Arusha is the safari capital of Tanzania, a busy, green town at the foot of Mount Meru. Almost every northern circuit begins here, and most travellers stay a night or two before heading out to Tarangire, Ngorongoro or the Serengeti.
It rewards a short stay: coffee farms and waterfalls on the slopes of Mount Meru, the Cultural Heritage Centre, the Maasai Market, and a growing number of good restaurants and galleries. Arusha National Park is only 45 minutes away, and the views of Mount Meru and, on clear days, Kilimanjaro, are impressive.
Arusha is a town rather than a wildlife destination, though Arusha National Park lies close by, with colobus monkeys, giraffe and flamingos. Many lodges in the foothills have gardens full of birds and monkeys.
Activities here
Arusha is mild and pleasant thanks to its altitude, with daytime temperatures around 21°C to 27°C and cooler nights. The main rains fall from March to May, with a lighter season in November.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26 | 14 | 60 |
| Feb | 27 | 14 | 70 |
| Mar | 26 | 15 | 150 |
| Apr | 24 | 16 | 330 |
| May | 22 | 15 | 180 |
| Jun | 21 | 12 | 25 |
| Jul | 21 | 11 | 10 |
| Aug | 22 | 11 | 10 |
| Sep | 24 | 12 | 15 |
| Oct | 26 | 13 | 30 |
| Nov | 26 | 15 | 100 |
| Dec | 26 | 15 | 100 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
June to October and January to February are dry and sunny, with clear views of Mount Meru and often Kilimanjaro.
March to May is wet, with heavy afternoon showers. Mornings are often clear, and the town is green and quiet.
Arusha can be visited at any time of year, and a night or two is useful for recovering from a flight and organising kit for a climb or safari.
Best time to visit Jan to Feb, Jul to Sep
Kilimanjaro International Airport lies about 50 kilometres east of Arusha, a transfer of 45 to 60 minutes. Arusha Airport has scheduled flights to the Serengeti, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam and other parks. Road links to Nairobi run via Namanga.
Most visitors need a Tanzania visa, applied for online before travel or bought on arrival at Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam, currently US$50 for a single-entry tourist visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months. Yellow fever rules apply if you arrive from an endemic country.
Arusha has good private clinics and pharmacies. The town is at moderate altitude, so the malaria risk is lower than in the parks, but please take advice before you travel.
National ParkSerengeti National ParkThe Great Migration
Wildlife Reserve & SanctuaryNgorongoro Conservation AreaA day on the crater floorSafaris from
US$1,222 per person
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