Arusha
Tanzania
- Arusha National Park
- Mount Meru
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Tarangire National Park
- Mount Kilimanjaro
About Arusha
Arusha sits at the foot of Mount Meru in northern Tanzania. It is known as the starting point of the northern safari circuit and hosts the headquarters of the East African Community.
With a cool highland climate, coffee farms and colourful markets, the city is the base for trips to Ngorongoro, Tarangire and the Serengeti and for Kilimanjaro climbs.
How many days do you need?
One day is enough for the city itself: the central market and cultural centres. Give a day to Arusha National Park, then plan a safari of several days through Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.
Where to stay
- City centre — Close to markets and bus stations; busy.
- Njiro — A quieter, mainly residential area.
- Around Usa River — East of the city, with garden lodges and coffee farms.
From the airport to the city
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) lies east of Arusha on the road to Moshi; take a transfer or a taxi into town. The small Arusha Airport (ARK), west of the city, handles domestic and safari flights.
Getting around
In town, use taxis, bajajs (three-wheelers) and dala-dalas, the shared minibuses. Safaris and park visits are usually made in guided vehicles.
Good to know
- Check Tanzania National Parks' current rules for park entry and permits.
- The long rains fall from March to May and the short rains in November and December; June to October is dry and popular for safaris.
- The official languages are Swahili and English. The currency is the Tanzanian shilling.
Useful links
- Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) tanzaniaparks.go.tz
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: May–August. The warmest month is February (average high 85 °F); the wettest is November (6.9 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 83.5 | 3.78 | Good |
| February | 84.7 | 3.57 | Good |
| March | 83.3 | 4.43 | Good |
| April | 79.2 | 6.76 | Good |
| May | 76.3 | 3.90 | Ideal |
| June | 75.7 | 1.15 | Ideal |
| July | 76.6 | 0.87 | Ideal |
| August | 79.0 | 1.70 | Ideal |
| September | 82.6 | 1.19 | Good |
| October | 84.4 | 2.43 | Good |
| November | 82.6 | 6.85 | Good |
| December | 81.9 | 5.83 | Good |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
More in this region
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- Zanzibar Revolution DayJanuary 2
- End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) *March 9 (2 days)
- Good FridayMarch 26
- Easter MondayMarch 29
- Karume DayApril 7
- Union DayApril 26
- Labour DayMay 1
- Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) *May 16
- Saba Saba DayJuly 7
- Nane Nane DayAugust 8
- Maulid Day *August 14
- Nyerere DayOctober 14
- Independence DayDecember 9
- Christmas DayDecember 25
- Christmas DayDecember 26
* Date follows the lunar calendar and may shift by a few days.
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyTanzanian Shilling (Sh)
- Dialling code+255
- Plugs & voltageType D, G · 230 V · 50 Hz
- Emergency112
- DrivingOn the left
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.