Arusha

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Located in the northern highlands of Tanzania, beneath the twin peaks of Mt. Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha is the safari capital of the country.

This city is located on a plateau in the Great Rift Valley not far from the border with Kenya amidst the Serengeti Plain, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro National Park.

Guests embarking on the popular northern safari circuit all stop in the ‘Geneva of Africa’ to refresh and prepare for their journeys into the African bush. From the two-lane streets of Arusha, the dramatic crater of Mt. Meru towers over the town like a majestic sentinel, it is a crater strewn with thick clouds and its slopes dark with verdant forest.

Arusha is ideally located near the major national parks and its highland setting makes it a peaceful idyll of relaxation before the start of an exciting journey.

The town is alive with activity and Maasai warriors in full regalia walk the streets, mingling with tourists in crisp khakis, fresh off the plane from Europe or the United States. The curio markets crammed between the Clock Tower and India Road are filled with high quality crafts, and are a great deal cheaper than the purpose-built curio shops outside of town to which most tour guides take you.

For birders, anglers and primate lovers with a bit of time on their hands, Lake Duluti, on the Moshi road, is one of Arusha’s hidden gems. There’s a campsite and small, rudimentary pub, and it is a classic place to while away a lazy afternoon.

Arusha is also known for its vibrant night life, with outstanding local night clubs like, Colobus Club and the Blue Triple 'A'. Arusha is one of the most pleasant cities in the world; its exquisite location and beautiful countryside surrounding make it have a lively music scene.