Arusha
Safari capital of East Africa — gateway to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Kilimanjaro
Arusha is the safari capital of East Africa - the gateway city for the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, and Tanzania's new Safari + Golf circuits. Set at 1,400 metres on the slopes of Mount Meru, the city enjoys a temperate climate, vibrant markets, and a growing collection of world-class hotels. For golfers, the Arusha Golf Course offers a pleasant warm-up round before the safari-led journey continues north. Gran Melia Arusha provides five-star accommodation in coffee-plantation gardens, while the city's restaurants serve increasingly sophisticated cuisine blending Tanzanian, Indian, and international influences.
Safari capital of East Africa — gateway to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Kilimanjaro
Best Time to Visit
Year-round. Arusha's highland climate is pleasant throughout the year with temperatures of 15-28 degrees Celsius. The short rains (November-December) and long rains (March-May) bring occasional afternoon showers but rarely disrupt travel plans.
What You'll See
Arusha National Park, just 30 minutes from the city centre, is home to giraffe, buffalo, colobus monkeys, flamingos, and over 400 bird species. Mount Meru (4, 566m) dominates the skyline and offers a challenging 3-4 day trek for those wanting to add altitude to their safari and golf journey.
Getting There
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is 50 km east of the city - approximately 45 minutes by road. Arusha Airport handles domestic flights to the Serengeti, Zanzibar, and other bush airstrips. Most Safari + Golf packages include airport-to-hotel transfers.
Arusha in Pictures
Where to Go in Arusha
Arusha National Park
A compact gem just 30 minutes from the city, offering walking safaris among giraffe and buffalo, canoe trips on the Momella Lakes, and views of both Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro. The perfect half-day excursion before or after a Safari + Golf journey.
Mount Meru
Africa's fifth-highest peak at 4,566 metres, offering a challenging 3-4 day trek through montane forest and alpine desert. Often used as an acclimatization climb before Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru provides a rewarding trek in its own right with summit views that stretch to Kilimanjaro on a clear day.
Safaris in Arusha
Serengeti & Ngorongoro Private Safari
7 Days
A 7-day private luxury safari through Tanzania's Serengeti plains and Ngorongoro Crater with exclusive lodge stays and dedicated guide.
$4,500 per person
Uganda Primates & Wilderness
7 Days
A 7-day luxury Uganda safari combining mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, and Queen Elizabeth NP wildlife.
$4,800 per person
Rwanda Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trek
5 Days
A 5-day luxury Rwanda experience combining mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey encounters, and Nyungwe Forest canopy walks.
$5,500 per person
Kenya Private Conservancy Safari
8 Days
An 8-day luxury Kenya safari through private conservancies — Ol Pejeta rhinos, Laikipia walking safaris, and Masai Mara's big cats.
$6,200 per person
Kruger to Indian Ocean
9 Days
A 9-day luxury journey from Big Five game drives in South Africa's Sabi Sands to the pristine Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique.
$7,500 per person
Great Migration Luxury Experience
10 Days
A 10-day luxury migration safari tracking two million wildebeest across Tanzania's Serengeti, with stays at Africa's finest tented camps.
$7,800 per person
Explore Other Destinations
Masai Mara National Reserve
Africa's most famous reserve — Great Migration river crossings, 850 lions, and the pioneering conservancy model.
Read Guide →Serengeti
Home to the only championship golf course inside a major national park — Par 72, 7,065m, wildlife on every hole
Read Guide →Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Trek to meet mountain gorilla families in 25,000-year-old UNESCO forest — Africa's ultimate wildlife encounter.
Read Guide →Volcanoes National Park
Africa's first national park — 604 mountain gorillas across the Virunga volcanoes where Dian Fossey made history.
Read Guide →Greater Kruger
25,000 km² of Big Five bushveld — world-class leopard sightings in the Sabi Sand and Africa's greatest wildlife reserve.
Read Guide →Okavango Delta
The world's largest inland delta — mokoro safaris, fly-in camps, and 22,000 km² of pristine Kalahari wetland.
Read Guide →Ready to Explore Arusha?
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