It is not recommended to hire a car when visiting Arusha, however, there are options to hire your own driver when visiting especially for day trips to Arusha National Park. The driving culture in Africa is very different from Western-style driving, drivers must have great road instincts, profound map-reading skills, and the ability to know their way around. Generally, the advice is not to drive in Tanzania. The roads are through rural areas, parks, and reserves that are dirt roads, meaning a four-wheel drive vehicle is a must.

There are plenty of taxis available in Arusha, they are affordable and a standard fare for a short trip costs around TSH 4,000 to 16,000 depending on the total distance traveled. A short trip within the city center should not cost you more than TSH 5,000. Taxis can be found outside of hotels and major shopping centers, as well as stations around the city. Prices at night for a taxi are considerably higher.

There are options to go mountain biking at Lake Duluti, which is a short drive from Arusha.

There are options for walking in Arusha, especially within the city center where many of the main attractions as well as dining, and entertainment can be found. The Themi Living Gardens is a great place for a relaxing stroll.

Some of the main draws to Arusha are to visit the parks and reserves, however walking is not generally an option, a safari is the best way to see these attractions.

Visitors who are interested in hiking can visit Kilimanjaro National Park, the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. It is located 64 miles away from Arusha, and walking and hiking the park is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Mount Meru stands 15,311 feet tall, there are options for hiking here also.

Arusha is considered a safe city, one of the safest in Tanzania. However, it is advised not to visit the city center at night, or walk alone after dark. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your wallet out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. Sokoine Road and old Moshi Road are areas in the city center to avoid walking in as there are attacks on tourist. Violent crime, theft, and pickpocketing are common throughout the country. Avoid traveling alone, especially at night.

There are a wealth of African Curio shops, bazaars, and local markets in the city, many can be found between India Road, and the Clock Tower. Tanzania offers a wealth of traditional arts and crafts, and Arusha happens to be one of the best places in the country to shop for these items. Arusha’s Central Market is one of the best to visit with a great atmosphere, it’s located between Somali and Sokoine Roads. The stalls here are filled with gems, Maasai blankets, tinga paintings, Kanga fabric and clothing, kitenges, wire toy cars, batiks, and coffee are among popular items to purchase.

The Kilombero Market is the place to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables as well as fish, spices and so much more. The Maasai Market is full of colorful stalls selling various handicrafts like ebony, and redwood as well as clothing, beads, jewelry, and paintings made by locals. These markets are some of the best places to find cool little trinkets, and souvenirs to take home, some fun items to shop for include batik and screened cloths in vibrant colors, and kikoys which make original wrap skirts worn by Tanzanian women. The Arusha Cultural Heritage Center features a collection of carvings, gemstones, artifacts, clothing, jewelry, and books. It was established in 1994 and is a popular tourist attraction for those looking to buy unique souvenirs. There are many precious and semi-precious stones available including rubies, emeralds, tsavorite, diamonds, sapphires, opals, and tanzanite. The center also showcases local artworks including sculptures, contemporary art, and paintings.

Shanga is a busy workshop located at Trader’s Walk on the grounds of Arusha Coffee Lodge. There are local people here showing their high-quality products made using specialist weaving, metalwork, glassblowing, beading, and paper-making. Recycled materials are used whenever possible. Tanzania is well known for its rare and beautiful blue-violet gemstone Tanzanite. This gem can only be found in Tanzania, so Arusha is among one of the best destinations to purchase this blue diamond from a reputable jeweler with an internationally recognized gemstone certification. The Tanzanite Experience is a visual tour to experience the extracting, grinding, polishing, and grading of this rare gem.

Tinga Paintings are paintings showing the fauna of the Serengeti in vibrant striking colors that make them the perfect gift. The art form was founded by Edward Tingatinga in 1968, Edward’s family founded the Tingatinga Cooperative Arts Society to help painters of this beautiful art earn a living. The club building houses galleries and workshops that visitors can witness.

The official language spoken in Nairobi is Swahili. However, English is widely spoken, especially in the service industry, it is taught in schools and used in government, business, and the media. Many people speak fluent English, especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants. We recommend getting a good Swahili/African-English guidebook and learning the basic questions like please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

Arusha sits at an elevation of 4,600 feet above sea level on the southern slopes of Mount Meru, its location keeps temperatures relatively low, also alleviating humidity. The average daily temperatures range between 50-86F degrees, cool air is prevalent throughout the year. The average annual high is around 77F with two distinct seasons; wet and dry. November through March is the hottest time of year, March to May is the long rainy season and the high season falls between June to September, a great time to spot wild animals. The dry kiangazi season is from June to October. The climate in Arusha is classified as a subtropical highland climate. Arusha and the northern highlands of Tanzania experience the bimodal rainfall pattern with two rainy seasons; the long Masika from March through May is more prevalent in Arusha. The short vuli rains are less reliable and usually start in November and December.

The currency of Arusha is the Tanzanian Shilling, the US dollare is also widely accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for the Shilling, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred.

There are a wide variety of restaurants and informal eating places in Arusha, many are predominantly Indian cuisine, which is said to be the best food due to the large community of Indians in the city. African and Western dishes are also among some of the most popular. There are some popular Indian restaurants found on Swahili Road. There are also some great authentic street food options to check out in Arusha as well as more upmarket options found on the Eastern side of town. However, some of the best dining options are located outside of the city at places such as The Themi Living Gardens a verdant leafy setting, and home to Eat Wild an eco-restaurant. The Mulberry is another great choice to sit and enjoy food and cocktails while capturing a stunning sunset.

Many travelers who come to Arusha for the National Parks and safaris like to enjoy their meals at their lodges where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the comfort of your own room. The food is prepared from gardens on site, meaning it is straight from the soil to the plate with the freshest ingredients.

There are some wonderful casual dining options found on Haile Selassie Road with options for BBQ, chicken dishes, salads, pizza, and tapas. Some popular dishes include Nyama Choma, northern Tanzanian-style barbecue with roast meat served with a side of french fries, Pili Pili sauce washed down with a cold beer or soda. Indian staples like biryani, pilau, chapati, and naan are found all over town. The Arusha Farmers Market is a great location to pick up a wide selection of Tanzanian delicacies as well as locally grown produce.

There are a wide variety of restaurants and informal eating places in Arusha, many are predominantly Indian cuisine, which is said to be the best food due to the large community of Indians in the city. African and Western dishes are also among some of the most popular. There are some popular Indian restaurants found on Swahili Road. There are also some great authentic street food options to check out in Arusha as well as more upmarket options found on the Eastern side of town. However, some of the best dining options are located outside of the city at places such as The Themi Living Gardens a verdant leafy setting, and home to Eat Wild an eco-restaurant. The Mulberry is another great choice to sit and enjoy food and cocktails while capturing a stunning sunset.

Many travelers who come to Arusha for the National Parks and safaris like to enjoy their meals at their lodges where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the comfort of your own room. The food is prepared from gardens on site, meaning it is straight from the soil to the plate with the freshest ingredients.

There are some wonderful casual dining options found on Haile Selassie Road with options for BBQ, chicken dishes, salads, pizza, and tapas. Some popular dishes include Nyama Choma, northern Tanzanian-style barbecue with roast meat served with a side of french fries, Pili Pili sauce washed down with a cold beer or soda. Indian staples like biryani, pilau, chapati, and naan are found all over town. The Arusha Farmers Market is a great location to pick up a wide selection of Tanzanian delicacies as well as locally grown produce.

There are many hot and happening nightlife establishments found in Arusha, choose from upscale cocktail bars, sports lounges, karaoke bars, nightclubs, and even Sheesha Lounges. Arusha boasts an authentic vibrant nightlife scene with a variety of interesting bars and restaurants, as well as tailored guides with options on where to go and what to do for a night out on the town. There is also a growing live music scene in Arusha with many places to sit back and relax while enjoying some music by local live bands.

In case of an emergency dial 112 for local police, and 114 for an ambulance, or fire.

Hospitals: AICC Hosptial tel.255-27-254-4113

Arusha Lutheran Medical Center tel. 255-27-254-8030