Arusha Safari Tours | 2022 Tanzania Safari
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Overview
Arusha is the main hub for top safari parks especially in the northern safari circuit of Tanzania. This includes Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Ngorongoro Crater. Additionally, Arusha holds domestic and international airports and public transportation hubs that connect to other major cities on the continent. In this article, we will cover the most renowned safaris from Arusha Tanzania and information on how to get here, what you need to get here, etc.
VISA/IMMIGATIONA visa is a permission granted to a foreigner to enter and remain in the United Republic of Tanzania for a specific period of time
SAFETY AND SECURITYTanzania is a safe country to travel in. Tanzanians are warm – hearted and generous people and are eager to help visitors get the most out of their stay.
ARUSHA AIRPORT TRANSFERSWe Provide service that is reliable and affordable in all cities across Tanzania. We do transfers from airports to all Tanzania cities and tons
ARUSHA CITY HIGHLIGHT
Arusha, formerly Northern Region, administrative region, northern Tanzania, East Africa. It is bordered on the northeast by Kenya.
Safaris & Tours
Deemed as the most accessible park in Tanzania, Arusha National Park boasts of an incredible landscape and wildlife that offers various safari activities including a canoe trip, walking safari and picnics in the wild. It also covers Mount Meru, a dormant volcano that is known as Africa’s fifth highest mountain, considered an excellent introductory climbing destination.
BEST TOURS IN LAKE MANYARALake Manyara is one of the smaller parks in Tanzania but still offers beautiful landscapes and is home to an interesting collection of wildlife.
BEST TOURS IN TARANGIRE
Tarangire is one of the more seasonal parks in northern Tanzania, with a lot of migratory movement within the greater Tarangire ecosystem.
BEST TOURS IN NGORONGOROA visit to the Ngorongoro Crater is an experience of a lifetime. There are few places that have wildlife densities and variety on this level.
BEST TOURS IN SERENGETI
Arusha, formerly Northern Region, administrative region, northern Tanzania, East Africa. It is bordered on the northeast by Kenya.
Walking Safari.
Walk freely alongside the wildlife of Tanzania and visit unique sights. A great way to start your Safari Experience. At the foot of Mount meru lies Arusha National Park. A beautiful park, famous for its green surroundings, lakes, unique sights and its black and white colubus monkey. A walking safari is an unique and thrilling experience and a chance to be up-close with wild animals, face to face. Something that is only possible in a few national parks.
WALKING IN NGORONGORO
Ngorongor has the rich wildlife and a large natural diversity. The area is not a national park but a conversation area as Maasai lives in and their cattles.
WALKING IN SERENGETIThe emphasis on this trip is on quietly exploring the wilder areas of the park on foot, well away from any crowds. The Park has a different wilderness…
WALKING SAFARI IN RUAHAIf you’re looking for a traditional walking safari experience, supported by a mobile camp, then in our opinion few of the alternatives come close.
WALKING IN SELOUS
This walking safari in Tanzania’s Selous offers the thrilling chance to encounter the bush and wildlife on its own terms alongside expert guides.
Mountain Climbing.
The most frequent expeditions are obviously to Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru, but there are also other destinations such as the Crater Highlands. Trekking companies will happily put together an itinerary that suits your preferences and our ”things to bring” section will help to make sure that you are adequately prepared. It is advisable, especially when climbing at higher altitudes, to take things slowly and allow your body to acclimatize.
MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMBMount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano in Tanzania. It has three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. Click below to read more.
MOUNT MERU ARUSHAMount Meru is located just north of Arusha, in the Arusha Region. It is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania, after Kilimanjaro.
OLDOINYO LENGAIEast Africa’s only active volcano, Ol Doinyo Lengai, is situated south of Lake Natron. In the Maasai the name means the sacred Mountain of God.
UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS
Harbouring one of East Africa’s great forests, Udzungwa Mountain National Park has an area of 1990 sq km, bordered by the Great Ruaha River…
Cultural tours.
Cultural tours are a popular product in Arusha and Tanzania in general that is mostly sold as an add-on to enrich main safari tour programs. Most cultural tour sites in mainland Tanzania were developed by the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), starting with selected villages around Arusha in northern Tanzania and spreading out into other areas. These are traditionally existing villages which have been made accessible to visitors who may have a glimpse of the authentic lifestyle of the more than 120 tribes in rural Tanzania.
ARUSHA ETHNIC GROUPSThe main ethnic groups are Iraqw, Arusha, Maasai, Meru and Barbaig. Others in small numbers are Sonjo, Gorowa, Rangi, Chagga, Pare and Nguu.
ARUSHA CULTURAL TOURISMCultural tours in Arusha are a popular product in Tanzania that is mostly sold as an add-on to enrich main safari tour programs.
ARUSHA AIRPORT TRANSFERSWe Provide service that is reliable and affordable in all cities across Tanzania. We do transfers from airports to all Tanzania cities and tons
ARUSHA CITY HIGHLIGHT
Arusha, formerly Northern Region, administrative region, northern Tanzania, East Africa. It is bordered on the northeast by Kenya.
Beach Holidays
Zanzibar, considered the Jewel of the Indian Ocean, is the perfect place to relax, live an adventure and enjoy the authentic African experience, with the comfort and security you can expect at home. Zanzibar’s tropical climate, incredible beaches, fascinating history and warm, welcoming people will captivate you will enjoy an experience you will never forget.
GUIDE TO ZANZIBAR BEACHESA group of islands and islets some 25 miles off the Tanzanian coast, the Zanzibar Archipelago is headlined by Unguja and Pemba.
TOP ACTIVITIES IN ZANZIBARZanzibar is an East African island just off the coast of mainland Tanzania. It’s a tourist hotspot with many fun activities to offer.
GETTING TO ZANZIBARZanzibar International Airport is located approximately 6 kilometers south of Stone Town, the island capital. This article has it all…
ZANZIBAR AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Meet and Greet Airport Services at Zanzibar International airport; we offer a reliable 24 hour meet & greet service all the Island.
Historical Sites.
Tanzania in East Africa is a country with a lot to offer not only in the form of majestic wildlife, savannahs and beaches as well as historical locations well worth a visit. Although many ventures to this part of the world for the islands and beaches there is still a lot of cultural and historic sites to see whilst in the region, here are five must-see places of historical significance to see on your next trip to this inspiring East African destination.
CULTURE HERITAGE CENTER
The Cultural Heritage Centre is the perfect place to begin your history expedition in Arusha. The building itself is a spectacle of beauty that beckons to be photographed.
THE CLOCK TOWERSituated in the heart of the town, the Clock Tower is a historical monument that attracts locals and tourists. You can enjoy the tower as a part of a day tour.
BOMA HISTORY MUSEUMThe Boma natural history museum of is a compound that showcases the natural history, wildlife, and artifacts of the Arusha region – Tanzania.
OLDUVAI GORGE
Olduvai Gorge is considered an essential paleoanthropological site globally because it contains information to unlocking the mysteries of the evolution of early humans.
Arusha Mini Safari & Tours Guide
If you’re going on safari to any of Tanzania’s northern conservation areas – such as the Serengeti, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro National Park or Lakes Manyara, Eyasi, Duluti and Natron – then you will probably have at least one night in Arusha, a small town in the foothills of Mount Meru that acts as a gateway to the Northern Safari Circuit.
This short guide is for those travellers who want to make the most of their limited time in Arusha and venture beyond the leafy gardens of their overnight lodges. Of course, we won’t judge you if all you want to do after a long-haul flight or exciting road safari is simply flop next to the pool! But many travellers want to see a little more of Africa, so read on to see what Arusha has to offer.
Getting Here
The main city in Tanzania is Dar es Salaam – to go from there to Arusha by bus, it takes about 10 hours (if the trip is not delayed). There many companies offering the tour, though the most known ones are Dar Express and Kilimanjaro Express. A semi luxe bus ticket (without aircon) costs 32,000 shillings (aprox U$ 16); the Luxe bus ticket costs Tsh 36,000 (with aircon). Both have a toilet inside the bus. From Nairobi to Arusha it takes 6 hours by shuttle bus (it takes about one hour to cross the border, as you do your Visa on arrival). The main bus companies are Millenium and Impala. From Moshi to Arusha it takes about 1:30 by bus, there are buses or shuttle buses every hour.Arusha has a small airport, for flights inside the country – international flights arrive at Kilimanjaro airport (50 km from Arusha).
Visa
You can do your visa on arrival, it´s very practical and easy. Although the Tanzania Embassy site tells you to do it advance, there´s no need of it. You gotta have your Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate (otherwise you can take the vaccine shot there at the border). When you arrive at the border with Kenya, the first thing you have to do is to show your yellow fever vaccination card. Then you fill the form they give you, and present it at the Visa window, where they take your photo and register your fingertips. After that, all you have to do is to pay for the visa at the next window outside (50 U$ dollars), and come back to the Visa window to get your stamped passport. The regular visa is valid for entering only one time in the country, and it´s valid for 3 months. You can also ask for a multiple entries visa, in case you need it.
Getting Around Arusha
The easiest way to move around Arusha is by Dalla Dalla, the public mini buses that run all around the city. There´ll always be someone shouting the destination, otherwise you can just ask. They´re super cheap, from Njiro to town you pay 400 shillings (about U$ 0,40).
You can also take taxis to move around, there are plenty of them at the Clock Tower.
Where to eat in Arusha?
Hot pizza at Rivertrees Country Inn.
But lunch may be a different story and we encourage you to strike out. There are a few restaurants and bars on Haile Selassie Road that your guide may take you to for casual dining. Otherwise, hit a different lodge for pizza with a twist or tapas enjoyed under the trees, birds and monkeys playing in the branches above you.
Restaurant at Arusha Coffee Lodge
Most travellers choose to take their meals at their lodges, which makes sense for breakfast and dinner when you don’t want to venture too far from the comfort of your room, especially after a long journey.
Delicious tapas at Legendary Lodge.
Because the Arusha area is so fertile (hence all the delicious coffee), many lodges have thriving kitchen gardens where fresh produce makes it straight from the soil to your plate. Not only does this cut down on food air miles but it also creates awesome job opportunities and gives you real flavour.
There is no shortage of restaurants in Arusha. Most top-end restaurants are found in upmarket hotels and shopping centres. There is a variety of cuisine ranging from cheaply made local meals to pricey seafood dishes. In Arusha you will find Chinese, Indian, Mediterranean, and International restaurants offering Ethiopian, Japanese and Malaysian cuisine. For the more adventurous the local ‘Swahili-style’ cuisines are a must. You will be served either spicy seafood, chicken, ugali, cassava, or plantain.
Shopping in Arusha
For in-the-know locals and travelers alike, the downtown area is a place to linger and shop in a city known as a quick layover to safari destinations.
This sprawling city in the northern tourist region of Tanzania is the gateway to popular safari destinations and Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro. But even if your stay is a brief stopover, you shouldn’t miss some of the stores that locals enjoy in Arusha’s downtown, an area of mostly low-slung concrete buildings where street vendors hawk everything from local crafts and fruit to children’s toys. These establishments sell goods made exclusively in this East African country and show off a side of Tanzania that’s beyond its prime game viewing.
Shanga
A social enterprise and destination for design lovers, Shanga sells handicrafts made by Tanzanians with disabilities. These artisans produce an expansive range of goods such as drinking and wine glasses made with recycled colored glass, woven cotton shawls and place mats and decorative metal objects. Prices from $1.
Gohil’s
When Arushans want to buy local culinary staples such as peanuts and cashews, honey, dried fruits like bananas and mangoes, and spices like turmeric, chai masala and clove powder, they go to this simple store. On the second floor of a mall, Gohil’s stocks premium versions of these staples at affordable prices. Prices from $1.
Arusha Cultural Heritage
This unique cultural heritage centre is located at the outskirts of the ever bubbling city of Arusha. It is composed of outstanding commercial art gallery, precious stone counter, a tanzanite, a jewellery boutique, curio shops, local crafts, bookshop, high quality clothing and much more.
Njiro Complex
In this shopping complex, visitors will have the rare privilege of enjoying local and intercontinental dishes in variety of on-site restaurants and bars. Other features include a cinema and disco complex, a pet shop, shoe and clothes shops, supermarkets, ATMs, open-air food court and lots more.
Arusha Maasai Market
The Arusha Maasai market is a modern display of traditional people’s culture. It sells original African artefacts and has become a melting point for various tradespeople who might not be Maasai by ethnicity, including tourists, in search of genuine African souvenirs and so man other things.
Burka Coffee Estate
Just beyond downtown, you can see verdant coffee plantations in the distance. A trip to this lush 1,200 acre coffee farm, built around 1899, is well worth it to learn about the pride Tanzanians take in their high-quality coffee production. it’s possible to get a tour of the estate and the roasting facility, as well as a tasting. Prices from $7.
Arusha National Park Map
National Parks Near Arusha
Located just a short drive from Arusha Town, lies the national park with that bears the same name. Arusha National Park is the most accessible national park of the Northern Circuit in Tanzania and the perfect place for a day trip or as the first ór last stop on a longer itinerary. At just 552 square kilometres, Arusha NP is a small park with a lot to see.
At 5,895 m, Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa. This volcanic massif stands in splendid isolation above the surrounding plains, with its snowy peak looming over the savannah. The mountain is encircled by mountain forest. Numerous mammals, many of them endangered species, live in the park.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans vast expanses of highland plains, savanna, savanna woodlands and forests. Established in 1959 as a multiple land use area, with wildlife coexisting with semi-nomadic Maasai pastoralists practicing traditional livestock grazing, it includes the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest caldera.
Serengeti National Park is a World Heritage Site teeming with wildlife: over 2 million ungulates, 4000 lions, 1000 leopard, 550 cheetahs and some 500 bird species inhabit an area close to 15,000 square kilometers in size. Join us on a safari and explore the endless Serengeti plains dotted with trees and kopjes from which majestic lions control their kingdom; gaze upon the Great Migration in awe or find an elusive leopard in a riverine forest.
Welcome to Lake Manyara National Park well known for the tree climbing lions, the soda ash lake that attracts thousands and pink flamingos, one of Tanzania’s biggest elephant population and breathtaking scenery! This travel guide offers you the most updated information about the attractions, Lake Manyara accommodation, getting there and so much more. Enjoy your safari in Tanzania!
Slightly off the popular northern Tanzania Safari Circuit, the park lies between the meadows of Masai Steppe to the south east and the lakes of the Great Rift Valley to the north and west. Within the northern part of Tarangire is the permanent River Tarangire also known as the life-line of the park particularly in the dry season when most of the region is totally dry. This flows northwards until it exits the park in the northwestern corner to pour into Lake Burungi. There are a number of wide swamps which dry into green plains during the dry season in the south.
At a height of 4,566 meters (14,980 ft), Mount Meru is a dormant stratovolcano located in Arusha National Park, 70 Kilometres (43 miles) west of Mount Kilimanjaro in the country of Tanzania. Typically Mount Meru Climb takes four days, but it can be done in 3 days to complete a trek to the Summit.
It is visible from Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day, and is the fifth-highest mountain in Africa, dependent on definition. Climb Mount Meru, Second highest Mountain in Tanzania, is great with no traffic and amazing wildlife experience as you hike past wild animals.
Top Rated Accommodation in Arusha
Arusha has various central and suburban accommodations located in distinct areas of the city, and of course there are a lot to choose from in Arusha. Therefore, I’ve narrowed it down to a few of my personal picks. In this article, I’ve handpicked 18 best hotels and lodges – 6 best luxury hotels and lodges, 6 best cheap hotels and lodges, and 6 best hostels in Arusha. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious hotel, affordable hotel or lodges, or a cheap hostel, Arusha is the best place for you to base. If you are planning to visit Arusha, here is a list of the 15 best hotels and lodges for you.
6 Best Luxury Accomodation in Arusha
Gran Melia Arusha, Mount Meru Hotel, Kibo Palace Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Arusha , Arusha Coffee Lodge, Fun Retreat Resort .
6 Best Mid-range Hotels in Arusha
Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa, Outpost Lodge, Green Mountain Hotel, Boulevard Inn Mt. Meru, Ilboru Safari Lodge, New Safari Hotel.
6 Best Hostels in Arusha
White House Tanzania, Wakawaka Hostel, Siret Hostel, Swahili Backpackers, Villa Poa Njiro, Shayo House Njiro, VHSO Hostel Njiro.
ARUSHA SAFARI FAQ
ARUSHA FAQ
Situated at the foot of the beautiful Mount Meru, Arusha is known as the safari capital of Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit. It’s a bustling city filled with an interesting mix of markets, chaotic traffic, old colonial buildings and modern conveniences, like coffee shops with WiFi, and an array of great restaurants.
Kibo Palace Hotel, Tulia Retreat Hotel and Spa, and Mount Meru Hotel got great room view-related reviews from travelers in Arusha.
On average, it costs $73 per night to book a 3-star hotel in Arusha for tonight. You’ll pay around $190 if you choose to stay in a 4-star hotel tonight, while a 5-star hotel in Arusha will cost around $168, on average (based on Booking.com prices).
How to Get Around Arusha
- #1. Public Transportation. The main mode of transportation in Arusha are the minibuses, commonly referred to as daladala. …
- #2. Taxi. Taxis are readily available and a trip within the city center should cost you TZS 5,000.
- #3. Private Car.
You can have a view of kilimanjaro but just the peak from some of the places in Arusha. If you need a better view from the base I would suggest you drive half way to moshi you will be having a satisfied view of the kilimanjaro mt.
ARUSHA SAFARI FAQ
On average, a Tanzania safari costs $ 200 USD per person per day. Midrange Price: is from $ 350 USD per person per day. Tanzania Luxury Safari Price is: from $ 600 USD per person per day.
It is not expernsive I would say, you decide how you want to do it, The two major factors that determine the price of Tanzania safaris are the type of safari you choose and the duration. Then there are a host of other Travel Cost Factors such as seasonality, destinations in Tanzania, your flights and visas, safari activities and a few often-forgotten extra costs
The best season to visit Tanzania is during the long dry season, which falls from July to September. These are considered the best months for safaris, the Great Migration, trekking, and beach holidays in Zanzibar. Of course, these months are peak travel season.
I usually advise at least 8 – 10 days to cover the Northern Circuit (Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti), if you want to visit other areas; Lake Victoria, Mahale Mountains, Ruaha, Selous, Zanzibar then you can keep adding as many days as you like.
YES! IT IS, with empirical evidence Tanzania is a safe place to rent a car. Many travellers have rented out cars in the country and have had no safety comprising situations and this is what is based on to say that Tanzania is safe to rent a vehicle and drive on your own.
“I have loved no part of the world like this and I have loved no women as I love you. You’re my human Africa. I love your smell as I love these smells. I love your dark bush as I love the bush here, you change with the light as this place does, so that one all the time is loving something different and yet the same. I want to spill myself out into you as I want to die here.”
Graham Greene (English writer and journalist)
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