an eye on your valuables.
Useful tips
- When you arrive in Arusha, follow these simple safety guidelines. Avoid walking at night, avoid using motorcycle taxis, and be aware that tourists in Africa are often targeted for their bags or backpacks. Avoid interacting with hustlers who may follow you and even grab your hands. If ignoring them doesn’t work, slow down, make eye contact, and firmly say, “Hapana asante” (Thank you, no). If possible, take local professional guides with you. As a last resort, download an offline map of Arusha to avoid getting lost.
- The police station in Arusha is located at the beginning of Mokongoro road, to the left of the clinic. There are several cafes in the city with inexpensive internet access ($1-2 per hour).
- Be sure to visit the markets and don’t hesitate to bargain with the sellers. Here you can buy everything from clothes to souvenirs from Tanzania for your family and friends. Pay attention to batik and silk, jewelry, paintings, handicrafts. You will have to pay for them in cash. It is better to allocate a whole day for shopping to explore all the offers and compare prices.
- There are very few ATMs in Arusha, so tourists usually gather around them. Cards are almost never accepted here, so you’ll need to carry cash even for safaris.
- During nature trips in Arusha, as well as throughout Tanzania, the annoying tsetse flies can cause a lot of trouble. They not only bite painfully, but also carry the sleeping sickness. Do not wear dark-colored clothes and be sure to stock up on a special spray.
