Things to do in Arusha
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Top 10 attractions in Arusha
Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is located in northern Tanzania at the foot of Mount Meru. It was formerly known as Ngurdoto Crater National Park, established in 1960, and was renamed after Mount Meru was incorporated in 1967. The park concentrates three distinct views: Ngurdoto Crater and its surrounding rainforest, the Momella Lakes, and Mount Meru, which stands at an altitude of over 4,500 m. On clear days, you can also see the snow-capped peak of Mt Kilimanjaro from within the park. A major highlight here is that you can explore both on land and on water: there are few large predators like lions in the park, so visitors can hike through the rainforest and savanna with a guide to look for black-and-white colobus monkeys leaping through the canopy, or go canoeing on the Momella Lakes to observe hippos and flamingos from the water; buffaloes are commonly seen on the marshy grasslands below the crater, while giraffes and zebras are active across the savanna. Those with plenty of energy can challenge themselves to climb Mount Meru; reaching the summit usually takes several days, and along the way, you will experience a complete change in view from rainforest to alpine moorland.Arumeru · 22.7 km from Arusha
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is an iconic nature reserve in Tanzania, famous for its vast tropical savanna landscapes and large wildlife populations. The park is home to a variety of large animals, including wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, lions, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes. The natural phenomenon known as the Great Migration takes place here all year round. Millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles follow the fresh pastures brought by the rainy season, migrating in a clockwise cycle between the southern plains of Serengeti National Park, the Western Corridor, and the northernMara River. The migration stretches for dozens of km, creating a spectacular scene. At the beginning of each year, wildebeest herds gather in the southern plains to calve, with hundreds of thousands of calves born in a short period. Afterward, the herds move northwest, facing ambushes by crocodiles when crossing the Grumeti River in the Western Corridor. The herds continue north to stage even more spectacular river crossings along theMara River, then turn back south to complete the annual cycle. The park covers a vast area, with distinct landscapes and animal distributions in different regions. The central Seronera area has a high density of animals year-round; the southern plains have open terrain and are the core area for the calving season; the Western Corridor features an interweaving of rivers and woodlands; and the northernMara Riverbasin is famous for its river crossing views. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to observe wildlife behaviors such as lion prides hunting, cheetahs chasing prey, and elephants wandering at close range.Tanzania · Serengeti
Mt Kilimanjaro
Mt Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa, with an elevation of approx. 5,900 m. Located in northeastern Tanzania, it consists of three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, with Uhuru Peak on the Kibo cone being the highest point. This dormant volcano rises from the plains of Eastern Africa and is known as the "Roof of Africa." The mountain features distinct climatic zones from base to summit—tropical rainforest, cloud forest, heath and moorland, alpine desert, and the snow-capped arctic zone—offering climbers a journey through diverse natural landscapes. The mountain is home to alpine plants unique to Kilimanjaro, such as the giant groundsels, while animals like chameleons and warthogs are occasionally spotted in the forests. There are seven climbing routes open to mountaineers, each with its own characteristics. The Marangu route, also known as the "Coca-Cola route," is a historic classic and the only route with hut accommodation, making it suitable for beginners. The Machame route, or "Whiskey route," is renowned for its diverse scenery; it is slightly more challenging but popular due to its good pace for altitude acclimatization. The Lemosho route starts from the west side of the mountain and offers beautiful, less crowded scenery, making it suitable for those with more time. Each route typically takes several days to complete, and altitude acclimatization is the key factor for a successful summit. The summit ice cap includes the Rebmann Glacier, Furtwängler Glacier, and others. The presence of year-round ice and snow near the equator creates a unique natural landscape. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the ice cap area has shrunk significantly.Rombo · 82.7 km from Arusha
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater is located in northern Tanzania and is one of the best-preserved large, intact volcanic craters, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The crater is approx. 19 km in diameter and is surrounded by steep walls hundreds of meters high, with the bottom forming a self-contained, closed ecosystem that is home to approx. 25,000 large wild animals year-round. It is one of the places in Africa to see the "Big Five"—lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and African buffaloes. The crater has a high density of lion prides and is also a region in Tanzania for viewing the endangered black rhino. Old bull elephants with huge tusks are often seen in the Lerai Forest, and leopards also prefer to roam in these woods. Lake Magadi in the southwest of the crater is a shallow alkaline lake; during the wet season, flocks of flamingos gather here, with the pink birds contrasting against the white alkaline lake surface. Unlike most African savanna reserves, giraffes and impalas do not live on the crater floor, which gives the animal community within the crater a unique composition. Descending to the crater floor in the early morning, animals are more active in the cool morning light. However, the crater rim is at an altitude of over 2,000 m, and there is a significant temperature difference between day and night. It feels quite cold on the crater floor in the early morning, so it is recommended to bring warm clothing.Tanzania · Ngorongoro
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is a classic safari destination in northern Tanzania, named after the Tarangire River that runs through the park. The river flows year-round. During the dry season, as water sources in the surrounding grasslands dry up, herds of wildlife gather along the riverbanks, making it easier to encounter animals coming to drink during game drives along the river. The park is famous for its large elephant herds and baobab tree landscapes. Herds of elephants wandering among the sturdy baobab trees create an iconic African savanna scene. Sometimes you can even see lions resting on tree branches or African rock pythons coiled in the trees. In addition to elephants, animals such as giraffes, elands, zebras, wildebeests, and olive baboons are also frequently seen in the grass and woodlands. This is also a favorite spot for birdwatchers, with hundreds of bird species such as ostriches and secretary birds inhabiting the area, adding many surprises to your safari.Tanzania · Babati
Safari Bike Africa
Arusha · 5.5 km from downtown
Chief Ndaskoi Botanical Garden
Arusha · 4.8 km from downtown
Mount Meru Waterfall
Arumeru · 11.2 km from Arusha
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located in northern Tanzania, a vast protected area that combines volcanic landscapes, dense wildlife, and the nomadic lifestyle of the Maasai people in one place. About 2 million years ago, a massive volcano in the area erupted violently and collapsed inward, leaving behind a huge crater nearly 20 km in diameter and about 600 m deep. The crater contains meadows, swamps, springs, woodlands, and a saltwater lake, forming a nearly self-contained ecosystem, which is why it is often called the "African Eden." Tens of thousands of large animals inhabit the crater floor year-round: wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles move in herds across the meadows, elephant herds are accustomed to roaming around the Lerai Forest, and lion prides, leopards, hyenas, and jackals prowl the area. With the addition of buffaloes and the rare black rhino, a single game drive offers the chance to see the "Big Five." During the dry season, water sources shrink, and animals gather around springs and swamps, making it the golden time for viewing and photography. When the water in Lake Magadi is shallow, thousands of flamingos turn the lake surface pink, a scene that photographers often wait to capture.Tanzania · Ngorongoro
Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma
Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma is located in the Ikoma Wildlife Management Area on the western edge of the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania, adjacent to the border of Serengeti National Park and connecting to the Grumeti Game Reserve, serving as a gateway for wildlife viewing in the Serengeti. One side of the camp is near the Grumeti River, where water sources attract animals year-round. Zebras, antelopes, elephants, and giraffes often pass by the tents. You can take an open-top safari vehicle deep into the savanna for a chance to encounter lions and leopards. During the migration season, herds of wildebeests and zebras pass through this area, creating a particularly spectacular scene. Game drives are the core activity, with animals being more active in the early morning and evening, increasing the chances of spotting large animals. Since it is located outside the national park boundary, you can also experience night game drives, which are not permitted within the park, to feel the completely different atmosphere of the savanna at night. In addition, there are guided walking safaris, as well as hot air balloon tours that take off in the early morning to overlook the Serengeti savanna.Tanzania · Mugumu
Experiences you can't miss in Arusha
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Free things to do in Arusha
Arusha National Park
Arumeru · 22.7 km from ArushaSerengeti National Park
Tanzania · SerengetiMt Kilimanjaro
Rombo · 82.7 km from ArushaNgorongoro Crater
Tanzania · NgorongoroTarangire National Park
Tanzania · BabatiSafari Bike Africa
Arusha · 5.5 km from downtownChief Ndaskoi Botanical Garden
Arusha · 4.8 km from downtownMount Meru Waterfall
Arumeru · 11.2 km from ArushaNgorongoro Conservation Area
Tanzania · NgorongoroAfrica Safari Serengeti Ikoma
Tanzania · Mugumu
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What travelers say about Arusha
M32***2311 June 2020
5.0
We were in Nairobi for two days and had already done the elephant orphanage and giraffe centre visits so thought this would be more interesting. So at the outset don't expect a big park like the Masai Mara which is not surprising as it is on the outskirts of Nairobi although it is not a small park in its own right and you can spend 4-5 hours driving around. We did see lions which was the highlight plus some giraffes and zebras so it was a great afternoon.
Arusha National Park
长脸张少侠18 February 2026
5.0
Tanzania 🇹🇿 - Serengeti
Serengeti National Park
"Serengeti" means "boundless plains" in Maasai. Covering an area of 25,063 square kilometers, it is home to over 400,000 wildebeest and zebras. Their pursuit of water leads to the Great Migration, a series of endless circles across the Serengeti plains.
The Serengeti National Park and its surrounding area are home to one of the world's most concentrated populations of lions. There are approximately 3,000 to 3,500 lions in the Serengeti region. These lions are distributed across Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Kenya's Maasai Mara.
Serengeti National Park
Foot On Kili Tanzania Adventure20 September 2023
5.0
Best Country to Visit Tanzania, The Land of Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Ngorongoro, We are local Outfitters Organize the best Trekking to Mount Kilimanjaro, Everything here as to be exploring, Enjoy the Nature , while hiking the highest mountain in Africa, You can hike with your family, friends and spend your honeymoon,We invited people all over the world to come and experience the beauty of Tanzania.
Mt Kilimanjaro
Grace_cyt31 August 2023
5.0
There used to be a crater here, but now it has become a large sunken plain with a very large area. After the volcanic eruption, the entire area formed a closed internal cycle, and the ecosystem was self-contained. Although it was basically isolated from the outside world, it was self-sufficient and ecologically balanced. The animals here had enough food and did not need to migrate.
Ngorongoro Crater
西多摩郡剧孟6 April 2025
5.0
非常值得去塔兰吉雷 Nomad Kuro营地。这个营地最大的亮点就是位于食肉动物夜间活动的地方。与食肉动物几乎零距离的靠近。可以听见他们的吼叫和争斗的声音。当地向导说过:它们（动物）一生是吃和保护不被吃的一生。人只要不攻击或不做攻击行为，便不会被动物攻击。最强大的掠食动物面对人类一般是首先回避冲突。当攻击者得到不被攻击的信息后便不会攻击人类（动物与人类之间）。当然弱肉强食的本能会让它们对没有攻击能力其它物种进行掠食。当地人娴熟与攻击型动物在一个区域内生活的规律，不担心会受到攻击。 塔兰吉雷推荐单项指数:风景指数:4星；向导指数:4.9星，塔兰吉雷向导Anisif 细心敬业专业；营地设施指数3.5星；营地服务指数4.3星；营地体验指数4.5星；营地菜肴指数4星。综合指数4.2星。仅供参考！
Tarangire National Park
Pepita0925 January 2024
5.0
Ngorongoro Crater is a total game-changer! The vibrant colors of the crater's landscape are straight out of a dream – from lush greenery to the rich hues of the wildlife. The positive vibes here are off the charts, especially when you're surrounded by zebras, wildebeests, and those beautiful cats. It's like stepping into a living canvas of Mother Nature's finest work. If you're up for an adventure with a kaleidoscope of colors, this is the place to be! 🌈
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
