Choosing the best things to do in Arusha can be a little tricky. With so many tourist attractions, both natural and cultural in and around the city, you need to carefully consider the options based on your interests.
In this article, we describe the top 10 things to do in Arusha. The focus is on the tried and tested activities that have always been top priorities for most visitors.
If you're looking to visit Arusha in the future, this guide could be exactly what you need to ensure your trip meets your expectations.
Known to many as the Geneva of Africa, most Tanzanians like to refer to it as a tourist town. Its welcoming weather and beautiful scenery were enough for former US President Bill Clinton to christen Arusha the Geneva of Africa.
Most safaris start in Arusha. As a country, Tanzania is blessed with top attractions in almost every corner. Of all the corners of the country, the northern zone is the most spoilt for attractions, and Arusha, in particular, is the starting point for almost all safari excursions in northern Tanzania.
The culture of Arusha
Arusha's culture is unique. The young people of the town like to call Arusha USA. The uniqueness of this beautiful town is not only in its magnificent landscape, but the Arushans themselves are simply unique and joyful to watch as well as to listen to.
In general, Arusha's culture is so diverse.
Apart from Arusha tribes such as Meru, Maasai, Chagga, Pare and others, Arabs, Indians and Europeans also live in Arusha enjoying the fantastic weather that Bill Clinton once mistook for Geneva.
Weather in Arusha
This is what makes most visitors fall in love with the town. The air is fresh and dry almost all year round. This is one of the few regions on the planet where the cold is moderate while the hot weather does not reign very aggressively.
With temperatures generally varying between 5 and 30 degrees, in most cases an annual temperature of 25 degrees is recorded, Arusha has the most rewarding climate in Tanzania.
Getting to Arusha
Arusha is accessible by plane and bus depending on where you are coming from. If you're travelling from one place to another, a flight to Dar-es-Salaam and then a 10-hour drive to Arusha should give you a taste of Tanzania.
Alternatively, a flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport, which is only a short drive from Arusha, will save you time exploring the best things to do in Arusha.
Before you forget, there are visitors who prefer to fly into Nairobi, Kenya, which neighbours Tanzania, Arusha in particular, and Arusha Airport to start their Tanzania safari straight away.
1: A day trip to Arusha National Park
This is one of the smallest parks in Tanzania, but it is packed with tourist attractions.
It only takes about 1.5 hours to drive from the town of Arusha to Arusha National Park. And you'll be right up on Mount Meru, Tanzania's second highest mountain after Kilimanjaro.
Get a good view of buffalo, warthogs, elephants, birds and some varieties of monkeys in the Ngurdoto Crater, commonly known as the mini Ngorongoro, on your day trip to Arusha National Park. There are also 7 alkaline lakes where the magnificent sight of flamingos is just better than anywhere else. These lakes are called Momella Lakes.
A 4-day climb to Mount Meru may be one of the best decisions you can make on your Arusha safari. But still, a partial day hike to this beautiful mountain will give you spectacular views of the waterfall and Ngurdoto Crater.
2: A day trip to Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is wonderland if you will.
Have you ever imagined a 57-year-old elephant giving birth? Usually, an elephant will continue to mate until it's around 50, but in Tarangire things are different. A 57-year-old elephant didn't just give birth, she actually gave birth to twin calves in 2017. That makes this Tarangire mama elephant the most famous elephant ever to have given birth to twin calves.
A 3-hour drive from the city of Arusha, a visit to Tarangire National Park in neighbouring Arusha is an experience you will treasure forever. With guided walking safaris, game drives and cultural tours near the park, Tarangire should simply be in your top things to do in Arusha.
Within the park, you'll find 500 species of birds, not to mention stunning views of Tarangire's baobab trees.
3: Day trip to Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is actually magnificent when it comes to flora. With over 600 flowering plants in the park, make sure you take a good camera as you won't be able to miss photos of this heavenly paradise. However, it's not just the flowers that attract the most attention in Lake Manyara National Park, but the flocks of flamingos around Lake Manyara. Flamingos are the dominant birds in the lake. They share the lake with other birds such as kingfishers and herons, to name but a few.
More than 400 species of birds have been recorded in Manyara. Visiting Manyara will surely give you a range of things to do in Arusha simply by going on day safaris, night safaris, canoeing, mountain biking tours as well as cultural tours.
Manyara is home to climbing lions along with large numbers of elephant, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, warthog and waterbuck. Lake Manyara National Park will give you a unique opportunity to see the climbing lions which are commonly referred to by Tanzanians as "Simba Mbarara" for small Lions.
4: A day trip to Kilimanjaro National Park
Standing at 5,895 metres above sea level. It is the highest peak in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. In fact, it is said to be independent because it is not part of a mountain range like Everest. Instead, Kilimanjaro stands majestically alone.
It is the highest volcano outside America. It is also a dormant volcanic mountain with three cones of Kibo (the highest peak), Mawenzi and Shira. The stunning scenery of Mount Kilimanjaro will undoubtedly give you outstanding options when it comes to the best things to do in Arusha.
A partial hike to this mountain will give you the opportunity to enjoy some beautiful vegetation where you'll get a great view of the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo while getting up close and personal with black and white colobus monkeys. There is also a small crater known as Maundi. A short walk to this crater won't be a bad idea either.
Day trip to the Shira Plateau
A day trip to the Shira Plateau allows you to see the real remains of molten lava and the deep caldera that expired around half a million years ago. An adventure walk on this land that is a World Heritage Site will give you all kinds of magnificent views of the magnificent rocks and valleys while featuring the twin peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro.
5: Cultural tourism and city walks
If you want to experience Tanzania at a local level, you should try cultural tourism. This is how you can discover Tanzania's local foods. Local public transport is mainly called "vipanya" or "dalla dalla". Or you can explore other options like motorbikes which are mainly considered as "bodaboda".
If you like some safari options, the cultural programmes might just save the day as they are simply some of the best things to do in Arusha.
As well as visiting families in Masai bomas for example, a visit to the two museums of; Arusha Natural History Museum and Arusha Declaration Museum will bring you closer to the city and its history and culture.
6: Chemka Hot Springs
Do you like swimming in hot water? Probably! The Chemka hot springs offer you exactly that opportunity. Coming from beneath Mount Kilimanjaro, the springs are naturally hot and in some places form a beautiful pond of up to 10 metres.
The special thing about the Chemka hot springs pond is that even at the point where the pond reaches 10 metres, you can clearly see its bottom with a clear unobstructed view. Many tourists like to choose this beautiful pond as their top things to do in Arusha simply because it is so unique.
7: Meserani Snake Park
Located just 25km west of Arusha, Meserani offers the best things to do in Arusha for those who love snakes and only have a few hours to spare at the same time. The park has one of the best snake-based guides in Africa and they will guide you to learn a thing or two about some of the world's deadly snakes such as the black and green mamba, Egyptian cobra and others. Crocodiles are also available so you get the closest view you need. You can even touch the baby crocodile if you like.
8: Themi Leisure Park
If there's one best place to visit in Arusha with your family, Themi should be one of them. Themi Amusement Park has one of the best things to see in Arusha. See the waterfalls. Go hiking in the mountains. Party and picnic. Take a nature walk and watch the birds. And don't forget the hike to visit the site.
