ARUSHA

SEE ALL ARUSHA TRIPS

INTRO
THINGS TO DO
TOP FESTIVALS
TOP MUSEUMS
FOOD & DRINKS

TRAVEL IN ARUSHA

Tanzania’s northern region of Arusha is home to the country’s third largest city, known as a multicultural and international African hub. It is the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Meru, making it a popular destination for gung-ho travellers seeking experiences in Tanzania’s great outdoors. Within the city of Arusha you can waltz through local markets like the Cultural Heritage craft mall, Kilombero Market or Soko Kuu, and have meaningful shopping experiences at the Maasai Women Fair Trade Centre, which supports over 5,000 entrepreneurial women, using profits to ensure adequate education for their children. The city is referred to as ‘the centre of Africa,’ with a famous clock tower making the halfway point between Cairo and Cape Town. From here you can explore the energetic nightlife offered within Arusha’s central hub, attempting to compete with the serious dancefloor talent and deep sense of rhythm of so many local people. Though the population of Arusha is less than half a million, there are many museums on offer here. Visit the Maasai Market Curios and Crafts, National Natural History Museum, and German Boma, finishing by admiring the immense beauty of the country’s national stone at the Tanzanite Experience. Each day you can salute the sun to cuts of nyama choma barbecued meats and sips of Kilimanjaro Premium Lager - a trip here is scarcely complete without sampling the country’s brew. Prepare your mind, body and soul for an enriching travel experience, this Tanzanian country will leave you wanting to see so much more of this incredible continent.

FAST FACTS
Language: Swahili, English
Currency: Tanzanian shilling
Electricity: 220V
Visas: Click here to see if you need a visa to enter Tanzania.
Dialling Code: +255
Time Zone: (GMT+03:00)

ABOUT CONTIKI
From quick breaks to epic journeys, Contiki exists to connect young travellers with the time of their lives.
See more about Contiki

Explore the local markets

From artistic maps of local national parks to beaded jewellery and exotic coloured homewares, the local markets in Arusha could entertain a full week of your itinerary. For a stint of barter-free shopping visit the Cultural Heritage craft mall, or for a more chaotic setting and varied selection venture to Kilombero Market or Soko Kuu. A great way do indulge your inner-shopaholic under the guise of supporting the local economy, the local markets will be found in every Arusha guide.
Visit Maasai Women Fair Trade Centre

Developed as a tourist destination that promotes an awareness of human rights issues, visiting the Maasai Women Fair Trade Centre means more than picking up a pair of leather sandals or traditional beaded jewellery. A not-for-profit organisation established in 2000 by three determined Maasai women, the Maasai Women Development Organisation supports female entrepreneurs across Tanzania, with over 5,000 women signed up as members. Every purchase made supports these women and pays for the education of their children, making it one of the most important things to do in Arusha.
Visit Meserani Snake Park

Electric green reptiles and piercing snake eyes will haunt your dreams for weeks after a trip to the Meserani Snake Park. Located about 30-minutes drive from the centre of Arusha Tanzania, the Snake Park does more than just present travellers with slimy creatures, also boasting a health clinic that is free for locals and treats over 1,000 patients per month. If snakes aren’t your favourite animal you can opt to enjoy a camel ride instead, or simply stay inside wandering around the park’s adjoining Maasai Cultural Museum.
Stand in the centre of Africa - by the Clock Tower circle

Supposedly marking the halfway point between Cairo and Cape Town, the famous Clock Tower of Arusha is a pride of the country. Found on a grassy roundabout in the middle of the city, it is adjacent to the Safari Casino and a short stroll from the Tanzanite Experience Museum and the Maasai Market Curios and Crafts, meaning you are likely to admire it many times during a visit to Arusha. Standing since the 1950’s it is one of the oldest landmarks in the city, bearing witness to the country’s difficult past.
Go drinking and dancing Arusha-style

Grab your travel tribe and prepare a few choreographed dance moves; stepping into the nightlife of Arusha requires some serious dance-floor talent and a deep sense of rhythm. Though the streets of this city might appear dusty and at times quiet, the few clubs on offer see the hours of the night come alive with music and dance. Catch live music at Mjengoni Club, professional dancers at Dar Es Salaam, and live fire shows at Via Via.

Things to do in Arusha

Wanyambo Festival
Culture
Dive into the vibrant culture of Tanzania at Wanyambo Festival, held every year in January in the coastal town of Dar es Salaam. Music, food, dance and costume come to life in spectacular fashion, making this an event worth timing your trip with.
Unification Day
Culture
Much like Zanzibar Revolution Day of January 12th, Unification Day holds great significance for the people of Tanzania and Zanzibar, the spice islands that have caused great conflict through the 1900’s. A national holiday, you can expect official parades, music and the appearance of many government officials.
Arusha African Film Festival
Film
Arusha African Film Festival takes viewers on a journey through some of the most important socio-cultural issues of the continent via the power of film. Usually held for a week in September, it is an important event for the African film industry.

Top 3 Festivals in Arusha

An Arusha guide might not present a great number of festivals in this country, but what they do offer abounds in enough culture to satisfy the most discerning traveller. African films, traditional dance and vivid costumes are just some of what can be expected from this enriching line-up of festivals.

National Natural History Museum
Found in a white miniature castle style building from the German colonial era, the National Natural History Museum is a must visit when in Arusha. The exhibitions have been divided into 3 sections of the building, all take a vivid and insightful look at the incredible unearthings of Tanzania, a country which played a vital role in piecing together the story of human evolution.
Maasai Market Curios and Crafts
The Maasai Market Curios and Crafts offers an up-close look at the immense artistic creativity of this country. Admire exquisite beadwork, antique wood carved statues, and elaborate fabrics, and unlike a traditional museum you can buy things to take home.
German Boma
Step inside the walls of an old German home and take in the immeasurable historical significance of the country of Tanzania. Old black and white photographs, archeological findings and taxidermy animals are just some of what you will find here.
Tanzanite Experience
Take in the unfathomable hues of royal blue in the gemstone of tanzanite, found nowhere else in the world apart from the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. The only gallery in the world that stands in dedication to this rare and precious stone, which holds 585 million years of history within it, the Tanzanite Experience should be on your Arusha to do list.

Top 4 Museums and Galleries in Arusha

The museums of Arusha nod to the dense culture of this country, celebrating their national gemstone, tradition housing, and remarkable archaeological discoveries. You’ll soon discover museum hopping is an essential element of Arusha travel.

Nyama Choma
Almost as fun to eat as it is to pronounce, nyama choma is a hallmark of family celebrations in Tanzania and Kenya. Though the name refers to many varieties or roast meat, it’s most commonly goat, best eaten with your hands and washed down with a chilled beer.

_{Best eaten at
Khan's Barbeque, Mosque Street}
Kilimanjaro Premium Lager
Speaking of chilled beer, a trip to Tanzania is scarcely complete without a sip or two of their national pale lager, Kilimanjaro Premium. Said to be made with ingredients grown on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, it pairs perfectly with many of the country’s most beloved dishes, abounding in spices and chunks of meat.

_{Best eaten at
any supermarket}
Ugali
Though ugali itself is a fairly bland, doughy item, when used as a base for other dishes it offers an easy fill up and makes a meal complete. Commonly used to dip into saucy curries or as a side for salads, it would be hard to venture to this part of the world without trying at least one ugali.

_{Best eaten at
Fifi’s restaurant, Themi Road, Next To Tanesco}

Food in Arusha

Carnivores will get their culinary kicks in Arusha, a city where indulging in roasted meats washed down with beer can be an everyday staple. Dive into hearty curries lapped up with doughy breads - using your hands to eat will make you feel more at home here.

Other trips you might like

16% OFF

Taste of Tanzania

6 Days

From

£2,504

£2,981

12% OFF

East Africa Safari

11 Days

From

£4,305

£4,906

SEE ALL TRIPS

5 Reasons to Travel with us

More Choice More Time 18-35 Only Better Experiences Unbeatable Value

© Copyright 2025 Contiki. All Rights Reserved. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is a trademark of The TreadRight Foundation, registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions, and is being used under license.
Contiki Holidays Limited, Travel House, Rue du Manoir St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2JH, Reg No: 50681

Privacy & Cookie Policy

Booking Conditions

Sitemap