ARUSHA

Located in the lush foothills of Mount Meru, Arusha is a great place to acclimate and prepare for your journey to Tanzania’s northern parks.

Sprawling green coffee fields, Africa’s fourth-highest peak, and bustling markets make up the backdrop of this transit stop, which serves as a gateway to Tanzania’s diverse and amazing safari destinations.

Many of Arusha’s accommodations are tucked away in the lush tropical gardens of coffee farms. These retreats are a perfect place to sit by the pool, sip locally grown Tanzanian coffee, and let Africa begin to settle into your soul before your safari adventure.

Seasons

Arusha experiences a warm, temperate climate year round. February is typically the warmest month of the year, when temperatures reach the mid-80s. Arusha experiences two rainy seasons. The short rainy season lasts from November to December, and the heavy rainy season lasts from March until May. November’s rains occur at the end of a prolonged dry season and bring intermittent light showers. Hazy skies become clear and blue with the cleansing rains.

Wildlife

Arusha National Park is a safe haven for a diverse population of wildlife, supported by its varied vegetation. This small national park is home to the 14,980-foot-high peak, Mount Meru, and other spectacular landscapes. It also offers beautiful bird-watching opportunities. The lakes and marshes create a perfect habitat for water birds, while large raptors live in the forested mountain slopes. Although there are no lions in the park, its forests are home to elephants, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, and smaller species such as warthogs, blue monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys.

Activities

Embark on a coffee tour and take a walk around a working coffee farm. Learn how beans are grown, harvested, dried, and produced into the aromatic coffee that we enjoy.
Take a trip to the Maasai Market in Arusha where you can shop for paintings, sculptures, and other various crafts made by local Tanzanians.
Visit Arusha’s Museum of Natural History to learn more about the country’s flora and fauna, rich history, and unique geography.
Take a day trip to nearby Arusha National Park. Drive through the shaded montane forest and enjoy its beautiful scenery and wildlife.