brown mountain under blue sky during daytime

Arusha

Arusha is the usual starting point for safaris in northern Tanzania and for climbs on Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.

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Arusha is a city in northern Tanzania on the lower slopes of Mount Meru, at about 1,400 meters (4,600 feet). It is the usual base for the northern safari circuit. Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater are a few hours away by road, and the Serengeti is farther, usually reached by a long drive or a short flight. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, lies to the east near the Kenya border, and climbers often pass through Arusha to register and organize their trek.

The city itself is a practical stop, with markets, Tanzanian restaurants, hotels, lodges and tour operators. Many travelers stay a night or two at the start or end of a safari or climb. The dry season, June to October, is the most popular time for game viewing, when animals gather around water. Plan at least a few days for the parks near the city, and longer if you are combining a safari with a climb.

Arusha in five

Book a licensed safari operatorAsk for the operator's licence and whether park entry fees are in the price. Non-resident park fees are usually billed separately from the tour, so compare quotes on the same basis.Tours and tickets
Carry Tanzanian shillings in small notesSmall shilling notes cover markets, boda-boda rides and tips in Arusha. Torn or large notes can be refused, so keep the bills clean and in small denominations.
Arrange the airport transfer before landingKilimanjaro International Airport is about an hour's drive from Arusha. Book the transfer before you fly, since a driver waiting at arrivals is the simplest way into town.Getting around
Ask before photographing peopleAsk first and agree a fee if a Maasai family or market trader is in the frame. Do not photograph inside homes.
Pack a warm layer for dawn drivesArusha sits at about 1,400 meters, and dawn game drives in open vehicles are cold even in the dry season. A fleece and a windproof jacket make the first hours comfortable.Clothing

Things to do in Arusha

See all attractions in Arusha

a herd of zebra standing on top of a lush green field

Sight · ArushaMeserani Snake Park

Museum · ArushaNational Natural History Museum-ARUSHA

an aerial view of a large building in a city

Museum · ArushaArusha Declaration Museum

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ArushaPut the places you like in Arusha on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
Entry: Visa or e-visa for many passports; check your nationality before you fly Read more
Emergency: 112 for police, fire or ambulance
Tipping: About 10% in restaurants if no service charge; tip guides and drivers
Time: UTC+3, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh30°Low19°Hot, green
FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°Warm, dry
MarchRain17 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°Long rains
AprilRain28 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Long rains
MayRain22 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Rains ending
JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Dry, cool nights
JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Dry, busy
AugustClear10 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°Dry, busy
SeptemberClear9 rainy daysHigh29°Low16°Dry, clear
OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh30°Low18°Dry, hot
NovemberRain18 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Short rains
DecemberRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Short rains, busy

Average daily high and low in Arusha, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Arusha

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 12°
Humidity: 86%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 51%

Arusha

03:03 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+3

Today27°17°51%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 51%.
Wed28°16°20%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 20%.
Thu28°18°24%Thursday: Fog. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 24%.
Fri28°16°4%Friday: Fog. High 28°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 4%.
Sat28°16°12%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 12%.
Sun28°16°18%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 18%.
Mon28°18°25%Monday: Fog. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 25%.

Updated 01:21 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 2,635 TZS

Amount

Converted to

TZS · Tanzanian Shilling

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Arusha National Parkabout 30 to 60 min by roadForest, crater lake and giraffes, close enough for a half day.
Lake Manyara National Parkabout 1.5 to 2 hours by roadTree-climbing lions and flamingos on the lake shore.
Tarangire National Parkabout 2 to 3 hours by roadLarge elephant herds and baobab trees, best in the dry season.

Before you go to Arusha

eSIM for TanzaniaMaps and offline tickets on the roadRead the guide

Travel insurance for safariCover for road transfers and park tripsRead the guide

Money and cards in TanzaniaShillings, cash and card limitsRead the guide

Tours and park ticketsLicensed operators and park feesRead the guide

Rules for Arusha, checked

Check entry rules with Tanzania Immigration before you book, since visa needs depend on your passport.Source
Tanzania bans most plastic bags, and officers check luggage on arrival. Leave bags at home or pack them in your checked luggage.
Drones need a permit in Tanzania, and national parks restrict them. Ask your operator before you fly one.
Travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever need a vaccination certificate. Check the rule with your doctor before you fly.

Plan around Arusha

All of Tanzania

Regions, parks, entry rules and money for a Tanzania trip

Read the guide Getting around

Airport transfers, buses and car hire for the Arusha area

Read the guide Visas and entry

Which passports need a visa and how to apply

Read the guide Where to stay

Lodges and hotels for a safari base or a short stay

Read the guide Money and costs

Shillings, cash, cards and typical daily prices

Read the guide Tours and tickets

Booking safaris and park entry the right way

Read the guide

Arusha FAQ

Is Arusha worth visiting?

Yes if you are going on safari, since Arusha is a common base for trips to northern Tanzania. Stay one or two nights to sort permits, buy supplies and start early. Its own sights are limited.

How do you get from Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha?

By road, in about an hour, with a pre-booked transfer or a taxi from the airport. Agree the fare before you get in, or ask your lodge to send a driver.

Is Arusha a good base for safaris?

Yes, because most northern parks are reachable from here by road. Tarangire and Lake Manyara are day drives, while Serengeti and Ngorongoro take longer and often need a second night.

How many days do you need in Arusha?

One night if you are passing through to a safari. Two or three if you want Arusha National Park, a day to rest after the flight, or time to organize a tour.

When is the best time to visit Arusha?

June to October is the dry season, with clear skies and easier wildlife viewing. The long rains from March to May and the short rains in November and December make tracks muddy.