Arusha city is one of the most visited cities in Tanzania, it is a popular tourism destination strategically located neartop visited national conservation areas along the northern part of the country. Arusha is placed in the shadow of Mountain Meru, which makes it outstanding and lush green most of the year. There are mixed tribes of people in the town centres who speak Swahili, Arabic, English, and a few Indians. Arusha city has been nicknamed the “Safari City” It is a starting point for most tourism activities along the northern circuit. It has much faster access to the Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Lake Natron, Ngorongoro conservation area, and the Tarangire National Park. it is also faster to get to the Masai Mara conservation area.
Tourist activities in Arusha city include visiting the Arusha National Park, the conservation area is not as popular as the Serengeti National Park, but with spectacular views of the surrounding environments from the rolling hills of mountain Meru, craterlakes of Momella and Ngurdoto to the wildlife of the park, the conservation area is best viewed on game drives these are conducted through the running trails in the park, expect to see animal species for example giraffes, zebras, warthogs, shy red duikers, blue monkeys, Kirks dik-dik, black and white colobus monkeys to mention a few. The national park is a perfect spot to go birding there are over 400 species of birds that have been recorded here, for example, the Egyptian goose, great crested grebe, little grebe, Narina trogon, and red-fronted parrot among others.
Visit the Masai cultural village, the region will teach you so much about Tanzania’s cultures, these live in the northern part of Tanzania and are soaked within their cultural aspects, it is unique that guests will have an opportunity to learn about their culture, their day to day living, the tribe is pastoralspending most of their time moving from one place to another in search of pastures, the Masai present their strong cultures through dance and traditional songs.
Experience the archaeological findings in the Arusha National Museum the findings placed here are mostly archaeological findings, this was officially opened to the general public and offers a special dedication for Africa’s great findings on mankind, these discoveries are fetched from the Oldvai Gorge, besides the fossils, there are old pictures of the German colonial government, and the history of the city, there are wildlife pictures, birds and insects.
Visit the reptile park at the MeseraniSnake Park, the park is situated approximately 25 kilometres from Arusha, it is strategically located en route to the Ngorongoro conservation area, this is an ideal place to quickly go for a day trip while in Arusha city,except to meet several reptiles like the puff adder cobras and black mambas,the tours at the park are led by a Masai guide.
In conclusion, the best time to go to Arusha city is during the dry season although it can be visited any time of the year. There is available accommodation in the town with facilities ranging from the best budget to luxury.