8 Interesting Things to do in Arusha
8 Interesting Things to do in Arusha: Arusha town is located in northern Tanzania at the base of Mount Meru which is the second highest mountain in the country. It’s the most visited city in Tanzania by tourists because it acts as a gateway for day trips to northern safari circuit destinations such as Arusha national park, Mount Kilimanjaro which is the highest peak in Africa, Ngorongoro conservation area, Lake Manyara national park, Serengeti national park where you will have spectacular views of wildlife including the big five mammals which are the lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephant and rhinos, other animals like wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, impalas, cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles, hippos, different bird species among others.
Arusha city tour: During your visit in Arusha you can go on a tour around city with an experienced guide who will take you to various areas, answer relevant questions and help you in translating in case you want to buy something. You will be able to tour around Sokoni market where they sell handcraft items including traditional clothes, art work among others, the iconic clock tower which is the city’s main roundabout, visit Arusha museum, Arusha city bus terminal where transport to all regions of Tanzania and other countries are organized, Uhuru monument which symbolizes freedom of the people of Tanzania and while at this place your guide will tell you about the history of T Tanzania, central market which supplies all foodstuffs like vegetables, fruits, spices for the city dwellers among others.
Visiting Meserani snake park: Meserani Snake Park is located 25km west of Arusha city on the way to Serengeti national park and Ngorongoro conservation area. the snake park is a home of over 48 snakes which are common in eastern and southern Africa, reptiles like crocodiles, chameleons, monitor lizards and it provides various activities such as education tours where visitors will be able to learn or hold some of the most dangerous snakes in the world such as black mamba, Egyptian cobra, puff adder, green mamba, guided tours through the Maasai cultural museum, take a Camal ride to the Maasai village where you will meet the local people, their way of living, traditional homesteads among others.
Shopping in Arusha: Arusha has a number of shopping centers which sell amazing items for tourists to take home after the safari in Tanzania such as Shanga enterprise which sells handicraft items made by Tanzanians with disabilities for example drinking glasses made with recycled colored glass, woven cotton shawls, decorative metal objects among others, Gohils store which sells peanuts, honey, cashews, dried fruits like mangoes, spices such as clove powder, turmeric, Sidai designs where Masai women make and sell fashion jewelry like bead bracelets, Schwari collectibles where they sell stylish home clothings and goods such as beaded candle holders, lampshades made of cowhides, wooden footstools with patterned fabrics, hand-woven table linens, modern Tingatinga art gallery which sells unique handmade paintings that are made on canvas, wood or mottled watercolor paper.
Cultural tours: This is an amazing activity where you will be able to visit Mulala and Nkoranga villages located at the slopes of Mount Meru the second highest mountain in Tanzania. The cultural villages are found near Arusha national park and it takes about 45 minutes to one hour from Arusha town. During the cultural tour you will be accompanied by a local guide who is well conversant with routes in the villages and this will help you interact with the Meru people, learn about their way of living, visit their homesteads, farmlands where they grow bananas, coffee, beans, cassava and rare cattle, walk through the coffee plantation where you will learn about different steps of coffee growing, how coffee beans are peaked and roasted, grounded and packed, visit the bee keeping projects, taste the local honey, taste local dishes, visit the cheese making factory, enjoy traditional songs from agape women, buy craft items, visit the local schools, health centers among others.
Enjoy great food: There are many restaurants in Arusha town where you can taste variety of great food during your safari for example the Blue Heron which is one of the popular restaurants in the city that offers breakfast, garden lunch, candle lit dinner and has a menu with a wide selection of wood fired pizza, fresh salad bar, hearty soups, homemade Italian pastas, succulent and Shawarma steaks , Khans Barbecue which is located in the mosque street city centre in Arusha and offers tasty food like chicken fries, salads among others, Fifis restaurant and café which is located in Mjini Arusha and has a nice place for breakfast with great coffee and freshly cooked muffins, excellent ambience, free wifi, Chinese Whispers which is one of the best restaurants in Arusha that serves mainly Chinese dishes such as dim sum, Africafe which is located near the clock tower and also an excellent place for a burger, variety of milk shakes, Le Patio which offers local and international dishes , a serving bar that offers delicious cocktails, a luxuriant garden where you can relax and enjoy fresh air among others.
Hiking Mount Meru: Mount Meru is the second highest mountain that is located in Arusha national park Tanzania, the mountain stands at an elevation of 4,566meters high and hiking is a great experience for visitors who prefer less crowded places. During hiking you will be accompanied by an armed park ranger who will help you to spot different animals like elephants, buffaloes, giraffes on the lower slopes, bird species and when you reach at the summit you will have great views of mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru crater.
Visit Serengeti national park: Serengeti national park is the oldest and the most visited protected area located in northern Tanzania. The national park is famously known for the annual wildebeest migration where millions of wildebeests, gazelles, zebras and other antelopes cross the Grumeti River to Masai Mara national park in Kenya. Serengeti national park is located about 4 hours drive from Arusha town, therefore, visitors who go for a visit will engage in different activities such as game drives, guided nature walks where you will have spectacular views of wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, wild dogs, hyenas, crocodiles, different bird species among others.
Day trips from Arusha: Arusha town acts as a gateway for exciting day trips to various national parks in Tanzania such as Ngorongoro conservation area where you will have spectacular views of the Ngorongoro crater and big five mammals, Arusha national park where you will participate in amazing activities like game drives, canoeing on Momella lake, birding, guided nature walks and lake Manyara national park which offers birding, game drive and boat safari activities.
Arusha is a great place to visit for tourists who want to explore the city, do some shopping, taste different local and international dishes, learn about the unique culture and go on day trips to different national parks in the northern circuit. For bookings and more information, you can contact Focus East Africa Tours.