Tanzania is one of the most popular countries in Africa, known for its attractive tourist destinations. When most people think about Tanzania serengeti tours, the first things that come to their mind are popular destinations such as the Serengeti National Park and Zanzibar Island.

However, many other beautiful places in Tanzania are yet to be discovered. One such place is Arusha, a bustling city in Tanzania, Africa, that usually serves as the starting point for the Serengeti Ngorongoro safari. Most people hardly stay in Arusha for a night or two. But if you have time and want to unveil some underrated places, you must stay in Arusha, at least for a few days.

The metropolitan gateway of Tanzania, Arusha, is locally known as ‘A-Town’ and ‘The Green City’. It has a charm of its own, as it is a great place to experience Tanzanian life. As the tourism hub in Tanzania, the wide assortment of activities in Arusha makes it a must-visit place in Tanzania. From wildlife and nature to shopping sprees and tons of thrilling Arusha Tanzania safari adventures, here is a breakdown of all you need to know about things to do in Arusha!

Visit Arusha National Park for Game Drives and Hiking Trails

A trip to Arusha National Park is undoubtedly one of the most popular things to do in Arusha. This park is a beautiful destination where you will find plenty of interesting wildlife around the park.

For example, you might see elephants, zebras, hippos, buffalo, etc. But the biggest drawing card is not the wildlife, but the scenery. That is because Arusha Park is also the home to the second highest peak in Tanzania, Mount Meru.

Climb Mount Meru- The Second Highest Peak in Tanzania 

Since Arusha lies at the base of Mount Meru, you cannot miss this challenging yet rewarding hike. Although it is a bit smaller than Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Arusha.

The climb usually takes around 3-4 days, and you will surely get the opportunity to witness the wonderful natural scenery and wildlife of Arusha. Plus, enough time to acclimatize. Moreover, when the skies are clear, you will also get incredible views of Mount Kilimanjaro, which sits 50 miles away.

Visit The Meserani Snake Park

Most visitors on Arusha day tours visit Meserani Snake Park as it is a popular tourist attraction. It is only 25 km away from a town that features a wide variety of snakes, including cobras, Puff adders, pythons, vipers, etc, and other reptiles like lizards, turtles and crocodiles.

The park is located just outside of Arusha town. Besides a reptile house, here you will find an overland truck workshop, raucous bar, cultural museum and Massai market. Visiting this park will allow you to learn about the different types of snakes found in Tanzania.

Explore A UNESCO World Heritage Site- The Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is not only a UNESCO World Heritage site but also one of the most popular destinations in Tanzania for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Being home to diverse wildlife such as lions, elephants, rhinos and leopards, Ngorongoro Crater allows visitors to explore the mesmerizing natural scenery and magnificent wildlife of the crater.

Experience The Serengeti National Park Safari 

Serengeti National Park is one of the most popular destinations in Africa for adventurous wildlife safaris. No Arusha day trip itinerary is complete without a visit to this park, which is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes and more.

A Serengeti National Park safari will surely offer you a unique opportunity to witness one of the world’s most amazing natural events- The Great Wildebeest Migration.

Go Canoeing On Lake Momella

Inside the Arusha National Park is Lake Momella, where you will get to see the park’s famous flamingos. This lake is a great place to take a canoe safari. Usually, a canoe safari in Lake Momella is included in your Tanzania Serengeti tours safari package.

Take A Hot Air Balloon Ride Over the Serengeti

The best way to enjoy a unique perspective of the landscape and wildlife is to take a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti. Enjoy seeing the endless golden savannahs from a completely different vantage point, get a bird’s eye view of the panoramic landscapes and see animals running here and there below from exciting hot air balloon rides made just for you!

Final thoughts 

Most people who book Tanzania Serengeti tours often forget to make room for the lively cities. However, if you want to enjoy your Tanzania safari vacation to the fullest, you should not fall victim to this trend.

Consider adding some space for the Arusha tour in your Tanzania safari packages due to its wide assortment of fun, enriching, thrilling and unique experiences in Arusha. The above blog also proves that Arusha is not merely a starting point for Serengeti Ngorongoro safari and has all the qualities of people-pleaser day trips.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1- How many days are enough to explore Arusha?

Ans. Although the city is not that huge, there are many things here that will keep you going for at least 3 to 4 days. Simply put, 3 to 4 days are enough to explore the wonderful city of Arusha and get the authentic taste of Tanzania.

Q2- Where to stay in Arusha?

Ans. If you decide to stay in Arusha, you will find many lodges and hotels with killer views and nice restaurants in the city center. However, since all the activities and fun things to do in the city are spread out, where you stay really does not matter much.

Q3- Are there any good places to shop in Arusha?

Ans. Yes! There are many local markets in Arusha like Kilombero and Maasai Market that are tightly packed with food and clothing stalls. These markets have narrow gateways, and you will find people selling something or the other at every turn.

Besides this, the Arusha Cultural Heritage Center is like a shoppers’ paradise. From beautiful paintings and wooden carved safari animals to jewelry and clothing, you will find everything here.