Most northern Tanzania safaris start in Arusha, and many travellers arrive a day early. That spare day is precious. Long-haul flights, a change in altitude — Arusha sits at about 1,400 metres — and a run of early starts add up quickly. Here are the best things to do in Arusha on your first day, in roughly the order we would do them ourselves.
Short version: rest in the morning, do one gentle outing, check your kit and go to bed early. The animals will still be there tomorrow. They are very reliable like that.
Morning: recover first, explore second
Resist the urge to see everything at once. Have a late breakfast, drink more water than you think you need, and give yourself an hour by the pool. On a clear morning Mount Meru appears above the trees — your first look at the landscape you are about to spend a week driving through.
If you arrived overnight, a short nap before lunch is not laziness. It is safari strategy.
The best things to do in Arusha in an afternoon
Pick one or two of these. Arusha is friendly, but it is not a city to rush.
Walk a coffee farm on the slopes of Meru
The volcanic soil around Arusha grows excellent arabica coffee. A farm tour takes you from cherry to cup — picking, pulping, roasting over a fire and, the important part, tasting. Ask our reception to arrange one; it takes about half a day.
Visit the Cultural Heritage Centre
Part gallery, part enormous craft shop, the Cultural Heritage Centre on the western edge of town is the easiest place to see Tanzanian art, carvings, textiles and jewellery under one roof. Prices are fixed, so it is a good spot for souvenirs if you dislike bargaining.
Browse the Maasai market and the Clock Tower area
If you do enjoy a friendly negotiation, the curio market near the city centre is the place for beaded jewellery, kangas and wooden animals of every size. Start at around half the asking price and keep smiling. Nearby you will find the Clock Tower and the Old German Boma, which now houses the Natural History Museum.
Canoe or walk around Lake Duluti
Lake Duluti is a small crater lake east of town, ringed by forest and full of birdlife. A gentle walk around the shore or a paddle across it is the perfect “soft” activity on a jet-lagged day — and on a clear afternoon you can see Mount Meru reflected in the water.
Cycle the farmland around Burka
Guests at A1 can borrow free bicycles from reception. The quiet roads around Burka and Olasiti pass maize fields, small farms and children who will race you and win. Go in the late afternoon, when the light turns golden and the air cools down.
Late afternoon: the safari kit check
This is the least glamorous of the things to do in Arusha, and the one that saves the most holidays. Lay everything out and check it:
- Layers. Mornings on the Ngorongoro Crater rim are genuinely cold. Afternoons in Tarangire are genuinely hot. You need both.
- Neutral colours. Khaki, olive and beige. Avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies.
- Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. The equatorial sun does not care how cloudy it looks.
- Binoculars, spare batteries and a dust cover for your camera.
- Small notes in Tanzanian shillings for tips, markets and roadside snacks.
- Your passport, park permits and safari voucher in one easy-to-find place.
Forgot something? Arusha has shops for most of it, and our reception can point you in the right direction. For an overview of the parks you are about to visit, the Tanzania Tourist Board is a good official starting point.
Evening: dinner and an early night
Order dinner early and ask the kitchen to prepare a packed breakfast if your driver collects you before sunrise. At our restaurant you will find African dishes alongside Italian, Chinese and continental cooking, and the bar will happily serve you one cold drink. One. Your 06:00 alarm is watching.
If you have more than one spare day
Lucky you. Add a day trip to Arusha National Park — giraffes, colobus monkeys and the Momella lakes, less than an hour and a half away — or head east to the waterfalls and coffee villages on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. Our experiences page lists more ideas, and the tour desk can book any of them.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arusha worth a day before a safari?
Yes. A buffer day lets you recover from your flight, adjust to the altitude and check your kit, and Arusha has enough gentle activities to fill an afternoon without tiring you out.
What are the best things to do in Arusha in one day?
A coffee farm tour, the Cultural Heritage Centre, the curio market, a walk or canoe on Lake Duluti, or a bicycle ride through the countryside. Pick one or two and keep the evening free for packing.
Is Arusha safe for tourists?
Arusha is generally welcoming to visitors. Use normal city sense: keep valuables out of sight, use registered taxis or hotel transport at night, and ask your hotel about any area you are unsure of.
Where can I change money in Arusha?
Banks and bureaux de change are concentrated in the city centre, and ATMs are widely available. Hotels accept cards, but carry small shilling notes for markets and tips.
Want your first day in Arusha to start by a pool rather than in traffic? See our rooms or send us your dates.
