Great Migration 16-Day Northern Tanzania Safari with Lake Natron & Lake Eyasi
Arusha (2) · Moshi (Kilimanjaro) (2) · Tarangire National Park (2) · Lake Manyara National Park (2) · Lake Natron (2) · +3 more
Explore Destination · Tanzania
Arusha
Arusha Tanzania: Arusha is the starting point for almost every northern Tanzania safari. The city sits at about 1,400 m beneath Mount Meru.
- CountryTanzania
- Best timeArusha is pleasant all year because of its altitude
- Trips17 sample trips
- Destinations nearbyArusha Town, Arusha National Park
Arusha Tanzania: what to know
Arusha is the starting point for almost every northern Tanzania safari. The city sits at about 1,400 m beneath Mount Meru, which at 4,566 m is Tanzania's second-highest mountain, and its altitude keeps it noticeably cooler than the coast. Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti are all reached by road from here.
What to know before you go
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Arriving in Arusha
International flights land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), about 50 km and an hour's drive east of town. The small Arusha Airport (ARK) on the western edge handles light-aircraft flights to the Serengeti, Zanzibar and the southern parks. Most itineraries include a first night in or near Arusha to recover from the flight before driving out.
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What to do with a day in Arusha
Arusha National Park is 45 minutes away and is one of the few places in the north where you can walk and canoe among wildlife: giraffe, buffalo, black-and-white colobus monkeys and the flamingos of the Momella lakes. In town, the central market and the Maasai craft market are good for an hour each, and the Cultural Heritage Centre has a serious collection of East African art. Coffee farms on the slopes of Meru run tours and lunches. Arusha is also the trading centre for tanzanite, mined only in the nearby Mererani hills.
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Mount Meru
The three- or four-day Meru climb starts inside Arusha National Park and is often used as acclimatisation before Kilimanjaro.
When to visit Arusha
Arusha is pleasant all year because of its altitude. June to October is dry and cool, with the clearest views of Mount Meru. The long rains fall from March to May and the short rains in November.
Where It Is
Arusha and the other places we travel to nearby.
Arusha
Trips that include Arusha
Sample itineraries. Every trip is private, so we change the days, lodges and pace to suit you.
Great Migration 
Luxury Safari 12-Day Luxury Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar
Arusha · Tarangire National Park (2) · Lake Manyara National Park · Ngorongoro Crater · Central Serengeti (2) · +2 more
Photography Safari 13-Day Photography Safari in Tanzania
Arusha · Tarangire National Park (2) · Lake Manyara National Park · Lake Eyasi · Ngorongoro Crater (2) · +3 more
Luxury Safari 8-Day Luxury Fly-In Safari: Manyara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti
Arusha · Lake Manyara National Park (2) · Karatu · Ngorongoro Crater · Central Serengeti (2)
Great Migration 11-Day Relaxed Tanzania Safari
Arusha (3) · Tarangire National Park (2) · Karatu · Ngorongoro Crater · Central Serengeti (3) · +1 more
Wildlife Safari 15-Day Tanzania & Zanzibar Holiday
Arusha (3) · Tarangire National Park · Central Serengeti (3) · Ngorongoro Crater (2) · Zanzibar (4) · +1 more
Wildlife Safari 7-Day Tanzania Safari: Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Arusha · Lake Manyara National Park · Central Serengeti (2) · Ngorongoro Crater (2) · Moshi (Kilimanjaro)
Honeymoon Safari 12-Day Tanzania & Zanzibar Honeymoon
Arusha · Tarangire National Park · Central Serengeti (2) · Ngorongoro Crater (2) · Zanzibar (4) · +1 more
Wildlife Safari 5-Day Tanzania Group Safari: Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Tarangire National Park · Central Serengeti (2) · Ngorongoro Crater · Arusha
Plan Your Safari to Arusha
Our team in Arusha answers in English, French, German and Spanish.
Questions about Arusha
Which airport do I fly into for a Tanzania safari?
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for the northern circuit. It is about an hour from Arusha and 45 minutes from Moshi. Arusha Airport (ARK) is used for domestic light-aircraft flights.
Do I need a night in Arusha before my safari?
It is strongly recommended. Most long-haul flights arrive in the evening, and a night in Arusha means you start the first game drive rested and allows for delayed luggage.
Is Arusha National Park worth visiting?
Yes, particularly for a first or last day. It is close to town, has good giraffe and colobus sightings, and offers walking and canoeing that the larger parks do not.
Shall we plan your trip?
Tell us your dates and what you would like to see. A specialist in Arusha sends a route and a clear proposal within 24 hours.
Plan this trip
