Arusha City Tour

Arusha serves as a gateway to the northern safari circuit of Tanzania, and is therefore a pretty frequently visited place. However, a lot of people just skip this city and head straight to their final destinations. I suggest you take at least a day to see what this wonderful city has to offer, if you have extra time on your hands.

Here are a few things to do or places to visit on your Arusha city tour:

Take a coffee tour

Tanzania is one of the top coffee producers in Africa and its coffee is a must try if you’re a coffee lover. Many coffee shops will let you have a tour of their coffee farms just outside the city, from where you can see the fresh coffee beans transform into a cup full of freshness and well, caffeine!

Africafe and Café Barrista are excellent coffee shops that offer fresh coffee and great ambience. You can also get free WiFi over here!

Head over to Tanzanite Experience!

At the Tanzanite Experience, you’ll find jewelry made of the unique Tanzanite gem. The Tanzanite gem is mined and processed locally and if you’re interested, the salesmen will give you a virtual tour of the entire process. Get some jewelry for yourself or your significant other!

Go souvenir shopping!

The Masai Market is an excellent place for souvenir shopping because it has something to offer for almost everyone! Whether you’re looking for antique hand-crafted pieces or fabric, you’ll find it all over there. While you’re there, don’t forget to bargain and get a good price so that you can truly experience local Tanzanian shopping!

You can also check out the Masai Women Fair Trade Center and buy some of the hand-crafted products from there and support the local women at the same time!

Enjoy food from the local cuisine!

The most famous restaurants of Arusha, namely Fifi’s Restaurant and Café, The Blue Heron Restaurant and Khan’s Barbecue are a must visit if you’re looking for delicious food!

While you’re in Arusha, you might also want to visit nearby destinations that are slightly out of the city but are definitely worth the visit. Here are some places that will keep you entertained:

Visit the Meserani Snake Park

The Meserani Snake Park is at a 40-minute drive from the Clock Tower Roundabout of Arusha. It’s an interesting place to visit, especially if you’re interested in reptiles! You’ll get to see crocodiles, alligators, different species of snakes as well as turtles and other non-reptiles like camels!

Chemka Hot Springs

These hot springs are at a 1.5-hour drive away from Arusha. If you’re looking for an escape from the busy streets of Arusha, then head over to these hot springs and enjoy the relaxing experience of dipping your feet in the warm water.

Arusha National Park

This amazing park isn’t populated unlike the other parks in the country, which is why you can enjoy your time here peacefully! You’ll be able to sight leopards, buffaloes, zebras and lots of giraffes!

So, what are you waiting for? Head over to Arusha and enjoy a tour of the city! While you’re at it, you might also want to check out why a safari in Tanzania is perfect for solo travelers!