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Scenes From Arusha
Extraordinary African Safaris
The gateway to the Northern Circuit — a green, lively town beneath Mount Meru where almost every Tanzanian safari begins.
Arusha is the launch pad for Tanzania’s Northern Circuit — the town where Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Kilimanjaro trips are organised and where most safaris begin and end. It sits at around 1,400 metres in the green, fertile highlands beneath the dramatic cone of Mount Meru, with a mild climate that comes as a pleasant surprise to first-time visitors.
Busy and cosmopolitan, Arusha is a working town rather than a resort, home to the East African Community headquarters and a thriving safari industry. Most travellers spend a night here at either end of a trip, but there is plenty to fill a day: the bustling central market, the Cultural Heritage Centre and its galleries, coffee-farm tours on the slopes of Meru, and the Arusha Declaration Museum.
On the doorstep lie Arusha National Park and Mount Meru itself, easy add-ons for an extra day. Arusha is reached via Kilimanjaro International Airport, about 45 minutes away, making it the natural starting point for the whole northern safari and trekking region.
Arusha is reached via Kilimanjaro International Airport, about a 45-minute drive away, with onward connections to the safari parks by road or light aircraft from Arusha Airport. Most travellers spend a night at the start and end of a Northern Circuit safari. A day or two allows for the market, museums, coffee tours, and a visit to Arusha National Park.
We expected just an overnight stop, but Arusha’s coffee farms, market, and the view of Mount Meru made it a highlight in its own right. — Guest review, TripAdvisor
Clear, mild days and the peak safari season, with the parks at their best. The busiest and most reliable window.
Best overallWarm, bright weather between the rains — a fine time for safari and for the calving season on the southern Serengeti plains.
Best second windowBrief afternoon showers green the highlands. Quieter and good value, with festive-season departures.
Best for valueThe wettest stretch, lush and quiet, with the lowest rates. Showers are usually short but can be heavy.
Quietest months
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