Arusha Travel Guide: Best Places to Eat, Drink & Explore in Tanzania’s Safari Capital

🌍 Arusha, being a city close to several safari destinations in Tanzania, is the perfect place to experience African urban culture, cuisine, entertainment, and to buy souvenirs!

🟠 Reasons to Recommend:
**A Must-Visit for Coffee Lovers**
Known for its “most authentically African coffee,” Arusha boasts numerous coffee plantations. Visitors can tour these estates to learn about coffee bean processing and bring home some souvenirs.

**An International Hub**
With diverse cuisine, beautiful scenery, and convenient transportation, Arusha is a better choice compared to Dar es Salaam. It has a lower population density and less traffic congestion.

🟡 Recommended Activities:
♨️ **Kikuletwa Hot Springs**: A stunning wild natural spring with emerald waters, perfect for cliff jumping and fish therapy. Nearby, you can also visit gorillas—a full day of fun! Remember to bring your swimsuit!

🏨 **Arusha Coffee Lodge**: A luxurious 5-star resort set within a coffee plantation, featuring a swimming pool and spa—an ideal spot to unwind.

🌋 **Mount Meru**: Standing at 4,566 meters, just a 30-minute drive from the city. The climb to the summit typically takes 3-4 days, making it great for acclimatization before tackling Mount Kilimanjaro.

💦 **Momella Lake**: During the dry season (July–October), thousands of flamingos migrate here, turning the lake a vibrant pink.

🪀 **Maasai Market Curios and Crafts**: A small handicraft market where you can hunt for treasures like paintings, masks, jewelry, and T-shirts—bargaining is welcome!

🖼️ **Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre**: Highly recommended! A stylish art gallery and marketplace showcasing a variety of artworks, including paintings, Tinga Tinga, wood carvings, and more.

🎨 **African Art Gallery**: A collection of rich African art, featuring traditional carvings, paintings, and modern handicrafts.

🥯 Food Recommendations:
🍽 **Tembo Club**: A beautiful setting with delicious food! Try the roasted whole lamb leg—tender and flavorful, served with chili sauce. It’s so good you’ll want extra rice!

🍽 **The Flame Tree**: Authentic Chinese cuisine, especially their spicy Sichuan dishes and hot pot 🌶! A great spot for Chinese travelers craving a taste of home.

Tanzanian tourism can be pricey, but local prices are surprisingly low!
– Grilled corn: 500 TZS (~$0.20)
– Milk tea: 500 TZS (~$0.20)
– Street-side grilled skewers: 500 TZS (~$0.20)
– Sugarcane: 500 TZS (~$0.20)
– Peanuts: 500 TZS (~$0.20)
– Avocado-banana smoothie: 1,000 TZS (~$0.40)—absolutely delicious!