Arusha
Save22 hand-picked places in 8 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
Only have a day? See a ready-made day plan ↓9 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
Compact park with giraffes, colobus monkeys and views of Meru and Kilimanjaro.
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Easy half-day trip from town
- Walking safaris are offered with a ranger
📷 Photos
- 2
Tanzania's second-highest peak, a classic 3-4 day trek above Arusha.
3 tips
- Hike with a licensed guide and ranger
- Good acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro
- Dry seasons are Jun-Oct and Dec-Feb
📷 Photos
- 3
Landmark said to mark the midpoint between Cape Town and Cairo.
3 tips
- Good meeting point
- Busy at midday
- Keep valuables out of sight
📷 Photos
- 4
Colonial-era German fort housing exhibits on human origins and wildlife.
3 tips
- Allow about an hour
- Small entrance fee
- Includes fossils from Olduvai
📷 Photos
- 5
Busy market for spices, produce, textiles and everyday city life.
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Bargain politely
- Carry small bills
📷 Photos
- 6
UNESCO caldera teeming with wildlife, a top day-trip from Arusha.
- Tip: Go early
- Tip: Book ahead
1 tip
- Cool at the rim, bring layers
📷 Photos
- 7
Park famous for elephant herds and ancient baobab trees.
3 tips
- Best Jun-Oct dry season
- Full-day trip is feasible
- Bring binoculars
📷 Photos
- 8
Park below the Rift escarpment with flamingos and tree-climbing lions.
3 tips
- Good with a Ngorongoro trip
- Birdlife is excellent
- Bring sun protection
📷 Photos
- 9
Crater lake with forest trails and canoeing just outside the city.
3 tips
- Rent a canoe
- Good for birdwatching
- Short drive from centre
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Arusha tips
Transportation
- Book safari transfers: Most safaris to Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti include pickup from your Arusha hotel.
- Use Bolt or taxis: Bolt works in Arusha; otherwise use taxis recommended by your hotel and agree the fare upfront.
- Try dala dalas carefully: Minibus dala dalas are cheap but crowded; keep valuables secure and ask locals for the right route.
Security
- Avoid street touts: Flycatchers selling safaris on the street can be unreliable; book with licensed, well-reviewed operators.
- Do not walk at night: Take a taxi after dark rather than walking, even short distances in the centre.
- Protect against malaria: Arusha and the parks have malaria risk; use repellent, sleep under nets and talk to a doctor about prophylaxis.
Saving
- Join a group safari: Shared safaris split vehicle and guide costs and are much cheaper than private tours.
- Eat local food: Try nyama choma, chips mayai and pilau at local eateries for far less than tourist restaurants.
- Go in green season: April and May are rainy and quieter, with lower lodge rates and fewer crowds in the parks.
Weather/Clothing
- Pack layers for altitude: Arusha sits at the foot of Mount Meru, so mornings and evenings are cool; bring a fleece.
- Know the rainy seasons: Long rains fall around March to May and short rains around November; pack a rain jacket.
- Wear neutral safari colours: Khaki and earth tones are best on safari; avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies.
Cultural
- Greet with Jambo or Mambo: A friendly Swahili greeting is appreciated; shaking hands and asking how someone is matters here.
- Dress modestly in town: Cover shoulders and knees in town and villages, even though safari wear is casual.
- Ask before photographing Maasai: Many Maasai expect to be asked first, and some may request a small payment.
Local Hacks
- Visit the Maasai Market: The Maasai Market and Curio Centre is full of crafts; bargaining is expected, so start low and stay friendly.
- Carry small shillings: Keep small Tanzanian shilling notes for tips, snacks and markets, as change can be scarce.
- Spot Kilimanjaro early: On clear mornings you may glimpse Kilimanjaro on the drive towards Moshi before clouds roll in.
1-day itineraries in Arusha
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.