Arusha is a city of approximately 400,000 people in Northeast Tanzania, East Africa. It's regarded as the gateway to the popular Northern Safari Circuit.
Get in
Arusha is served by two airports. Kilimanjaro International Airport (IATA: JRO) has regular flights to Amsterdam with KLM, and to Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Nairobi. Kilimanjaro Airport is approximately 60km (45min) from the city centre. A taxi ride costs USD50 but many airlines run a shuttle service for free or USD10.
Arusha Municipal Airport (ARK) is on the outskirts of the city but only runs domestic flights, mostly to Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, and charters. air viva offers regular flights between Arusha and Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro.
Visas-on-arrival are available at Kilimanjaro International Airport for USD50, or USD100 for some nationalities.
Arusha can be reached by express coach from Nairobi (Kenya, 6h, daily 08.00 and 14.00 from in front of Parkside Hotel, USD35), Dar es Salaam (12h), and Kampala (Uganda, 17h) with direct services also available from Mwanza, Tanga, and Lushoto. Some companies offer first-class tickets which are slightly more comfortable although it is worth noting that standards are generally comparable with most African bus services. Moshi can be reached in about one hour. There are various shuttle buses between Arusha and Moshi which are more comfortable than coaches. Some of these shuttles can be booked in advance by going to BusAfrica.net
Get around
The main mode of public transport is daladala, the ubiquitous minibuses which ply their trade on all the main routes in town. They are very cheap, TZS400 (USD0.25) is the fixed price for any trip around town, (beware of those who quote more to foreigners). Daladala is very cramped and safety is a serious consideration. Accidents involving daladalas are frequent and usually with serious consequences for the passengers. Pickpocketing has occurred on locals and visitors in close quarters and can happen quickly; store valuables in bags on your lap.
Taxis are plentiful and cheap; make sure to agree on a price before leaving for your destination (expect to pay no more than TZS5,000 for a trip within the city centre, or TZS8,000 for the outskirts, at any time of the day).
Car hire is possible; most companies prefer to provide their own drivers.
See and Do
Elephants as seen from a safari truck
Climb Mount Meru (4,667m). It can be done in 2-4 days, depending on your physical condition. You are not required to take guides and porters up Mount Meru, but you must be escorted by armed rangers. Temperatures can be freezing, so prepare warm clothing and sleeping bags. Comfortable and enjoyable climbing of Mount Meru would need a professional mountain guide in addition to armed rangers. The role of mountain climbing guide is to provide information about Mount Meru like weather, wild animals available, birds and to support when summiting at Mount Meru. The guide will also guide on acclimatization, altitude sickness and make sure food is prepared. Porters will also be helpful to carry food and support materials.
Most mountain guides and porters are employed by local tour operators, so your best bet is to search out a reputable tour operator and be put in touch with a suitable guide that way.
Other sight seeing places and things to do include are wildlife safari tours to Arusha National park located at slopes of Mount meru. Camel safaris is done at slopes of Mount Meru at Maasai village. Camel safaris offer great opportunity for wildlife safaris, masai culture tour and adventures. At the slope of Mount meru, Kilimanjaro is visible in clear days without clouds
Tanzania Tourist Board can arrange cultural excursions to nearby villages for TZS15,000-50,000. These cultural tourism visits can be some of the most rewarding parts of a trip to East Africa, and the human (cultural) element involved complements an animal-centric safari to the game parks. Some cultural tourism programs (Ilkiding'a, Ng'iresi) are within an hour's hike of Arusha. Several others are within an hour's drive (Monduli Juu, Longido, Mulala, Tengeru, Ilkurot, Oldonyo Sambu). They are great opportunities to learn about the Maasai and Meru tribes who live nearby, pastoralism, agriculture, stories & legends, local economies. There are several good hikes around Mt. Meru, including some beautiful waterfalls. Longido has camel safaris. They are flexible in nature, meaning you can arrange an hour-long visit or a day-long one. Some sites have lodging or camping.
Keep in mind your guide may ask for donations to a charity, school or orphanage. Some dishonest guides might pocket the money, so it is advisable to give money directly to a reputable charity. The guide will give you that information.
Century Cinema has movies for TZS5,000-7,000 (USD3-5). It is part of a modern complex on Njiro Rd, which also houses modern and upmarket restaurants including popular Indian restaurant "Khan's", steak outlet "McMoody's" and serving Ethiopian, Tanzanian, European and other cuisines is a restaurant "Spice Retreat". Njiro Rd is not safe to walk on at night, so get to the complex by another form of transport rather than by foot. A taxi to/from the town centre shouldn't cost more than TZS4,000 (USD3).
Coffee walk, Nkoaranga village (30 minutes drive from Arusha town towards Moshi), +255 784 420 342/+255 784 416 317 (info@wild-tracks.com). Private tours scheduled on demand. Coffee walk arranged by local coffee company on the slopes of Mt. Meru. A guide will take you to a small family farm and a coffee roastery to show you the journey of the coffee bean. $15-45pp (depending on group size).
Safari
Definitely something to try, if you can afford it. There are many types of trips for many budgets; usually the pricier ones get you out farther into the Serengeti and the Ngorogongoro Crater, to places that are a little less touched by man. The less expensive excursions to reserves and parks are specialized, of a shorter duration, and worthwhile. If there's one trip that will change your perspective on life, it's an African safari.
Not all tour guides are knowledgeable on all topics. A field guide to your favourite pursuit, such as birding, which is popular with visitors, is a worthwhile idea.
Beware of paying more than market prices, you will still be offered the same accommodation as the person who is paying the regular price.
