Gateway to the Northern Circuit
The natural start and end point for safaris to Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, with good roads and a domestic airport for fly-in safaris.
Tanzania Cities & Coast
Arusha
Green, busy and framed by the cone of Mount Meru, Arusha is where almost every northern Tanzania safari begins. It is also our home, and we love showing visitors its markets, coffee farms and stories.
- Location
- Northern Tanzania, below Mount Meru
- Known For
- Safari capital of Tanzania
- Altitude
- About 1,400 m
- Nearest Airport
- Kilimanjaro International (KIA)
Discover Arusha
Where the safari begins.
Arusha sits on the southern slopes of Mount Meru at around 1,400 metres, which gives it a pleasantly mild climate, fertile soils and lush gardens. It is the safari capital of Tanzania: the starting point for journeys to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, and a short drive from Kilimanjaro and Arusha National Park.
The city is also a significant regional centre. It hosts the headquarters of the East African Community and the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, and was home to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. In 1967 it gave its name to the Arusha Declaration, the founding statement of Tanzania's policy of Ujamaa and self-reliance.
Arusha is GIP Adventure's home base, and most of our guests spend at least a night here before or after their safari. Beyond the traffic and bustle of the centre you will find colourful markets, museums, craft centres, coffee farms and crater lakes, all within easy reach.
Why visit
More than a stopover.
Give Arusha a day and it rewards you with culture, history and easy nature escapes.
Markets and Crafts
Wander the central market and the craft and curio markets for spices, fabrics, carvings and Maasai beadwork.
Museums and History
Visit the Arusha Declaration Museum and the Natural History Museum in the old German boma to understand Tanzania's story.
Coffee Farms
Tour a coffee farm on the slopes of Mount Meru and follow the bean from cherry to cup.
Arusha National Park
Giraffes, buffaloes, colobus monkeys and flamingos within an hour of town, with walking and canoeing safaris.
Comfortable Base
A wide choice of hotels and lodges, from garden retreats to city hotels, to rest before or after your adventure.
Location
Where is Arusha?
Arusha lies in north-eastern Tanzania at the foot of Mount Meru. Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) is about 50 km east, around an hour's drive, and Moshi is about 80 km further east. Arusha Airport, on the western edge of the city, handles light-aircraft flights to the Serengeti, Zanzibar and other parks.
Nairobi is roughly 270 km to the north, a journey of around five to six hours by road via the Namanga border, and regular shuttle buses connect the two cities. Tarangire is about two hours' drive away, Lake Manyara around two hours and the Ngorongoro Crater about three to four hours.
When to visit
When to visit.
Arusha's highland climate is pleasant all year, and the seasons follow the rest of northern Tanzania.
Cool Dry Season
Sunny days and cool evenings, sometimes chilly; the busiest safari season, so book hotels early.
Short Rains
Short showers, green gardens and a festive atmosphere in town.
Warm & Dry
Warm, bright days and often clear views of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro.
Long Rains
The wettest months; museums, markets and cafes make good rainy-day options.
Month by month.
What Arusha is like through the year.
Warm and bright, with good chances of clear mountain views.
Hot, dry days and green coffee farms on the slopes of Meru.
The long rains begin, usually as afternoon and evening showers.
The wettest month, when the city is quiet and lush.
Rains ease and the countryside is fresh and green.
Cooler weather arrives and the safari season gets under way.
The coolest month, with crisp mornings and evenings; bring a warm layer.
Cool, dry and busy, as travellers start and finish their safaris.
Dry and pleasant, a good time for walking in the city and Arusha National Park.
Warm and dry, with dusty roads before the rains.
The short rains bring fresh green colour back to town.
Warm and festive, with markets busy before the holidays.
Explore the area
Exploring Arusha.
Highlights in and around the city.
City centreClock Tower and Central MarketThe landmark clock tower, often said to mark the halfway point between Cairo and Cape Town, and the bustling central market nearby.
KaloleniArusha Declaration MuseumThe building where the 1967 Arusha Declaration was drawn up, now a museum of Tanzania's political and economic history.
Old BomaNatural History MuseumHoused in the German colonial boma, with displays on human evolution, insects and wildlife.
Western ArushaCultural Heritage CentreA large gallery and craft centre with East African art, carvings, gemstones and tanzanite.
Mount Meru slopesCoffee Farms and VillagesFarm tours, village walks and waterfalls on the green foothills above the city.
East of the cityLake Duluti and Arusha National ParkA forest-fringed crater lake near Tengeru, and the park's Momella Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater and Mount Meru beyond.
Spotlight
A day in the safari capital.
Start with coffee on a farm on the slopes of Mount Meru, learning how beans are picked, roasted and brewed. In the afternoon, explore the city centre with a local guide: the clock tower, the colourful central market, the Arusha Declaration Museum and the craft markets, finishing at the Cultural Heritage Centre for East African art and tanzanite.
If you have a little longer, head out to Arusha National Park for a game drive, a walking safari or a canoe trip on the Momella Lakes, with Kilimanjaro on the horizon on a clear day.
Safaris to 中文
Tours that start in Arusha
Safaris, day trips and city tours based in and around Arusha.
Tanzania · 10 days
10-Day Exceptional Northern Tanzania Safari: A Luxury Tour by Air
Tarangire · Lake Manyara · Serengeti
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 4 days
4-Day Serengeti Luxury Fly-In Safari
Serengeti
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 5 days
5-Day Ultimate Fly-In/Out Safari from Arusha/Zanzibar
Serengeti · Ngorongoro
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 2 days
2-Day Ngorongoro Crater Luxury Safari Prodigy
Ngorongoro
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 5 days
5-Day Ultimate Luxury Fly-In & Out Prodigy
Serengeti · Ngorongoro
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 6 days
6-Day Buffalo Safari Experience
Tarangire · Ngorongoro
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 11 days
11-Day Enchanting Trip Experience
Tarangire · Ngorongoro · Serengeti · Lake Natron
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 15 days
15-Day The Best of the Northern Circuit Taste
Tarangire · Ngorongoro · Serengeti · Lake Natron
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 4 days
4-Day Northern Untrammelled Beauty
Ngorongoro
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Stay in 中文
Where to stay in Arusha
Garden lodges, coffee-farm retreats and city hotels in and around Arusha.
Silver tier
Arusha, TanzaniaShoki Shoki LodgeA cozy garden retreat at the foot of Mount Meru, the perfect place to rest before or after your safari.Mount Meru viewsView lodge
Gold tier
Arusha, TanzaniaArusha Planet LodgeAn eco-friendly retreat in lush tropical gardens on the quiet outskirts of Arusha, just minutes from the city centre.Eco-friendly lodgeView lodge
Platinum tier
Arusha, TanzaniaGran Meliá ArushaA five-star urban oasis set among coffee and tea plantations, with sweeping views of Mount Meru.5-star city hotelView lodge
GipsonTravel ExpertOnline
Starting your safari in Arusha?
Arusha is our home, and we know it well. Tell us your arrival plans and a Gip Adventure specialist will arrange your airport transfer, a comfortable first night and a city or coffee tour to start your journey.
Usually replies within minutesHeritage
History and heritage.
The lands around Arusha were home to the Arusha (Waarusha) and Meru peoples, farmers on the fertile slopes of Mount Meru, long before the town took shape. The German colonial administration built a fortified boma here around the beginning of the 20th century, and the town grew into a trading and farming centre, later expanding under British rule with coffee estates and markets.
After independence, Arusha became a symbol of national direction when President Julius Nyerere announced the Arusha Declaration in 1967, setting out Tanzania's path of Ujamaa and self-reliance. The city later hosted peace talks for the region and international institutions, earning it a reputation as a meeting place for East Africa.
Today Arusha is one of Tanzania's fastest-growing cities and the heart of its safari industry, while its markets, churches, mosques and neighbourhoods reflect the many communities who call it home.
How far is Arusha from Kilimanjaro International Airport?
About 50 km, or roughly one hour by road.
How many nights should I spend in Arusha?
One night before your safari is usual; two lets you rest after a long flight and enjoy a city or coffee tour.
Is Arusha safe for visitors?
Generally yes. Use normal city precautions, avoid walking alone at night and use transport arranged by your hotel or guide.
Can I see wildlife near Arusha?
Yes. Arusha National Park is under an hour away and offers game drives, walking safaris and canoeing.
What is the weather like?
Mild all year thanks to the altitude, with warm days and cool evenings, especially from June to August.
Can I travel between Arusha and Nairobi?
Yes, by road via Namanga in around five to six hours, or by short flight.
What can I buy in Arusha?
Maasai beadwork, carvings, fabrics, coffee, spices and tanzanite from reputable dealers.
Your safari starts here
Ready to start in Arusha?
Let Gip Adventure welcome you to our home city and launch your northern Tanzania safari in style.