Top 10 things to do in Arusha

There's lots to see and do in Tanzania's safari "capital"!

Arusha, the vibrant gateway to Tanzania's northern safari circuit, is brimming with an array of engaging activities that offer a deep dive into the local culture, history, and natural beauty. Located in the shadow of Mount Meru, this stunningly scenic city is the point of access to some of the country's most celebrated safari destinations - the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and the Grumeti. But it's also worth exploring and indulging in some truly local flavour. Here are the top 10 things to do in Arusha...

1. A city tour of Arusha

Perfect for those wanting to experience the lively pulse of this bustling safari city, the adventure starts at the central market, where you can witness the vibrant trade in fresh produce, livestock like free-range chickens, goats, and sheep, and the colourful Maasai market, where Maasai women showcase their intricate beadwork. The Arusha History Museum offers fascinating insights into the town's ancient past and Tanzania's rich history, culminating in a delicious Swahili lunch that will leave you enchanted.


2. Materuni Village visit

For an immersive cultural experience, a visit to the Maasai Materuni Village is a must. This full-day or extended two-day visit begins with a trip to a local school supporting less advantaged children and orphans. Engage in volunteer activities such as painting desks, donating books, or serving lunch, before heading to Maasai land to experience a day in the life of this iconic East African tribe. 


3. Kikuletwa Hot Springs

A visit to the Kikuletwa Hot Springs provides a relaxing escape in the heart of the African savannah. Just a two-hour drive from Arusha, this oasis offers stunning views, crystal-clear waters, and lush vegetation. Perfect for a day trip, the hot springs promise a rejuvenating experience.


4. Coffee Tour

Coffee enthusiasts will love the Coffee Tour, where you get a hands-on understanding of coffee production from start to finish, including picking berries, processing, shelling, grinding, roasting, and brewing. Tanzanian peaberry coffee beans are globally cherished for their unique flavour and aroma. You'll also learn about Meru traditions surrounding coffee and have the chance to roast some beans to take home as a delightful gift.


5. Lake Duluti

For a tranquil escape, canoeing and bird-watching on Lake Duluti is a serene experience. This beautiful crater lake near Arusha is ideal for observing a variety of water birds. The diverse landscape of Lake Duluti and its surrounding forestry reserve also offers excellent opportunities for hiking and enjoying the natural beauty.


6. Maasai Cultural Museum

The Maasai Cultural Museum, located 25km west of Arusha, provides a deep dive into the rich traditions and customs of the Maasai tribe. This guided tour introduces visitors to the various stages of Maasai life and their unique societal structure, offering an unforgettable journey into the vibrant culture, history, and traditions of the Maasai people.


7. Horse riding

For those seeking adventure, Mount Meru Horse Riding at Ngare Sero Lodge is an unforgettable experience. Located at the foot of Mount Meru and surrounded by lush coffee plantations, this activity caters to both beginners and experienced riders. Choose between a one-hour ride around the lodge grounds or a two-hour adventure on the village trails, exploring the green hilly slopes of Mount Meru on horseback, guided by a personal guide for an enjoyable ride.


8. Cook up a storm

A culinary adventure awaits with a cooking class in Arusha. Dive into the local culinary scene with visits to local farms and vegetable gardens, followed by a trip to a local market. Under the guidance of a local expert, you'll select fresh ingredients and learn to prepare traditional African dishes, discovering how to present and enjoy these meals in the authentic African way.


9. "Kili" day hike

For those yearning to experience the majesty of Kilimanjaro without the commitment of a full ascent, a day hike exploring the Shira Plateau is perfect. This short ramble on the western side of Kilimanjaro National Park offers a taste of high altitude and breathtaking views, with a picnic lunch in the shadow of Kibo, the highest peak of Kilimanjaro.


10. Tee off in style

Golf enthusiasts will find a haven at the Kilimanjaro Golf & Wildlife Estate (Kiligolf), situated a swathe of prime African bushland between Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru. With views of the Maasai Steppe and the ancient Eastern Arc chain, including the Pare, Usambara, and Blue Mountains, this estate offers a championship golf course where visitors can enjoy 9 or 18 holes of golfing in a stunning setting.

The return of the rhino

December 9, 2025
The sight of a black rhinoceros moving silently through the bush is among the rarest and most thrilling moments on any East African safari. Once widespread across the region’s great plains, forests and highlands, both black and white rhinos suffered catastrophic declines in the 20th century due to relentless poaching.

On the trail of predators

December 9, 2025
The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem stands as one of the most iconic wildlife landscapes in the world, a sprawling expanse of savannah, riverine forest and kopjes that has shaped our understanding of Africa’s great predators.

On the trail of the painted wolf

November 20, 2025
Few animals embody the spirit of Africa’s wild places quite like the painted wolf (Lycaon pictus) also known as the African wild dog. Their mottled coats of black, brown, white and yellow create a living mosaic that is as unique as each individual.

Lakes of life

November 20, 2025
East Africa is famously associated with sweeping savannahs and spectacular wildlife migrations. Yet its landscape is also defined by a remarkable constellation of lakes, each a vital ecosystem offering unique wildlife.

Into the highlands

October 21, 2025
East Africa’s highlands are home to some of the continent’s most enchanting and least explored ecosystems: the Afro-montane forests. These dense, mist-shrouded landscapes stretch across Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, offering a world apart from the savanna plains below.

Kenya's elephant heartlands

October 21, 2025
If there is a single creature that embodies the spirit of East Africa’s wilderness, it is the elephant. Towering, intelligent and ancient, elephants shape the landscape they inhabit as surely as rain or fire. And nowhere is this quiet influence more profoundly felt than in Kenya's Chyulu Hills and Amboseli ecosystems.

A culture of tradition, identity and spirit

September 11, 2025
For many travellers to East Africa, the image of the Maasai warrior is as enduring as that of the wildebeest crossing the Mara River or the elephants roaming the Serengeti plains. The bright shúkà cloth, the beaded adornments, the slender frame of a herdsman striding the landscape.

A&H goes beyond the Big Five...

September 11, 2025
The phrase "East Africa" often conjures images of lions stalking the Serengeti, elephants crossing the Masai Mara, and leopards lounging in acacia shade. The Big Five remain the iconic drawcard for travellers – and rightly so – but the wild heart of East Africa offers far more than these familiar faces.

Our guides - the soul of an A&H safari

August 20, 2025
At Anderson & Harvey, we believe the soul of every unforgettable safari lies not only in the wildlife and landscapes but in the people who lead the experience - our expert guides. Across Tanzania’s northern circuit, our guiding team represents the highest standards of professionalism, knowledge, and respect for nature.

The changing face of safari

August 20, 2025
Over the past decade or so, safari accommodation in East Africa has evolved dramatically, reflecting changing traveller expectations, advances in sustainability, and a new vision for how we connect with the natural world - one that's based in authenticity and immersion. Let's find out more...