Arusha Region capital, north of Tanzania, the city of Arusha boasts a population of 400,000 and a location adjacent to several outstanding safari regions – the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire National Park – as well as the picturesque Lake Natron.

Arusha’s altitude helps visitors to enjoy a mild temperature. Its airport is located west, and most of the houses we suggest are on the outskirts of Arusha, not too far from the airport. From which to taste as much or as little of city life as you like, Onsea House, Arusha Coffee Lodge, Lake Duluti Lodge, and many more offer a quiet base!

The city also lies on the southern slopes of Mount Meru, a dormant volcano, and the peak offers a quite magnificent background. Although we are pleased to offer longer stays here, we usually book Arusha for visitors merely traveling through to any of the safari areas.

Arusha’s History

Arusha’s history starts with Maasai from a tribe living south of Mount Kilimanjaro settling in the 1830s. Reaching its zenith in the 1860s on the expansion of the trade route through Pangani Valley, it became something of a trading center. Goods traded were honey, beer, cattle, and skins.

After the Germans captured Arusha in 1896 and established a military fort in 1900, their triumph was quite short lived since the British seized the city during the First World War. Years of growth followed, except for the Great Depression to seize hold until 1940. Still, the neighborhood saw more expansion throughout the Second World War years. The Arusha Declaration was signed in 1967; now the city hosts the intergovernmental East African Community. Its evolution has been very amazing!

Activities to engage in Arusha

Should you choose to live right in the middle of the city, there is much to keep busy. Among the attractions are the well-known clock tower, the Bishop’s Cathedral, the National Natural History Museum, and a smaller museum featuring Arusha Declaration related material. Visiting the Maasai Market will be well worth it since it has many curios and reminds one of the origins of the city as a commercial center. Visit the Cultural Heritage Centre, which also features an art gallery, for further handcrafts!

Great cafés and restaurants with local and international cuisine abound as well. Arusha specialties include ugali, a stiff maize, blended with beans, greens, and a robust meat sauce; nyama ndizi, a meat and banana soup, This city also enjoys grilling, ideally accompanied by chilled beer for wash-down. Another often used choice is fried potatoes topped with egg.

Arusha’s vibrant night scene is also well-known, particularly in the north-west residential area of Sekei. Apart from the Arusha Motor Sports Club, sports enthusiasts would be curious to know that the city has the home ground of the national rugby team and local football team.

Just contact our travel consultants for further information if you would want Arusha on your trip.