Arusha travel guide
Tanzania
A busy, green market town at the foot of Mount Meru and the usual starting point for safaris in northern Tanzania. Give it a day or two beyond the safari offices and it shows a lively, ordinary side.
Essentials
- Language
- Swahili and English; English is widely used in the tourism trade
- Currency
- Tanzanian shilling (TZS); US dollars are often quoted for safaris and park fees
- Plugs
- Type D and G, 230 V
- Emergency number
- 112 for police, 114 for fire, 115 for ambulance
- Tipping
- Around 10% in restaurants is appreciated, and tipping safari guides, cooks and porters is a firm custom.
Rough daily budget
Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:
- Backpacker: $35-60, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
- Mid-range: $90-160, with a private room and restaurant meals.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Where to stay in Arusha
- Clock Tower area: the central crossroads, close to banks, the central market, tour offices and cafés.
- Njiro: a quieter residential district south-east of the centre with guesthouses and local bars.
- Usa River: a leafy small town about 20 km east on the road to Kilimanjaro airport, with lodges and coffee farms.
Getting around Arusha
Dala-dala minibuses cover the main roads cheaply, while bajaji (three-wheelers) and taxis are easier with luggage or after dark. Agree the fare before you set off, as most rides are not metered.
Best time to visit Arusha
June to October, the long dry season, is best for safaris, with a second dry window from late December to February.
Top things to do in Arusha
- Wander the central market for spices, fabric and fresh fruit
- Take a walking safari or a canoe on the Momella Lakes in Arusha National Park
- Join a coffee farm tour on the lower slopes of Mount Meru
- Browse the Maasai craft market, and bargain politely
- Walk around Lake Duluti, a small crater lake just east of town
What to eat in Arusha
- Nyama choma: meat, usually goat or beef, grilled slowly over charcoal
- Ugali: a stiff maize porridge eaten by hand with stews and greens
- Chipsi mayai: chips cooked into an omelette, a cheap street favourite
- Mshikaki: skewers of marinated beef grilled at roadside stalls in the evening
Day trips from Arusha
- Arusha National Park: giraffes, buffalo and colobus monkeys beneath Mount Meru, under an hour by road
- Tarangire National Park: baobabs and large elephant herds, roughly two to three hours by road
- Materuni waterfalls near Moshi: a tall falls and village coffee tours, around two hours each way
Local etiquette
Greetings matter, so say hello before asking anything, and use your right hand to give or take. Ask before photographing people, especially Maasai, and dress modestly away from lodges.
Staying connected
SIM cards from the main networks are sold in town and at the airport but must be registered with your passport and fingerprints, and Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés.
Staying safe
Pickpocketing and bag snatching happen in the centre and around the bus stands, so carry little and take a taxi after dark. Pushy safari touts are common; decline firmly and deal only with established operators.
A local tip
Book safaris and climbs through an office you have checked in advance, not through the touts who approach you on the street.
Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.
Meet people in Arusha on Waypacker
Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Arusha for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Arusha, you could be one of the first hosts.
Questions about Arusha
- What currency is used in Arusha?
- Arusha uses the Tanzanian shilling (TZS); US dollars are often quoted for safaris and park fees.
- What is the emergency number in Arusha?
- In Arusha, call 112 for police, 114 for fire, 115 for ambulance.
- When is the best time to visit Arusha?
- June to October, the long dry season, is best for safaris, with a second dry window from late December to February.
- How much does a day in Arusha cost?
- Roughly $35-60 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $90-160 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
- Is Waypacker free to use in Arusha?
- Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
- Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?
- Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
- Can I meet locals in Arusha without staying with anyone?
- Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
- Will anyone see my exact location?
- No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.