Arusha is home to Mount Meru, the second-highest mountain in Tanzania. Most travelers arrive in Arusha on their way to the famous destinations in the Northern Circuit.
Arusha is packed with a lot of unique things you can explore more than the famous activities. Are you interested in knowing them? Here I’m going to put together the best things you can do if you’re in or around Arusha. These are also the things that have always been mentioned by most travelers.
1. Visit the Cultural Heritage Centre
2. The Tanzanite Experience
3. Visit Shanga Foundation
4. Explore Arusha National Park
5. Visit Meserani Snake Park
6. Explore Ngorongoro Crater
7. Visit the Natural History Museum
8. Go for Street Food
9. Visit Olpopongi Maasai Cultural Village
10. Explore Lake Manyara National Park
For the remaining part of this article, I am going to share in detail the above-listed activities. So, keep reading to find out more. But first, let me share basic information with you on what Arusha is all about.
About Arusha
Arusha is a city in northeastern Tanzania and the capital of the Arusha Region. It’s located below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley. The weather is always calm and cool in Arusha.
Arusha is a major international diplomatic hub, and it hosts the East Africa Community. Arusha is also declared the capital city of the proposed East African Federation because of its significance to the whole of East Africa.
Are you having a day or few days in or around Arusha before or after your trekking or safari tour? I can recommend you spending some time exploring what this city can offer.
Now let us explore in detail the most exciting things you can do in or around Arusha.
1. Visit The Cultural Heritage Centre
The Arusha Cultural heritage center is a privately owned collection of shops and galleries. It has a unique collection of its kind in the world. The collection showcases arts from renowned artists around the African continent. It ranges from African antiques to contemporary paintings and scripture.
Also, this’s a place where you’ll see the past and present of the more than 120 tribes of Tanzania in one compound. Most travelers never miss spending time here. Some of the famous departments here you’ll see includes:
· The antique department
· Cinema room
· The day rooms
· Glass shop
· The Makonde museum
· The mask center
· One way, a shop for clothing, antiques, and other items
· The spice center
· A restaurant
You will find a lot of exciting activities to do here. This is a perfect place for you to see high-quality artifacts, photography, books, carvings, clothes, gemstones, and leather products.
You can sample or buy any of the items. The good thing is that the items are affordable.
Also, it’s exciting that you have the chance to see their talented jewelers and designers who work hard to create handmade jewelry.
You can even work with them if you like to create your own unique piece. If you love an item but you are worried about how to transport it, they will ship it to you.
Expect to spend at least half a day exploring here. If you feel hungry, their restaurant is nice, and the food is fresh and delicious. You can get Buffet or a la carte, with a selection of mouth-watering local and international dishes.
Do you love movies? Here you can watch movies as well just for a small fee in the cinema room. If you do pre-booking, you can have the option of tribal or wildlife documentaries.
The center among others has hosted the following World statesmen:
· King Harald, Queen Sonja, and Princess Martha Louise
· Thabo Mbeki and Zanele Mbeki
· Bill Clinton
· George W. Bush
· James Baker
So, this is a nice place you can visit when you’re in or around Arusha.
2. The Tanzanite Experience
Tanzanite experience is a nice shop selling Tanzanite. The shop has set up a little museum about the rare and precious gem which is unique to Tanzania. It’s believed that tanzanite is 1,000 times rarer than diamonds.
Visiting the Tanzanite experience will not only make you see these rare gems but also gives you the chance to learn their history. You will hear how the Tanzanite was first discovered, named, and mined.
By the way, the world-famous New York jewelers Tiffany and Co declared tanzanite as the most beautiful blue stone that was discovered 2,000 years ago and named Tanzanite.
Here you will also learn how these beautiful blue-violet gemstones are cut, polished, and graded.
To make your stay in Tanzania memorable, pick up a few certified pieces as gifts or souvenirs. There’s a nice boutique store. The boutique is full of a stunning display of these precious stones. The gems are of different sizes and quality and you will find a big price range to suit your budget.
Are you worried about how to transport them after you buy them? Don’t be. They can ship any item you pick to your destination.
I visited this place in 2017 for about two hours and loved everything. The staff here is very charming and caring. They guided me through the museum explaining everything. Then, I got coffee and it was nice as well.
In the end, I decided to pick three pieces as gifts for my two sisters and friends. I believe you can’t miss this place when you’re in Arusha or around. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
3. Visit Shanga Foundation
Shanga is a Swahili word for “bead”. The Shanga Foundation is a social enterprise that has employed people with disabilities to create unique products using recycled materials.
This’s a must-go place for most travelers who visit Arusha. Even Bill Clinton and the Clinton Foundation did not miss to pay a visit here.
The institution is based in Arusha and the heart of its message is “Be kind and recycle”. Their primary goal is to provide a safe, consistent, and loving environment for Tanzanians with disabilities who have so often faced terrible hardship in their lives. Here the focus is “ability over disability”.
The foundation has employed more than 60 people with a range of disabilities. They’re talented individuals making amazing products from discarded materials.
I suggest you take a guided tour through the workshop and learn to explore everything. Here you’ll have time to interact with them and get excited about their creativity and hard work.
Also, you will have the chance to learn more about their inspiring staff members who make Shanga so special.
And if you like, you can even make your own customized necklace here. It’s a nice experience you may want to test. It is truly impressive.
The products they make are of high quality and are sold in Tanzania and all over the world. The products include:
· Handmade jewelry
· Glass blowing
· Tinga tinga paintings
· Beading
· Paper
· Metal
After the tour, you can head to the shop which is showcasing all Shanga’s handmade products. Why not buy a unique product for yourself or gifts for your loved ones from here?
It’s interesting to know that for every item you buy here, the money goes back into developing opportunities. The intention is to employ more persons with disabilities and make a better future.
After you’re finished with Shanga products, there is a shop for coffee or tea nearby. Most travelers say the ginger drink is super here. Why shouldn’t you add this place to your list and enjoy it if you’re in or around Arusha?
4. Explore Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is situated at the base of Mount Meru, the second largest mountain in Tanzania. The park is less crowded making it a nice off-the-beaten track as compared to other parks.
Most travelers say that this park is unique because of its beautiful highlights including a massive extinct volcano and several scenic lakes.
My mother and friends decided to explore Arusha National Park after they visited Serengeti. They had three days in Arusha before leaving for the UK. A day trip to Arusha National Park is what left them amazed. They enjoyed a game drive around Momella Lakes and to Ngurdoto Crater.
Luckily, they went there on a clear morning and got to see the snow-capped Kilimanjaro in the background.
They were excited to see waterbucks displaying their horns between the lakeside of Momella and herds of grazing zebras. They were lucky to spot flocks of flamingos.
Few meters ahead they saw a giant giraffe crossing and so they decided to stop until she had passed.
Buffalo, elephants, and antelopes are easily spotted here. If you have time to explore expect to even see waterbuck and warthogs. You’ll also see the black-and-white colobus monkeys because this park is their home.
If you are lucky, you may encounter leopards because they’re rarely seen.
If you’re interested in birdwatching, here you’ll be amazed to spot a lot of bird species. About 400 bird species are recorded here including forest birds. My mother and friends said they spotted sacred ibis, white egrets, grey herons, and spur-winged goose.
Then, they headed to view the tracks in Ngurdoto crater where animals stay. They were allowed to get on the crater floor. After about 15 minutes they decided to explore inside the Ngurdoto Museum and see the collection of mammals, insects, and birds.
Most climbers start here to prepare or acclimate before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Trekking here takes you through grassland and lush rainforest while spotting wildlife, and onto the knife-edge crater rim via hill and nice landscape.
So, if you are in Arusha and looking at what to do, Arusha National Park offers an unforgettable experience.
5. Visit Meserani Snake Park
Like its name, Meserani snake park is a zoo in Arusha with a collection of snakes and other reptiles. The park is home to different species of snakes common in Eastern and Southern Africa. The place is famous and one of the favorite tourist destinations in Arusha.
This is a nice place where you can learn about Africa’s lee’s famous but most efficient predators.
You will see snakes such as Black Mamba, Black and Red Cobras, the Africa Python, and various spices. You can hold a real live snake and feel excited.
It’s estimated that you can closely spot about 48 different snakes here. See other reptiles like Lizards and Crocodiles. You can touch a baby crocodile or feed baboons but just be careful.
Most travelers enjoy holding wild Tortoises and birds. Mostly these birds are those which have been orphaned or injured and would not survive if they are returned to the wild.
The park also offers other exciting activities to visitors including the Maasai cultural tour. If you like you can take a personal guided tour to the Maasai Museum with a Maasai warrior.
The guide will take you through and explain their traditions and lifestyle. Learn how they build their bomas, do circumcision, and their family structures.
The good thing here is that all proceeds from the museum go for Snake park medical clinic and other community development projects. The park offers a free medical health clinic that provides care for locals with over 1000 patients per month.
Have you ever ridden a camel? Here you will find a camel to ride if you want. It’s a short but interesting camel ride you’ll need to do.
After the ride, you can go to the Maasai Craft Market. Here you can see traditional Maasai huts. It’s lovely to watch talented Maasai women creating beautiful Maasai jewelry. I suggest you buy some jewelry as gifts for your loved ones.
No visitor leaves this place without dressing up as a Maasai warrior. It’s a nice experience to wear Maasai blankets and shields and spears everyone wants to do here.
Everything you see here is the perfect of its kind.
If you want to relax here after all your activities, it’s ok. They have a fully equipped campsite and a nice bar. The service providers are charming and caring, the environment is lovely.
So, if you’re in Arusha or around, this’s a nice place you need to go.
6. Explore Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. It’s 2,000 – foot – deep and 12 – miles – wide. It is said that it was taller than nearby Kilimanjaro before it collapsed.
The crater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here is perhaps one of the rare places on earth where you’ll find humans live alongside wildlife.
Ngorongoro crater is the home to more than 45,000 wildlife living peacefully inside the confines of the gigantic caldera. The wildlife has lived here for over three million years. Here you can easily spot the Big Five and rare black rhino.
The crater consists of the highest lion density in Africa. I can almost guarantee you and your beloved one to spot one of the three lions’ pride.
The crater is popularly known for its best scenic landscapes for photographic opportunities. You’ll be amazed to see Lake Magadi which is coloured by flamingos.
Whether you’re taking a guided game walking or game drive, they’re all perfect here. Pass by the Ol Doinyo Lengai ‘the Mountain of God’ through the Great Rift Valley walls.
Then, your guide will lead to a cool swim in waterfall pools by the shores of Lake Natron.
On the way, take a break at the nomadic Maasai villages. This’s another place where you’ll be excited to witness a different kind of civilization.
And when you get there, you will be tempted to dress in traditional Maasai clothes.
That traditional style of clothing is exceptional such that you cannot miss it when you get there.
Be excited to see Maasai warriors making a fire while putting on performances and jumping in the air while singing with their majestic sounds.
Here you will have the chance to learn about the traditional dress, living conditions in the compounds, the spear, and the superior combat training of Maasai.
Also, learn about their sense of living alongside wildlife with their cattle, goats, and sheep.
Finally, soak in the sunsets and relax from your lodge after the game activities. See beautiful plants, listen to the amazing sounds of birds, and breathe fresh air.
So, are you in Arusha and asking what to do? Ngorongoro crater is worth exploring.
7. Visit The Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is a museum that showcases the natural history, wildlife, culture, and artifacts of Tanzania.
The museum is housed inside what was the old German military outpost.
The Natural History Museum was mainly established to house, curate, and research Tanzanian components of historical collections from different parts of Tanzania that had been housed in the National Museum of Kenya.
Here you’ll have the chance to explore human evolution and fossil discoveries in Tanzania and other parts of the world.
The Laetoli Footprints are a major highlight of the museum.
Other exciting things you will see are insects of fiscal importance and the ecology of large mammals.
There is also a taxidermist unit and exhibition with a focus on professional skinning and mounting of wildlife species. See live rescued wildlife here.
Explore in a botanical garden featuring a small display of endemic, endangered, and useful indigenous plants, birds, animals of Tanzania, and fishpond.
Also, learn about the history of German colonialism in Northern Tanzania.
If you are interested in cultural tourism, here you’ll find programs in collaboration with the community.
There is also a shop where most travelers buy souvenirs to take back home.
After you are finished with the museum, you may wish to enjoy the delicious food at the Museum Cultural Café and Restaurant.
If you’re looking for what to do in Arusha, this’s a place you must go.
8. Go For Street Food
Going for street food is the best way to taste delicious local and Swahili cuisine when you are in Arusha.
Mostly, street food has the flavor of its kind. More interestingly is that street food is also pretty light on the pocket.
The most enjoyable meal here is the so-called “Nyama Choma” simply Roasted meat. Trust me, most travelers never leave Arusha without tasting it.
You’ll be excited to see how it is prepared locally by skillful experts. The common and highly recommended place is “Kwa Mrombo”.
If you arrive there during the afternoon hours, you will be excited to see people flocking to enjoy the Nyama Choma. The meat is well prepared and served hot.
My mother and friends went to this place in October 2019 with their local guide. She told me about the place and asked me not to miss it when I get to Arusha. The meat was good, tasty, and cheap.
But what are the other common delicious street foods you can try here? Here I’ve put together the list of street food that you can try when you’re in Arusha:
· Chips Mayai
· Mishikaki
· Pilau
· Ugali Nyama Choma
· Wali Samaki
· Wali Maharage
Are you asking yourself where you can go for street food? Arusha is commonly known for hosting nice places where someone can find nice local dishes.
· Eat Wild Restaurant
· Five Chutneys
· Khan’s BBQ
· Lilac Café
· Café Kabisa
· Tembo Club
· Moshono Lounge
· Orlando Garden
There are many other places where you can try Tanzania’s delicious food in Arusha. If you take your guide and walk through the streets, you’ll encounter a lot of nice street food.
Another famous and classic place to have local and international flavor is the Pic-Nic Bar. The food here is super. It’s served fresh and well cooked. You can’t miss drinks here, be it local or international beers.
9. Visit Olpopongi Maasai Cultural Village
Olpopongi Maasai Cultural Village is the first authentic Maasai Boma with Maasai Museum and accommodation. The museum showcases different artifacts of Maasai’s everyday use.
This village was built by Maasai women and men from Tinga Tinga using local materials.
This place is one of the favorite places for most tourists around Arusha. While you’re in the village, you’ll have the chance to get a better understanding of Maasai life and culture.
Here you’ll be amazed to see Maasai people who still live very primitively, completely different from your way of life.
The most interesting thing here is that the money you pay goes to support Maasai families.
The local Maasai families are supported by water, food, employment, income, medical services, and education services.
You’ll also find the unique handmade Maasai jewelry on sale. They are created by the local Maasai women of other nearby villages.
Then, you’ll go on a walking safari to learn about Maasai hunting techniques and natural medicines. All the tours and safaris here are performed by experienced Maasai guides.
For more adventures, you can spend a night in an exciting Maasai Boma and explore Maasai ceremonies. If you stay the night, you will have the chance to enjoy the local delicious dinner around the fire.
The Boma here is built considering your hygienic comfort and satisfaction. They have exterior washrooms and a kitchen.
10. Explore Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is one of the smaller parks in Tanzania but offers a nice landscape. The park supports one of the highest biomass densities of large mammals in the world.
This park is what was once described by Ernest Hemingway as “The Loveliest I have seen in Africa”.
If you love to watch birds, this park is perfect for you. More than 400 bird species are hosted here. No doubt that you’ll spot a lot of them. Some of the birds you can see are flamingos, blacksmith plovers, herons, and little egrets.
I can almost guarantee that you expect to see elephants, zebras, wildebeests, and giraffes.
Large herds of wildebeest, zebras, and buffaloes like to gather on the open flood plain from where they graze to watch out for predators.
Also, if you are lucky, you can spot a leopard. This Park is home to a large population of leopards, but sightings are rare because the vegetation is thick.
Lake Manyara National Park is commonly known for its “tree climbing” lions. Most travelers visit this park to see these iconic predators lounging in the trees.
You can encounter troops of up to 150 olive baboons playing in the forest. Also, hippos and bushbucks are easily spotted here.
Whether you do game driving, canoe safari, cultural tour, mountain biking, abseiling, or forest walk, this park is highly recommended.
Then, after you are really tired in the pack, head to the hot spring called Maji Moto. It’s a natural spring surrounded by palm and fig trees. Maji Moto is a perfect place to swim and have a picnic lunch.
So, exploring Lake Manyara National Park when you’re in Arusha is something you can do.
Conclusion
You’ll find more than 50 things to do in or around Arusha. But the best ones must come first to your list. So, that is the reason why I’ve just shared the most exciting and fun ones.
It’s ok that you can’t try it all but what you can do now is combine some of the activities. Choose to do activities that suit your interest and the nature of your trip.