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On your arrival in northern Tanzania, we recommend spending 1 or 2 nights in the suburbs of Arusha to unwind but also to give you an opportunity to experience the rich historical and cultural heritage of this diverse city. The town is located at the base of Mount Meru offering endless vistas of this iconic highland, as well as the roof of Africa -- Mount Kilimanjaro.
Sightseeing Arusha during your safari holiday in East Africa gives you the opportunity to experience the rich historical attractions and cultural heritage of the city. Whether you want to learn about the earliest signs of mankind, learn about the city’s history or interact with the local peoples, there are many ways to enjoy your exploratory trip in Arusha. The Clock Tower in Arusha sits at the halfway point between Cairo and Cape Town. Today, the tower marks the central business district of the city. The tower was built by a Greek resident and is the oldest landmark in the city. You may also choose from several cultural tourism programs around or close to Arusha to learn about the local peoples. These full-day tours takes you to the best places to visit the local villages where you will learn about farming, craftsmanship, family structures, traditions and much more. From Arusha, your northern Tanzanian tour of Serengeti and Ngorongoro may include Olduvai Gorge and Laetoli, a prime paleoanthropological site, where one of the oldest hominid fossil bones, tools and footprints were found by varied archaeologists including the Leakeys’. The Museum of Natural History in Arusha is a good place to start and features many photo exhibits of the digs, as well as other print relics from Tanzania’s history.
Tanzanite, a blue-purple gemstone, is not only spectacular, but it is also rare. The stone is only found in Tanzania, and the Tanzanite Experience Store is where you may interest yourself and learn all about the mining and properties of the gemstone. The Maasai Market, Central Market and Tinga Tinga shops in Arusha display the craftsmanship and artwork of the native peoples of Tanzania. You may buy souvenirs for yourself or gifts for friends and family back home. The Shanga Shangaa Project is a local community program that helps Tanzanians who struggle with disabilities to learn new skills and gain confidence in their abilities. Your discerning tour of Arusha with AfricanMecca may include a visit to this valuable and heart-touching program. The Meserani Snake Park may be a fascinating part of your nature travels in Africa. Located approximately 15 miles from the city of Arusha, the park offers guided tours and activities to learn about the snakes of Tanzania. Playing a round of golf at the 18-hole Kilimanjaro Golf and Wildlife Estate is another option of sport touring in Arusha. Go explore the grasslands, swamps, crater lakes, and highland forests of Arusha National Park; here, you will see varied terrestrial, aquatic and avian fauna, from flamingos to hippos, buffalos, giraffes, zebras and many more. You can also canoe here with the option of staying at Hatari Lodge for the overnight.