Arusha City Tour

Arusha is a multicultural and vibrant city in northern Tanzania, renowned as the country’s “safari capital”. Situated at the base of Mount Meru and located near Mount Kilimanjaro, it serves as the main gateway to Africa’s most iconic national parks, including the Serengeti, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro Crater. Arusha is also an important diplomatic center, hosting the headquarters of the East African Community (EAC).

The city is home to over 600,000 people, and the economy is heavily dependent on tourism, with approximately 800,000 visitors passing through the city annually. Most tourists use Arusha as a staging point for safaris in the nearby national parks, or for trekking Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.

Arusha’s fertile, volcanic soil along the slopes of Mount Meru supports a strong agricultural sector, where they grow coffee, bananas, flowers, and vegetables, much of which is exported to Europe. The city’s lively markets are a core part of its cultural life. The Maasai Market is famous for its vibrant beadwork, crafts, and textiles, while the Central Market offers a wide array of fresh produce and spices.

The greater Arusha area is also the only source in the world of the rare gemstone known as tanzanite, which is a major contributor to the country’s economy.

NOTE: For all day trip itineraries, it is necessary to already be in Arusha City, our starting point, on the morning of departure. It is not possible to do excursions on the same day as your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), regardless of arrival time, due to the time required for arrivals and transfers.