January 15, 2026
Things to Do in Arusha, Tanzania
Arusha is best known as the gateway to the northern safari circuit, but the city and its surroundings are worth a few days on their own.
Most visitors pass through Arusha on their way to the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, but the city and its surroundings reward a slower look — especially if you're already staying in the area before or after a safari.
Arusha National Park
A short drive from the city, Arusha National Park sits in the shadow of Mount Meru and offers walking safaris, canoeing on the Momella Lakes, and reliable giraffe and buffalo sightings — a gentler introduction to safari than the bigger parks further west.
Mount Meru
Tanzania's second-highest peak rises just outside the city and is climbable over several days for travellers with time to spare, or simply admired from a balcony on a clear morning.
Cultural Heritage Centre
The Cultural Heritage Centre combines a large art and craft gallery with a museum of Tanzanian history — a good stop for gifts and a feel for the region's craft traditions.
Coffee Tours
The slopes around Arusha are coffee country. Half-day coffee tours cover the growing, roasting, and cupping process on working farms close to the city.
Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC)
For business travellers, the AICC anchors the city's conference and NGO activity and is a useful landmark for orienting the rest of Arusha around it.