TZ · Arusha Region · 3.37°S 36.68°E

arusha

Coffee farms, Meru foothills and forest wildlife before Tanzania's northern safari circuit.

Best time
June–October is generally dry with cool mornings, and January–February is another good window. April–May is wet, and November brings short showers.
How long
2 days, before or after a safari
Getting there
Fly with one stop to Kilimanjaro airport, usually via Addis Ababa, Doha or Dubai, about 14–18 hours all in. Arusha is about an hour west by road. Tanzania is 5 hours behind KL.
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TZ · Arusha Regionarusha3.37°S 36.68°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Coffee farms, Meru foothills and forest wildlife before Tanzania's northern safari circuit.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingArushaTZ, Arusha Region
KLarusha
≈ 7,261 km from KL, as the crow flies
View of Arusha City in 2021, Arusha Region, Tanzania.

Photo: Halidtz · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Arusha is the starting point for Tanzania's northern safaris, at the foot of Mount Meru, and an extra day here is worth it. Coffee farms, markets and Arusha National Park make a gentler start than driving straight out after a long flight.

Makan

  1. Chips mayaiChips cooked into an omelette, a favourite quick meal.Map ↗
  2. Nyama chomaGrilled goat or beef with ugali and a chopped tomato and onion salad.Map ↗
  3. Meru coffeeGrown on the mountain's slopes, a good excuse for a café stop.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Arusha National ParkGiraffes, colobus monkeys, flamingo lakes and views of Mount Meru, an easy day trip.Map ↗
  2. Coffee farmSmallholdings on the lower slopes where you pick, roast and grind your own cup.Map ↗
  3. Central marketProduce, spices, fabric and everyday shopping in the busy town centre.Map ↗
  4. Meru foothillsGuided walks through farming villages and banana groves outside the city.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Arusha airport, for small safari planes, and Kilimanjaro International are different airports about an hour apart.
  • Halal restaurants are easy to find in town, and safari operators arrange halal meals readily.
  • Keep the arrival day free; the flight is long and immigration can be slow.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.