Arusha, Tanzania: travel guide
Safari gateway beneath Mount Meru and the Northern Circuit parks
Safari capital of Tanzania at the foot of Mount Meru — springboard for the Northern Circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara).
About Arusha
Arusha is the safari hub of northern Tanzania, a busy highland town beneath the cone of Mount Meru. Few visitors stay long, but it is the springboard for the Northern Circuit of parks, and it has the shops, restaurants and lodges to prepare for them.
Arusha National Park, right beside the city, is a good first outing, with Mount Meru, forest walks, and lakes dotted with birdlife. Further afield, Tarangire National Park is known for its elephants and baobab trees, and Lake Manyara National Park lies beneath the Rift Valley escarpment. The Cultural Heritage Centre is a large gallery and craft complex, and the clock tower marks the town centre.
Arusha suits safari-goers and Kilimanjaro or Meru climbers. The dry seasons, June to October and January to February, are the usual times to visit.
- Country
- Tanzania
- Currency
- TZS
- Time zone
- Africa/Dar_es_Salaam
- Nearest airport
- ARK
Last updated
Top places to visit in Arusha
Cultural Heritage Centre
art_gallery · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Vast gallery and craft complex selling Tanzanite, Makonde carvings and pan-African art under a landmark spear-shaped roof.
Arusha Clock Tower
landmark · 4.2 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Landmark roundabout said to mark the midpoint between Cairo and Cape Town, the symbolic centre of safari town.
Arusha National Park
national_park · 4.5 rating · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate
Compact, scenic park with Ngurdoto Crater, the Momella Lakes flamingos, giraffe and Mount Meru forest walks.
Mount Meru
mountain · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Tanzania's second-highest peak (4,566 m), a striking dormant volcano and popular acclimatisation climb for Kilimanjaro.
Tarangire National Park
national_park · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
Baobab-dotted park with Tanzania's densest elephant herds and huge dry-season wildlife concentrations along the Tarangire River.
Lake Manyara National Park
national_park · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
Rift Valley park famed for tree-climbing lions, flamingos on the soda lake and a lush groundwater forest.
Meserani Snake Park
wildlife_park · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Popular roadside reptile park and Maasai cultural museum west of Arusha with snake and crocodile exhibits.
Things to do
- Tarangire National Park Day Safari Wildlife · 10 h · from USD 180 per person
- Lake Manyara National Park Day Safari Wildlife · 9 h · from USD 170 per person
- Arusha National Park Day Trip Wildlife · 8 h · from USD 150 per person
- Cultural Heritage Centre & Craft Tour Cultural · 2 h · from USD 20 per person
- Mount Meru 4-Day Trek Nature · 96 h · from USD 900 per person
Day trips and tours
- Tarangire National Park Day Safari 10 h · from USD 180
- Lake Manyara Day Safari 9 h · from USD 170
Where to stay in Arusha
- Arusha City Centre about TZS 120 per night
Convenient base near tour operators, banks and the clock tower for organising safaris.
- Usa River about TZS 160 per night
Leafy countryside retreats between Arusha and Kilimanjaro airport, close to Arusha National Park.
Hotels
- Arusha Coffee Lodge 5-star
- Mount Meru Hotel 4-star
- Kibo Palace Hotel 4-star
Where to eat
- Africafe Cafe, International · about TZS 20,000 per person
- Khan's BBQ Barbecue, Indian, Local · about TZS 15,000 per person
- Fifi's Restaurant International, Bakery · about TZS 22,000 per person
Getting to Arusha
Airport: Arusha (ARK), Arusha (Kilimanjaro International Airport) (JRO)
How visitors arrive in Arusha
- Fly into Kilimanjaro, then road transfer By air from Kilimanjaro (JRO) · common
Kilimanjaro International Airport is the main international gateway, about 60 km away; many airlines run shuttles into town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Coach from Nairobi By road from Nairobi · common
Direct coaches and shuttles cross the Namanga border from Nairobi. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Coach from Dar es Salaam By road from Dar es Salaam · common
Long-distance coaches run from Dar es Salaam; Arusha is a major bus hub for the country. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Overnight train via Moshi By train from Dar es Salaam · possible
A TRC overnight train runs from Dar es Salaam through Moshi. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Airline shuttles from Kilimanjaro airport unconfirmed
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is a long drive from Arusha. Many airlines run shuttle services into town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Taxi from Kilimanjaro airport
Taxis are the other option from JRO. They are unmetered, so agree the fare before you set off. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Arusha airport for domestic flights
Arusha Municipal Airport (ARK) on the outskirts of the city mainly handles domestic flights and charters. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Avoid motorcycle taxis, especially at night outside clubs. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Long-distance buses unconfirmed
Buses link Arusha to much of Tanzania; the guide recommends better companies such as Dar Express and booking long trips a day ahead. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Avoid motorcycle taxis, especially at night outside clubs. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Minibus main way to get around
Dala-dala minibuses are a common sight on the main routes in town and serve as everyday local public transport.
- Offroad Vehicle
- Ride Hail
- Tuktuk
- Walking
Paying
- Visa-on-arrival fees at the airport must be paid in US dollars; one-dollar bills and coins are refused. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Safety and scams to avoid
Flycatcher safari touts
Around the clock tower & bus stand
Street agents ("flycatchers") sell cut-price safaris on behalf of unregistered operators, then disappear with the deposit or deliver a poor-quality trip.
How to avoid it: Only book with a TATO-registered operator with a physical office; verify licences and never pay large cash deposits.
Best time to visit Arusha
- Jan 28°C
- Feb 28°C
- Mar 27°C
- Apr 25°C
- May 22°C
- Jun 21°C
- Jul 20°C
- Aug 22°C
- Sep 24°C
- Oct 26°C
- Nov 27°C
- Dec 27°C
More in Tanzania
Frequently asked questions about Arusha
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Arusha?
- The highest-rated places in our Arusha guide are Cultural Heritage Centre, Arusha National Park, Arusha Clock Tower.
- Where should I stay in Arusha?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Arusha: Arusha City Centre, Usa River.
- How do I get around Arusha?
- Ways to get around Arusha covered in our guide: Minibus, Off-road vehicle, Ride-hailing app, Tuk-tuk.
- What scams should I watch out for in Arusha?
- Scams reported to us for Arusha include Flycatcher safari touts. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Arusha?
- Average daytime highs in Arusha run from 20°C in Jul to 28°C in Jan.
- Which airport is nearest to Arusha?
- The nearest airport to Arusha has the code ARK.