Arusha city, located in the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, serves as the regional capital of Arusha region.
It is a vital stopover and starting point for some of Tanzania’s most visited destinations, including the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Olduvai Gorge, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park, Mount Meru, and Arusha National Park.
Arusha’s first settlers were the Arusha Chini and Masai communities.
However, Arusha has evolved into a multicultural city with a blend of ethnicities from different parts of Tanzania.
The city is also home to a natural history museum, opened in 1987, which showcases exhibits related to early humans, local flora, and fauna.
In 1896, Germans took control of Arusha after the murder of two missionaries near the slopes of Mount Meru.
A military fort was established, and Africans were forced off their lands to construct the port, which involved carrying building materials.
During World War I in 1916, the British wrested control of Arusha from the German colonialists.
While many Germans were deported, the military administration block remained.
In the 1920s, more missionaries arrived from the United States, and Greeks settled on former German farms.
The town’s population grew, and by the time of World War II, it had reached about 5,000 people.
The extension of the railway from Moshi to Arusha further boosted the town’s economy.
Arusha is also home to the African Court, East African Community, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and African Union.
The city is approximately located on the equator, with temperatures ranging between 10 to 30 degrees Celsius.
Parts of the famous movie “Hatari” were filmed around Momella Lakes and Mount Meru. Additionally, Arusha played a significant role in the signing of the official independence documents for Tanganyika in 1961.
Arusha Airport
Arusha Airport is situated in the western part of Arusha’s capital in Tanzania and is currently served by six airlines.
This public airport is owned by the Tanzanian government and operated by the Tanzania Airport Authority.
It falls under category II and is located 7 kilometers from the city center.
In 1956, Colonel Grey, a renowned farmer at the time, cultivated sorghum and coffee from Mateves and Burka regions of Arusha, and he built the airport.
The airport was handed over to Tanganyika when it gained independence from colonial rule in 1961.
In 1977, after the breakdown of the East African Community, the airport was managed by East African Community Airways.
Later, it was transferred to the Agricultural department called Kilomo Hunger.
Arusha Airport is classified as a code 3C airport according to ICAO standard annex 14.
The airport’s runway is 30 meters wide and 1680 meters long.
It features five taxiways (A, B, C, D, and P – parallel taxiway) with a length of 500 meters and a width of 7.5 meters, connecting the remote apron, Runway 09, and Taxiway A.
Arusha Airport operates exclusively during the daytime, with no nighttime operations.
The main area can accommodate parking for Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, 3 ATR 72, or 15 caravans simultaneously.
The remote apron can park aircraft weighing less than 15,000 tonnes.
The departure facility at Arusha Airport can accommodate 219 passengers at once.
Arusha Airport primarily serves tourists visiting the northern circuit route for national parks in Tanzania.
There are numerous tourist activities available within and around Arusha town, including climbing Mount Meru, visiting Arusha National Park, and exploring the diverse wildlife and bird species in the area.
Climb Mount Meru
Mount Meru, located within the Arusha region of Tanzania, rises to an elevation of 4,562 meters above sea level, providing a stunning backdrop to Arusha town.
It is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania after Mount Kilimanjaro and often serves as a warm-up climb for visitors planning to tackle Kilimanjaro.
The climb to Mount Meru’s peak typically takes 3-4 days, with fit climbers sometimes completing it in 3 days.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy superb views of Mount Kilimanjaro and may encounter wildlife and birds.
Climbers are advised to bring waterproof hiking gear, long-sleeved clothing, rain jackets, plenty of drinking water, energy-giving snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and other personal essentials.
Visit Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park, located near the capital, boasts diverse landscapes and is home to Mount Meru and picturesque Momella Lakes.
Established in 1961, the park covers an area of 137 square kilometers and is known for its varied wildlife, including warthogs, zebras, Cape buffalos, giraffes, bushbucks, leopards, elephants, black and white colobus monkeys, and more.
The park is also a haven for birdwatchers, with over 400 species of birds recorded.
Among them are flamingoes inhabiting Momella Lakes, as well as the Narina trogon, Egyptian goose, bar-tailed trogon, African fish eagle, African olive pigeon, and many others.
Arusha Airport serves as a gateway to these exciting attractions and experiences, making it a pivotal hub for travelers exploring the region.
