Arusha City
Arusha city, also known as A-Town, is located in the northern highlands of Tanzania, beneath the two peaks of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. Arusha is the safari capital of the country.
Guests embarking on the popular northern safari circuit all stop in the ‘Geneva of Africa’ to prepare for their journeys into the African bush.
From two-lane streets, the dramatic crater of Mt. Meru stands over the town like a majestic sentinel, its crater strewn with thick clouds, its slopes dark with verdant forest.
Arusha’s ideal location near major national parks and its highland setting make it a peaceful haven for relaxation before the start of an exciting journey.
Built by the Germans as a center of colonial administration in the early 20th century, Arusha was a sleepy town with a garrison stationed at the old boma and a few shops around a grassy roundabout.
From its backwater status amid the farmlands and plantations of northern Tanzania, Arusha is now one of the country’s most prosperous towns.
Arusha is a central hub for international diplomacy. The city hosts and is regarded as the de facto capital of the East African Community.
Since 1994, the city has also hosted the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
It is a multicultural city with a majority Tanzanian population of mixed backgrounds: indigenous Bantu, Arab-Tanzanian, and Indian-Tanzanian, plus a small White European and white American minority.
The religious composition of the Arusha population is Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu.
The current site of Arusha was first settled in the 1830s by the agro-pastoral Arusha Maasai from the Arusha Chini community, south of Mount Kilimanjaro.
They traded grains, honey, beer, and tobacco with the pastoral Kisongo Maasai in exchange for livestock, milk, meat, and skins.
Demand for Arusha’s foodstuffs increased substantially during the 1860s when the Pangani Valley trade route was extended through Old Moshi, Arusha, and ultimately to western Kenya. Although it was not yet a town, it served as a regional center and had several urban features.
Despite its proximity to the equator, Arusha’s elevation of 1,400 meters (4,600 ft) on the southern slopes of Mount Meru keeps temperatures relatively low and alleviates humidity.
Cool, dry air is prevalent for much of the year. The temperature ranges from 13 to 30 degrees Celsius, with an average of 25 degrees.
It has distinct wet and dry seasons and experiences an eastward prevailing wind from the Indian Ocean, about 200 miles east.
Why You Should Visit Arusha?
Unshakable culture
Arusha comprises over 100 nationalities, making it culturally diverse. You can also participate in a cultural tourism program that organizes trips to nearby villages.
Fantastic architecture and historical monuments
Learn about Tanzania’s cultural, social, and political history at the Arusha Declaration Museum.
Visit the Natural History Museum off Boma Road to learn all about human evolution.
Breathtaking landscape
Mount Meru provides a beautiful backdrop to Arusha. Marvel at the waterfalls of Arusha National Park or enjoy a camel safari on the lower slopes.
An exciting food scene
Dine on Nyama Choma (roast meat), and enjoy some biryani, pilau, or chapati.
Look for delicious roadside snacks on the streets of Arusha or visit the Arusha Farmers Market for a wide selection of Tanzanian delicacies.
Quiet scenery
Take a stroll in the gardens and sample some organic food at the eco-restaurant.
Stop for some cocktails as you watch the sunset, listen to the birds, and relax on the comfy day beds across many accommodations in Arusha.
Things to do in Arusha
Cultural Tourism
These are the unique experiences available in Arusha. As the heart of Tanzania’s safari scene, Arusha remains an iconic destination.
The beauty of nature and lifestyle entertain every traveler who dares to visit.
Many tourism activities are rooted in the city’s culture, and numerous cultural program centers have been established to entertain and educate travelers visiting Tanzania.
These programs become the backbone of these communities. Through sustainable tourism, the lives of these people have been transformed.
Once you’re in Arusha, don’t forget to visit the cultural centers. Support the economies of these communities by purchasing handmade products, such as beads, art, and unique clothing designs, offered by women’s groups or youth groups.
Visiting Arusha exposes you to different cultural centers, we hope you will enjoy reading and learning and if you wish to get more information, do not hesitate to talk with our team. We offer the following-day tour programs.
- Ilkidinga Cultural Tourism
- Ilkurot Cultural Tourism
- Tengeru Cultural Tourism
- Lake Chala
- Chemka Hot spring
- Materuni waterfalls
Mountain Climbing
Arusha is the gateway to all three volcanic mountains, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, and Mount Oldonyo Lengai.
In addition to these great mountains, Arusha is surrounded by many hills, which make the region more attractive.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. Mount Meru is the second-tallest mountain in Tanzania and the fifth-tallest in Africa.
The Oldoinyo Lengai is the best mountain to climb. It is the only active volcanic mountain in Tanzania.
Many people living in Arusha, especially youth are mountaineers, it is easy to plan your climb while in Arusha, there are many tour operators that offer mountain climbing activities and if unfortunately, you didn’t bring your own gear, it is easy to get them for rental.
You can choose from 3 3-day Meru treks, 5 5-day Marangu routes, 5 5-day Oldonyo Lengai hikes, 7 7-day Machame routes, or 8 8-day Lemosho route climbs.
Waterfalls Hiking
The weather in Arusha is perfect for hiking. One of the best short tours you must not miss in Arusha is a waterfall hike (a day trip).
The waterfalls lie just inside the Mount Meru forest reserve in the Northeast of Arusha town, just 3 hours’ walking, or 45 minutes’ drive from Arusha town.
One must get an entry permit before descending the waterfalls. There are no dangerous animals, but the park rangers protect the forest.
We arrange biking and cycling tours from Arusha to waterfalls, where you can enjoy the surrounding nature and the Masai villages and their culture.
Biking tour
The weather in Arusha is conducive to biking; you can enjoy riding around the Masai villages on rough, less-crowded roads.
Biking is not only a leisure activity but also a great form of exercise that helps keep your body fit, fight diseases such as heart attack, diabetes, and respiratory diseases, and reduce stress and anxiety, while also improving your immunity.
Beyond health benefits, biking tours are among the best practices for responsible tourism, with minimal environmental impact.
Riding to the top of Africa is the dream of every biker visiting Tanzania.
Through tour operators, you can arrange Mount Kilimanjaro bike trekking through the Kilema route or the Londros gate. The trip takes up to five (5) days with proper acclimatization.
Some professional bikers travel with their bikes, while others prefer to rent while in Tanzania.
It is a unique experience, driven by a passion to conquer Africa’s Mighty Mountain! Mount Kilimanjaro.
Wildlife Safaris
Arusha is the gateway to premium safari destinations. It is the starting point for most of the well-known safari destinations in Africa.
You can visit either Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, or Arusha National Park.
Many tour operators in Arusha offer wildlife safaris, and most provide good service at prices suited to your budget.
Service quality varies based on what you’re willing to pay.
Remember that many of these multiple safari options are available in the same areas and parks, and the only difference is the accommodation offered, not the wildlife or scenery you will see.
Tanzania Safaris is unique, whether you book a budget camping safari, luxury camping, or lodging safari.
Tanzanite Mining Experience
Tanzanite is mined only in Arusha (Mirerani), Tanzania, and is not available elsewhere.
When you visit Arusha, make sure you reach the Tanzanite gallery in Mirerani, where you can see cutting and various gemstones on display.
The tour will proceed to the mining area on the hills, where you will learn how mining is conducted.
Here, one will identify other gemstones found near these blue rocks, such as Green garnet, moonstone, and red garnet.
Your walk inside the tunnels to the blue rock surface is a lifetime adventure where you will learn how Tanzanite is explored from such hard rocks and then collected, ready to be sold at the local market or processed for export.
From the mining area to the local Tanzanite market, one will be amazed by the beautiful view of Mount Meru and the roof of Africa, Kilimanjaro.
Maasai Market and Shopping
While in Arusha, you can visit one of the famous Maasai markets known as Ngaramtoni.
This is a weekly market on Thursday and Sunday where Masai from different parts of Arusha gather to buy and sell cattle, sheep, and goats.
In addition to the cattle auction, the Maasai sell local medicines (herbs), clothing, shoes, and souvenirs.
Today, the market is growing larger and more popular, so new businesses are being launched daily.
This place is also a popular spot for grilled meat, known as “nyama choma.” The market is easily accessible, and you can use private or public transport. Small buses run daily from the town to the market.
