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Arusha in Tanzania is a typical small, dusty, Sub-Saharan African town, which is part of its charm. Set at the foot of Mount Meru, it has bustling markets next to old, rather dilapidated colonial buildings interspersed with more modern shops. All are set on pot-holed roads filled with hooting taxis and crazy drivers. It's hard not to feel the beat of Africa here.
The town of Arusha was first settled in the 1830s by the Maasai people. Then, in the early 1900s, the town was conquered by the Germans, who built the fort (Boma), which still stands. The British took the town during WW1 and remained in their hands until independence was granted to the then Tanganyika in 1961. In July 2006, Tanzania declared Arusha a city. This chequered past adds to the mixture of architecture and culture still found here.
Arusha is the most common starting point in Tanzania for Serengeti Safaris to see the Great Migration of Africa.
Slap-bang in the middle of Arusha is the Clock Tower Circle. Built in the 1950s, urban legend has it that this is the central point between Cape Town (South Africa) and Cairo. It's not really, but it's a cool story and an easy meeting point for tourists and locals alike.
There are taxis aplenty in Arusha. Most are unmetered, so be sure to establish a fare before you get in. It's not advisable to walk in Arusha at night and in some areas of town in the day – muggings and pick-pocketing happen here, so leave your valuables at your accommodation. Speak to the Tanzania Tourist Board on Boma Road or your hosts to get a feel of where to go and where to avoid.
Looking for a spot to catch up on Facebook, send an e-mail to the family back home, and enjoy a cup of coffee and a piece of cake while you're doing it?
Not just a coffee shop, Fifi's has a restaurant too. The baked goodies and fresh bread fill the restaurant's indoor and outdoor areas with mouth-watering aromas.
They offer local and organic fare with wi-fi access, close to the centre of Arusha. Watch out for their quiz nights - a great way to meet people!
Close to the Clock Tower, Cafe Barrista offers cheap internet access in their 'internet cafe' section if you're not eating, or free with a meal.
You're guaranteed to find something to nibble on, though, their menu is enormous and covers a wide range of international delicacies – Mexican, Chinese, Burgers, steaks, fish ... you name it, they've got it.
Rumour has it, you should try the pizza!
Africafe prides itself on having freshly roasted coffee and freshly baked pies, pastries and cakes. Considering that Arusha is surrounded by coffee plantations, you can't get closer to the source than this!
They produce their own blends of tea and coffee, so this is the place for aficionados.
Tanzania is a land of diverse cultures and, accordingly, cuisines, with the spices of Zanzibar flavoring everything, a big Indian influence, and the inevitable braaied (barbecued) meat - nyama choma - which is served on the street and in restaurants. Arusha has a number of restaurants, but we've picked three of our favorites.
Opened over 25 years ago by the Khan's (senior), this garage-by-day-restaurant-by-night is still run by the family - now the four sons. Specializing in home-cooked barbeque and salads, you'll be licking your fingers to get every last bit of their tasty food.
So you're a fan of Lebanese/Mediterranean food? Or never tried it before? You can, right here in Arusha, at The Fig and Olive.
Delicious food with an outdoor bar and seating in a beautiful garden, this place offers regular quiz nights, live music and a great place to hang out – eating, drinking, and being merry.
Mother and daughter team, Joyce and Serena, run this restaurant (and bookshop) from home. It's a little tricky to find, so make sure your taxi driver knows exactly where you're going. The trip is completely worth it for Joyce's delectable home-cooked food.
There's no menu – everything is seasonal and fresh. If you're a fussy eater, call before, to check what's on the menu for the day. They're incredibly obliging and hugely welcoming. It's the kind of place that restores your faith in humanity while filling your belly with delight.
Pubs, clubs, live music and dancing: the nightlife in Arusha offers something to suit everybody.
Set on a large property, Le Patio offers a restaurant, bar, garden area and dancefloor allowing those who wish to party, a party spot; and those who wish to have a quieter meal, a table away from the noise.
They have DJs and live music on various nights, so check their Facebook page to see what's happening.
Situated in the museum gardens, Via Via is an Arusha institution. Thursday nights are live music nights and the party goes on into the wee hours.
Philippe Glauser, general manager of Via Via, has this to say: “Via Via strives to be more than just a café where people eat and drink. Via Via aims to develop culture and bring people together.”
The Lively Lady does its name justice and really becomes lively, especially after 10 PM. It's a little hard to find – down a bit of a dodgy-looking side alley – so don't walk there, and make sure your taxi driver knows where he's going.
Once you're there, you'll be greeted with cold beers, cheap-and-cheerful pub grub and a rocking crowd.
Arusha has a number of museums and galleries that chronicle the history of the town and its people and showcase its art. Many of these incorporate fabulous places to buy things to take home to remind you of your safari experience.
Put your haggling pants on for these markets, they’re an absolute necessity. Haggling is expected, and if you don’t bargain with traders, you’ll be paying inflated prices, so don’t be shy!
You can buy everything from car parts to fresh fruit to beautiful Maasai beadwork and carvings to fabulous kikois, cows, and sheep! Arusha’s markets are the place to buy gifts for those at home.
Beware of pickpockets.
Out on Dodoma Road lies this fantastic center. Starting in 2006, Saskia Reichsteiner made necklaces using African beads and fabric. She initially employed a deaf woman to help her. She soon realized the difficulties facing the disabled in Tanzania.
The business grew exponentially and now provides employment to many disabled people. Making environmentally-friendly products – beadwork, clothes, glasswork, and jewelry – the workshop and shop relocated to the Trader's Walk at the Arusha Coffee Lodge in 2015. Marvel at the beautiful handiwork, buy gifts, and then enjoy a meal at Jikoni.
Its ethos is “Kindness is a language blind people can see and deaf people can hear.”
If you’re looking for beautiful, hand-made crafts – especially beadwork – pop into this little shop in Simeon Road.
Buying things here will mean you’re supporting the women of MWEDO (Maasai Women Development Organisation). Their goal is to empower Tanzanian women through access to education and health.
This center, a little out of town, combines a museum, restaurant, coffee shop, spice center, and shops in which to buy art, curios, African antiques, tanzanite, and more. You can easily get all the gifts you need to take home for the family here.
Wander around the grounds, marveling at the sculptures before heading into the spice center, which doubles as a book shop filled with enticing aromas.
Don't miss out on the Makonde Museum – a showcase of their masterful carved masks.
The center has hosted many famous people over its 20 years of existence, including Bill Clinton and his daughter, Chelsea.
The original fort, built by the Germans in the early 1900s, now houses the Natural History Museum. Learn about the colonial history of Arusha and marvel at the huge collection of stuffed animals.
Read up on the archaeological history of the area and see beautiful pictures of the diverse array of fauna and flora, before enjoying a cup of tea in the cafe.
The beautiful blue-violet gem Tanzanite is found only in northern Tanzania. First shown to tailor-prospector Manuel de Souza by Ali Juuyawatu, a Maasai tribesman, the gems were named by Tiffany & Co.'s Henry B. Platt for the country of their origin and soon became highly sought after.
At The Tanzanite Experience, one can learn the history of this gorgeous, rare gemstone and buy certified stones and jewelry.
Run by BJ and Ma, who are known throughout Africa, especially by the Overlanding community, Meserani Snake Park is not just a snake park. Besides the almost 50 species of eastern and southern African snakes to be seen, it also has a Maasai Cultural Museum and curio market and various other fascinating animals, depending on when you're there (they only take in orphaned or injured animals that will not make it in the wild.)
And then there's the bar ... A treasure trove of memorabilia left by travelers – t-shirts, bottle tops, banknotes, and more adorn the walls and roof of this bar. If only walls could talk, these ones would have a lot to say!
See their Facebook page to check out the latest happenings at the snake park.
Arusha is the base for safaris to Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater on the Northern Safari Circuit. Many of our Tanzania Safaris visit Arusha.
To begin your East African safari in Arusha, you can browse our upcoming tours starting in Arusha here.
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