TravelTips24 : Africa : East Africa : Tanzania : Northeast Tanzania : Arusha

Arusha

Arusha is a city of approximately 400,000 people in Northeast Tanzania, East Africa. It is regarded as the gateway to the popular Northern Safari Circuit.

Culture and History

Arusha also known as "A" Town by the locals is situated at the foot of Mount Meru, Africa's 5th highest mountain. The altitude gives the city a pleasant climate and lush green environment.

Arusha is not a particularly attractive city in itself and is regarded by many visitors as little more than a necessary stopover before their safari starts in earnest. However, the natural charm of the Tanzanians and the buzz of a fast-growing city mean that Arusha has plenty to offer for those who are prepared to see beyond their air-conditioned safari trucks and satellite-TV hotel rooms.

Travel to Arusha & Visa Requirements

Arusha is served by two airports. Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) has regular flights to Amsterdam with KLM, and to Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Nairobi. Kilimanjaro Airport is approximately 60km (45 minutes) from the city center. A taxi ride costs 50 USD but many airlines run a shuttle service for free or 10 USD. 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.

Visas-on-arrival are available at Kilimanjaro International Airport for USD 50/Eur 50 for all nationalities.

Arusha can be reached by express coach from Nairobi (Kenya, 6 hours), Dar es Salaam (12 hours), and Kampala (Uganda, 17 hours) 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.

Tours & Getting around Arusha

The main mode of public transport is daladala, the ubiquitous minibuses which ply their trade on all the main routes in town. Although very cheap (typically Tsh 200 for any trip within town) they will become very cramped and safety is a serious consideration. Accidents involving daladalas are frequent and usually with serious consequences for the passengers. Taxis are plentiful and cheap. It is best to agree a price before leaving for your destination. Car hire is possible though most companies prefer to provide their own drivers.

Arusha attractions and sightseeing

Arusha is home to the UNICTR, the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda [1]. It is also the site of the signing of the Arusha Declaration.

Central market is a bustling produce market that is worth exploring.

Arusha city tours

  • Climb Mount Meru (4,667 m). It can be done in from 2 up to 4 days, depending on your 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 for warm clothing and sleeping bags.
  • Tanzania Tourist Board can arrange cultural excursions to nearby villages for 15000- 50000 TSH. Keep in mind your guide will probably hassle you for donations to their school or orphanage- more than likely that money will never go beyond your guide's pocket, so it is advisable to give money to a reputable charity.
  • Century Cinema has movies for 5000-7000TSH. It is part of a modern complex on Njiro road, which also houses modern and upmarket restaurants including popular indian restaurant "Khan's" and steak outlet "McMoody's". However, Njiro Road 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 shoulndn't cost more than 4000TSH.

  • Bramwel Safaris, [2]. Camping safari tours to Manyara, Tarangire, and Serengeti.

Arusha souvenirs & shopping

  • Craft market: Don't forget to bargain!

Arusha Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Arusha has a wide variety of restaurants and informal eating places, with a predominance of Indian cuisine. Meals range from US$ 0.40 for street fare to $15 for main courses at the high-end hotels.

McMoody's has a little bit of everything in a fun causal setting right in the center of town. They also have a branch in the complex in Njiro Road where there is the cinema. Prices are reasonable. Breakfast including eggs, bread and coffee/tea is 1400TSH. Open 7am-10pm, 7 days a week. Their steak is a must, as our their desserts.

The big bite Indian restaurant is somewhat expensive (ca. 5000Tsh each), but the food is great, genuinly Indian.

Cafe Bamboo Restaurant - Higher end cafe/restaurant, but inexpensive for foreign travellers. Great snacks such as samosas, chips and kebabs. Also serves western, Indian and traditional African dishes. Popular amongst tourists!

Dragon Pearl Chinese food restaurant is located on Old Moshi Road just past the Impala Hotel Roundabout. The only place for edible Chinese food in Arusha, moderately priced, and say hi to Louie for special deal!

Khan's Chicken on the Bonnet Pakistani BBQ, includes chicken, beef, mutton, assorted salads, and nan. Arguably best BBQ in town (rivals with Nick's Pub in Njiro). Two locations, one in town center which serves as a car repair shop by day and bbq venue by night, newer location at cinema in Njiro. (4500-9000Tsh/person)

Onsea House Restaurant Renown as best French/Belgian restaurant in Arusha. Recommended for a romantic candle light dinner or special celebration. After reservation only. Dinner Reservations: +255 787 112 498

Arusha nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Arusha has many interesting bars and restaurants. As a rule the best food is Indian, thanks to the large sub-continental community in the city. Liquid Blue in Njiro and Big Bite on the Swahili Road are among the most popular Indian restaurants. For 'Nyama Choma', or Tanzanian roast meat, Nick Bar in Njiro is also popular. There are uncountable local bars which are generally welcoming to adventurous foreigners. The less adventurous visitors stick to Via Via, in the grounds of the old German fort, which is an interesting cultural center and part of an NGO which trains locals in the hospitality industry. There are plenty of options for bars and restaurants for those who for some reason seem to wish to avoid locals altogether but these places are very easy to find and hardly worth listing here. For nightclubs, the Colobus Club, Maasai Camp, Triple A, 777 and Polygon Triangle are popular with locals and foreigners alike. They start late and finish very, very late (or early). Pickpockets have been known to operate and all these bars are popular with the local sex workers so the usual discretion should be applied.

Arusha cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

Arusha has plentiful accommodation to cater to all ends of the scale. For budget travellers, many recommend the Maasai Camp (about 45 minutes walk from the city center) or the Snake Park (which is in a village called Meserani, about 16km out on the Dodoma Road). These are both lively locations with popular bars and good services at a very low price. For a quieter stay, Centre House, run by nuns is located a few minutes walk from the clock tower and offers basic rooms, both dormitory style and smaller rooms. Food and drink (including beer!) is available from the sisters. Meru House Inn located in the center of town is another budget option with double rooms going for Tsh7000 a night, clean rooms with shared toilet and showers - it also has a great, very reasonably priced Indian restaurant on the ground floor. Be sure to avoid touts. If you are traveling as a couple, a good idea is for one person to sit in a lobby or restaurant with the bags, while the other scopes out rooms. You are likely to get a cheaper price without the bags, and not be targeted by sneaky touts (they signal reception or hang around behind you)which will raise the price $5-$10 for you for their commission.

There are many hotels in the center of the town, including the international-grade Impala hotel and the New Arusha. You won't get any surprises in this sort of accommodation. At the highest end of the scale there are numerous luxurious lodges in and around the city, some of which offer stunning scenery and the best standard of accommodation. Onsea House is a luxury B&B with only 5 rooms, Arusha's only boutique hotel, recommended as hip hideaway just 7 km out of the centre. Also worth a mention is the Kigongoni Lodge which is run by an NGO. All the profits go to support a local school for mentally handicapped children so that you can stay in luxury while helping the nearby community.

Stay safe

Arusha is a moderately safe city by African standards, though all normal precautions should be observed. Caution should be taken when walking around the central, tourist district during the day as bag-snatching and camera thefts have been reported. Increasingly tourists are being held up at machete point, even during the day. It is not advisable to walk at night, alone or in groups - cabs are plentiful but fares should always be agreed upon at the start of a journey. When walking in any part of the city beyond the central district, it is advisable to take a guide. Avoid street hawkers and sellers by ignoring them completely. Do not even say hello or make eye contact. It is the most efficient way of getting rid of them, some may be dangerous.

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This page was last edited at 14:12, on 10 December 2008 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Albert Lingelbach, Sergey Kudryavtsev, Jason J Cho, Daud Kiango, Al and Thomas Wilson, Wikitravel user(s) Texugo, Riki and Walkinmyshadow, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.

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