Is Arusha Tanzania Worth Visiting? One of Tanzania’s greatest travel destinations is Arusha, where you can experience true local life and learn about Tanzanian culture. It is located in Tanzania’s northern region, East Africa. It is also recognized as the gateway to some of Tanzania’s most well-known National Parks, including the Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arusha, located near the foot of Mount Meru, is a tourism hotspot as well as an important commercial town in the region. But the question remains: is it worthwhile to visit Arusha? We will discuss the history, tourism attractions, and logistics of visiting Arusha in this detailed guide, allowing you to make an informed decision.
IS ARUSHA WORTH A VISIT? ITS HISTORY
Arusha got its name from the Arusha Maasai, who were agropastoralists who came to live in the region in the 1830s. The town grew as a hub for regional trade during the ensuing decades. A momentous shift in history occurred in 1896 when the Germans took control of Arusha. When the missionaries attempted to establish themselves on neighboring Mount Meru, they said they were slaughtered.
The German Schutztruppe erected a military stronghold here four years later. They drove the inhabitants from their ancestral land and made them excavate lime and haul stones in order to construct it. After the British took control in 1916, German soldiers, police, and officials were driven out. The British established civilian rule following World War I and relocated the regional administration’s headquarters to Arusha. This presented a chance for American missionaries to win over the “lost souls” among the African populace. The former German farms were also seized at the same time by Greek and British settlers. The people in the area were once again left on their own.
Over the next few years, Arusha became a multilingual, somewhat overly Westernized town. Later on, it rose to prominence in Tanzania’s contemporary history. The independence accords between the newly independent Tanzanian government and representatives of the United Kingdom were signed here in 1961. The nationalization of banks was prompted by the Arusha Declaration in 1967. In 1994, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda was founded in Arusha by the United Nations Security Council. The Arusha Agreement of 2015 established the foundation for the Southern Sudanese ruling party’s reconciliation.
As of the 2012 census, Arusha had a population of well over 400,000, making it a big town. Often colloquially referred to as “Dar es Safari” in allusion to Tanzania’s main city, Dar es Salaam, it is the epicenter of Tanzanian tourism.
IS ARUSHA WORTH A VISIT? THE CITY LIFE
It is appropriate for the city because “FESTAC AFRICA 2023—DESTINATION ARUSHA” will be held from May 21 to May 27 this year. In 2023, it will be Africa’s biggest cultural event, to showcase and develop the continent’s emerging talent. As a festival of cultures, the organizers hope to share African heritage through art, fashion, music, dance, poetry, cinema, storytelling, hospitality, and cuisine. Additionally, live performances by musicians from many African and international nations showcase the diversity of their cultures.
Arusha demonstrates that a city’s inhabitants and street life can make it intriguing even in the absence of stunning architecture. In this way, Arusha is a mysterious, evocative, and paradoxical city that offers a range of experiences.
On the one hand, some people battle every day for their lives, scavenging the streets for sustenance. Conversely, the great majority of people find that maintaining a work-life balance entails spending their entire day trading their items on the bustling markets. Then some seem to have attained a certain degree of comfort and ease in their lives. They take taxis or hang around in restaurants and cafés. Ultimately, though, it becomes evident very quickly that life here is not the same as it is back home. However, the locals embrace visitors, who have assimilated into their way of life.
WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN ARUSHA?
A guided tour is the ideal way to explore the city when it comes to sightseeing. This will let you get a sense of what a diverse and historically significant safari city is like. The following locations could be enjoyable for individuals who would rather travel without a guide:
Arusha Clock Tower
Locals and visitors alike congregate at the Clock Tower, which is somewhat lost in the surroundings. It is purported to be midway between Cape Town and Cairo.
Cultural Heritage Center
The Heritage Center is rather distinct and located more on the outskirts than in the city center. African symbolism is represented by the building’s external design, which has a drum, a shield, and a spear. They stand for the cultural legacy of Africa, which is showcased inside the center through jewelry, antiques, regional handicrafts, an art gallery, and other items.
Arusha National Natural History Museum
The historic German fort, or “boma,” serves as the home of this museum. The museum offers fascinating information about German colonial history and the nation’s independence movement, which is appropriate given its location. Exciting displays on the history of animal and human evolution are also available, mostly in the form of educational display cases. At the end of the day, you can reflect on humanity while sipping coffee in the museum’s charming café.
Declaration Museum
The museum is located in the same structure as the 1967 Arusha Declaration. It paved the way for Tanzania’s socialist policies and subsequent independence. The museum’s subject is comprehending this era, the political choices and difficulties, and their influence on the present.
The Tanzanite Experience Museum
The rare gemstone tanzanite is the center of attention in this place. The blue-violet gemstone, which is unique to Tanzania, is well explained in the museum’s summary of its mining, processing, and history. However, individuals who choose not to visit museums will undoubtedly take advantage of two extremely unique markets:
Kilombero Market: this is the largest market In Arusha. ideal for walking and stargazing. Be cautious of sellers shoving oversized handcarts through the throng. There are local, fresh fruits and veggies within. However, the stalls also sell all the typical market fare, such as meat, seafood, and spices. It’s a veritable gourmet’s paradise and a sensory extravaganza.
Massai Market: The hip Maasai Market in Arusha is located close to the Clock Tower and is a must-visit place for Tanzanian goods, including masks, paintings, jewelry, shoes, clothing, and Maasai spears. In addition, vibrantly wrapped Maasai sellers are eager to haggle. I also suggest visiting the bustling bus terminal if you’re looking for even more of that unique Arusha vibe.
DAY TRIPS FROM ARUSHA: THE SURROUNDINGS
It’s worthwhile to visit Arusha National Park, which is close to the city center. This area does not have as many elephants as, say, the Serengeti. In just a few hours, you may discover an enticing array of ecosystems and take in stunning vistas of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro on a guided day tour in a 4×4 safari vehicle. A variety of remarkable landscapes can be seen, ranging from open savannah to woods, lakes, swamps, and mountain summits.
Giraffes and zebras welcome you to the lush savannahs of the “Little Serengeti” as you enter the southern portion of the park. From there, you enter a shaded mountain forest full of colorful turacos and trogons, as well as curious monkeys. The sleek black-and-white colobus monkeys are unlike anything else on the Northern Circuit in their ease of recognition. Ngurudoto Crater is in the center of the forest, providing sanctuary to families of warthogs and herds of buffalo due to its sheer cliffs. The plateau of Lake Momella is located to the north. When thousands of flamingos visit some of the lakes, their diverse tones of blue and green take on a gentle pink hue. An accent of color for the local hippos.
Climbing Mount Meru in Arusha National Park is one of the most spectacular trekking experiences in the nation, with its diverse roads and trails that wind past waterfalls and across streams.
IN CONCLUSION, IS A TRIP TO ARUSHA WORTHWHILE?
Arusha is the starting point for several of Tanzania’s most well-known attractions, such as Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater; therefore, you really must visit it on any trip there. is it advisable to spend more than one night in Arusha? There is undoubtedly plenty to occupy at least two days in the town, including cultural events, museums, shopping, and day trips. If your schedule already includes climbing, safaris, and beach work in Zanzibar, it would be advisable to limit your stay at one of the charming plantation guesthouses in Arusha to just one night. Visiting Arusha is worthwhile. We will be pleased to assist you in organizing your trip to Tanzania and to respond to any queries you may have. Experience from Tanzania is a trustworthy ally by your side. So please contact us!
