Arusha is situated at the southern slopes of Mount Meru, with an elevation of 1,400 meters. It’s renowned as a one-stop destination for travelers visiting Tanzania’s northern circuit route for mountain climbing, cultural experiences, and wildlife watching. There are many tourist attractions close to Arusha, including Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, Serengeti National Park, Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, to name a few.
History of Arusha Town
Arusha was first settled by Masai and Arusha Chini communities in the 1830s. The Masai traded milk, meat, livestock, and skins with the Arusha Chini in exchange for honey, tobacco, grains, and beer. The Pangani valley trade route was extended through old Moshi, Arusha, to western Kenya, leading to increased demand for foodstuffs in the 1860s.
The first two missionaries to the region were murdered near Mount Meru, and the Germans colonized Arusha in 1896, establishing a military fort. During the fort’s construction, many Africans were displaced and forced to work.
After World War I, regional administration was moved from Moshi to Arusha. British forces displaced the Germans, leaving empty houses unoccupied. Civilian administration was implemented in the 1920s, and British missionaries and Greeks settled in former German settlements. The railway road was extended from Moshi to Arusha.
Parts of the movie “Hatari” were filmed around Mount Meru and Momella Lakes in the 1960s. Arusha was officially declared one of Tanzania’s cities on July 1, 2006.
While in Arusha, you can visit the National Natural History Museum, opened in 1987 to exhibit plants, animals, and early human history in the region. Here, you can learn a lot about the history and culture of Arusha town and its surrounding areas.
Activities in Arusha Town
Arusha town is a leading tourist town in Tanzania and serves as a gateway for tourists visiting the northern circuit tourist attractions. Some activities you can do while in Arusha town include:
- Visit Arusha National Park: Arusha National Park is situated 25 kilometers from Arusha town and is famous for its spectacular landscapes and beautiful Momella Lakes. Despite its small size compared to other Tanzanian national parks, Arusha National Park provides a true wilderness experience. It is home to various wildlife species and prolific birdlife.
- Cultural Encounters: Arusha town is multicultural, with various tribes living in the area. Tourists can visit villages on the outskirts of Arusha town to get insight into how people live in this part of the world. You can enjoy activities like African traditional music and dance, traditional meals, and more.
- Climb Mount Kilimanjaro: Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, is located 82 kilometers from Arusha town. Climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro takes 5 to 9 days, depending on the route chosen. There are also shorter hikes that can be done.
- Meserani Snake Park: Visit Meserani Snake Park located on the outskirts of town. This educational center allows you to learn about and see different kinds of snakes. It supports the local communities in the area.
- Climb Mount Meru: Mount Meru, the second-highest mountain in Tanzania, is found in Arusha National Park. It’s an excellent destination for trekkers who want to acclimatize before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Shopping: Tourists can shop at local food markets or souvenir shops in Arusha town. Support the locals by buying beautiful handmade jewelry and other items.
- Explore Coffee Plantations: Arusha is home to large-scale coffee plantations. Visitors can explore these plantations and have a seed-to-cup experience of Tanzanian coffee.
- Visit Natural History Museum: The Natural History Museum in Arusha is the best place to learn about the history of the town. It exhibits history, culture, nature, and human evolution of the Arusha region.
- Tanzanite Shopping: Tanzanite, a blue and violet mineral found only in Tanzania, is available for purchase. You can buy jewelry made from Tanzanite and learn more about it and the mining process.
Arusha town can be visited all year round, but if you plan to combine your visit with mountain climbing and wildlife viewing, the best time to visit is during the drier months of June to September and December to February.
Arusha can be accessed by flying to Kilimanjaro International Airport and then driving to the town in 45 minutes. Tourists flying to Nyerere International Airport can also drive to Arusha from Dar es Salaam.
