nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

What to do in Arusha? - Arrival Day

hdbarnes00

My family will be on the July 23, 2023 Bridges Safari. Our flight arrives into Arusha early morning on Day 1 and the itinerary doesn't have any scheduled activities. If we are feeling up to it, are there any activities we could do in or around Arusha that day?
Is it safe to undertake exploring on our own, or are we better to hire a guide?

Comments

Smiling Sam

You might use the Search window in the upper right of this page and search for something like 'things to do in Arusha'. I know there have been a lot of posts on this subject previously.

AlanS

You do not want to wander into town on your own! You can hire a guide at the hotel but there is really not much to see. A popular activity is to visit (with guide/driver) Arusha National Park or, if your tour doesn't include it, a visit to the Tanzania Cultural Center (an NGO) for some shopping. The local markets are where locals buy food, cooking oil, chickens, clothing, etc. and not suited to visit.

Remember you'll be spending a lot of hours getting there, so don't underestimate how tired you or your family will be. You might just consider chilling at the hotel or at the pool if it has one or other activities at the hotel. As Sam says there are a lot of discussions on this topic in the forums- check out both the Kenya, Tanzania Classic Safari and Grand Family Safari forums.

British

We are taking this tour in exactly a year from now. We have not taken the Bridges tour before. We have been with Tauck to that area three times now. The hotel is different and has a pool, that is where our family will hang out to help get over jet lag and be ready for all the 5am wake up calls ahead. The tour includes Arusha National park, so no need to go there. There is a coffee plantation and I think we did visit there one time. I agree with Alan, don’t go to town on your own, there is nothing of note except the cultural center which in my estimation is not as good as it used to be. The local market is not for westerners.

sevenseas

The Gran Melia Arusha is lovely. We were there end of July last year. The pool area is quite nice (British will probably ask if it is heated - not sure). Just past the rear of the property you can walk through a gate and there is a nonprofit featuring workers with disabilities who make jewelry, textiles and other nice things. They give a nice tour and the purchases go to a good cause. It is nice to stroll the coffee plantation on the property. Much of the hotel's produce is also grown on site, and the staff happily gave us a very nice tour of their gardens. The spa is decent too. There are several nice dining choices. The buffet was varied and decent quality. We like Indian cuisine, and for dinner enjoyed the on site Indian restaurant. Lunch in the rooftop restaurant facing the mountain was quite nice. I think there are enough light activities to have a leisurely day to prepare for a full itinerary. The rooms themselves were very comfortable as well. Enjoy your trip.

Sealord

The hotel and the grounds are quite nice. I would rest up in preparation for the busy days ahead.

dogdoctor

My In-Laws called today tasking me (as the forum member and tech savy family member) to ask the forum here the following question.

They will be arriving in Arusha at 1:10 pm the day before our tour. We will be arriving in Arusha at 4:45 pm the day before our tour. It is clear that we will be responsible for meals and activities on that day arrival day and including the Day 1 as there is nothing technically planned on Day 1 outside of the Airport transfer. We (my family of 4) will also have a post trip stay as well before we leave for Boston again.

Has any one ventured into Arusha for dining/shopping? Do most stick to the Gran Melia Arusha? I don't want to waste an opportunity to see this part of the world, but at the same time I understand the apprehension of most. Additionally, my desire to see the city may simply be my utter lack of knowledge and experience in this part of the world. Sounds like using a guide would be highly recommended if we do want to venture out.

Polly6022

I have a similar question—accidentally booked plane travel to arrive 2 days before tour officially starts due to misunderstanding that first day is considered the one in which we arrive at the airport at 8:00 pm. ☹️ We’ll be on a Bridges tour with a 13, 10 and 7 year old and their parents.

Augrl

We arrived at the Gran Melia nearly midnight last year and loved the Gran Melia. We had to Waite at the airport over a hour for everyone to be ready to go to the hotel then there is a half hour drive. The staff and the grounds are so nice. There are paths around the property through the coffee plantation and a vegetable garden. Don’t miss the workshop at the top of the hill in back where disabled people make various items. We bought a couple of small canvas paintings, some glasses blown from wine bottles and other items. They people loved showing us their crafts and having photos made; these were our favorite souvenirs. Rooms are large with balconies and food is good. Some people did a day trip but we had been to Tanzania before and enjoyed the chance to rest before the trip began.

British

We have been to Arusha three times before, but not the Melia hotel. As above, I know about the coffee plantation and the workshop. We plan to visit them.
My recommendation would be to chill out at the hotel especially if you have young children, make use of the pool. Take in to consideration the time change and all the upcoming very early morning starts.
At one time, the Bridges tour offered the Arusha National Park or a hike around Kilimanjaro on the first day, they dropped the walk. The Arusha National park is unlike all of the other safaris on the tour.
Arusha town is quite small, not that much to see. A ride by in a taxi would suffice if you really want.. I don’t recommend the outside market, it is for the locals with things like used clothing laid out on the ground. If you want to go to that, go with a guide but you can do a drive by past that too.
You will get a chance to shop in the ‘town’ at the end of the tour in the Cultural Heritage Center where they have a huge amount of all sorts of crafts, paintings and even fabric, the latter of which I buy if I can, I love bold African prints.

Sealord

Stay in the Tauck bubble. Don’t be misled into believing that Africa is a safe place. It is not. If you choose to roam, do so with guides and escorts. On our first K&T we were nearly evacuated due to terrorist attacks in Arusha. That being said we go back for our fifth trip in less than four weeks. I love it.

British

Yes, we were in Arusha at the same time as SeaLord on a different tour when that occurred. It’s a good idea to sign up for STEP.

dogdoctor

Thank you all for those insightful updates! I hope we cross paths while there British.

SandyFeet

dog doctor, Listen to Sealord and British; they know their Africa. Personally, I would not step a foot into Arusha on my own. Have a wonderful trip!

Quick Links

All Categories
Recent Posts
Activity
Unanswered
Help
Best Of