Arusha Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Arusha is best known as Tanzania’s safari capital, but the city and its surroundings are worth exploring too.

• Arusha National Park — See giraffes, colobus monkeys and flamingos on the Momella Lakes, with Mount Meru as a backdrop.
• Mount Meru — Climb Tanzania’s second-highest mountain on a multi-day guided trek.
• Serengeti and Ngorongoro — Set out on classic safaris to the plains and the vast volcanic crater.
• Tarangire and Lake Manyara — Visit parks known for large elephant herds and scenic lakeshore forest, within easier reach of town.
• Maasai Market — Browse beadwork, carvings and textiles, and practise friendly bargaining.
• Coffee farm tours — Learn how coffee is grown and roasted on the slopes around the city.
• Arusha Declaration Museum — Discover Tanzania’s post-independence history in the city centre.

Thanks to its altitude, Arusha is milder than the coast, with warm days and cool evenings. The long dry season, from June to October, is the most popular time for safaris, as vegetation thins and animals gather near water. January and February, a drier spell between the rains, are also good and coincide with calving season in the southern Serengeti.

The long rains usually fall from March to May, when some roads become muddy but landscapes are green and lodges quieter. Short rains can occur in November and December.

Arusha Airport lies a short drive west of the city centre and mainly handles domestic and light-aircraft flights, including many safari connections. Taxis and pre-arranged transfers from lodges or tour operators are the usual ways into town.

Many international travellers arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), located between Arusha and Moshi, about an hour or more by road from Arusha. Shuttle buses, taxis and hotel or safari-company transfers connect the two; booking ahead is recommended.

Accommodation ranges from city hotels to garden lodges and coffee-estate retreats on the outskirts.

• City centre — Suits short stays with easy access to markets, banks and restaurants.
• Njiro — A quieter residential area popular with longer-stay visitors.
• Usa River road — Good for lodges surrounded by gardens and farms, closer to Arusha National Park and Kilimanjaro airport.
• Slopes of Mount Meru — Ideal for peaceful stays among coffee plantations and forest.

• Money: Carry some Tanzanian shillings for small purchases; cards are accepted at larger hotels, and many safari services quote in US dollars.
• Getting around: Use registered taxis or transport arranged by your hotel, especially after dark.
• Etiquette: Greet people before asking questions and ask permission before photographing individuals, particularly Maasai.
• Health: Seek medical advice on vaccinations and malaria prevention before travelling, and drink bottled or treated water.
• Language: A few Swahili words, such as “jambo” and “asante”, are warmly appreciated.