Ultimate ChatGPT City Walk Guide: Best Day Trip Itinerary & Hidden Gems in Arusha

🌍 Arusha is a city nestled at the foot of Mount Meru and the third-largest city in Tanzania. While planning a one-day itinerary for Arusha, my lazy self asked ChatGPT to draft a Citywalk plan for an immersive experience of African culture. Thus, the Arusha trip became a day of following ChatGPT’s suggestions.

[1] The Citywalk starts at the Clock Tower. The iconic Clock Tower in the city center marks the intersection of major roads connecting Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya. From here, we walked through the city, passing by Arusha’s oldest primary and secondary schools, as well as vibrant street art visible everywhere along the way.

[2] Arusha Central Market. This is the busiest local market in Arusha, where residents shop for food, clothing, and daily necessities. It was the place I was most excited about, but our guide bluntly refused my request to walk in, saying, “It’s not very safe for foreigners.” 😢 It was a Saturday, and the market was indeed crowded and chaotic. In the end, we only drove around the outskirts.

[3] Maasai Market. Our guide suggested the Maasai Market as a safer alternative, so we adjusted our plans. This market is the best place to buy Maasai handicrafts—especially since haggling is expected. The joy of bargaining in broken English and finding treasures was unmatched; I could have spent the whole day there!

[4] Lunch: While reviewing ChatGPT’s recommendations, I noticed a mistake—none of the restaurants it suggested could be found on TripAdvisor, Dianping, or Google Maps. 🌚 Proof of its tendency to fabricate. In the end, following our guide’s advice, we had lunch at a restaurant inside our next destination: the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre.

[5] Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre. This African art and culture center houses a diverse collection, including paintings, Tinga Tinga art, wood carvings, and more. The gallery has four floors, and if time allows, it’s worth exploring slowly.

Due to time constraints, we couldn’t complete the rest of ChatGPT’s itinerary. Here’s a tip: for safety reasons, it’s best to explore with a guide. It’s not that Arusha is unsafe—as our guide put it, “Many people are good, but some are not.” Overall, ChatGPT’s plan deserves about 80 points.