Arusha Hotels

Location: Arusha city, Tanzania

Overview:

Arusha’s current location was first settled in the 18030s by Agro-pastoral Arusha Maasai from the Arusha Chini Community, south of Mount Kilimanjaro. With two airports; Kilimanjaro International Airport an approx. 60km (37mi) from the city centre and Arusha Municipal Airport which caters mostly for domestic flights from Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam and acts as the main airport for all charter and scheduled flights out of Arusha to various destinations.

Accessible by road, public coaches connect Arusha with other major cities in Tanzania and neighbouring countries. The last population census of 2002, saw the population increase over 400,000 people. This city was established as a minor German military garrison for colonial administration and once a trading place for the domestic Wameru and Waarusha tribes.

The city is now Tanzanian’s regional capital for the start and ending of all northern Tanzania safaris, an area with some of East Africa’s best national parks. The region receives enough rainfall and remains green throughout the year, some of the indigenous tribes of the area are mixed heritage (Arab, Swahili, and Indian heritage) and a strong white community, located below Mount Meru on the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley.

The Uniqueness of this City:

The city is a major international diplomatic hub and hosts the African Court of the African Union and is the capital of the East African Community.
It’s the heart of the Tanzanite gemstone

Accommodation Options:

Four Points by Sheraton the Arusha Hotel
Gran Melia Arusha
Katambuga House
Legendary Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Hamerkop House
Acacia Farm Lodge
Kili Villa

Activities:

Visit the local markets
Visit the Natural History Museum
Visit the Cultural Heritage Centre
Visit the Maasai Women Development Organization (MWEDO)
Climb Ol Doinyo Lengai Mountain.
Visit Lake Natron which is a soda/alkaline lake found at the foot of Mount Ol Donyo Lengai.
Visit the Uhuru Torch monument also known as Mwenge wa Uhuru (Torch of Freedom in Swahili),
Clock Tower is the tower once believed to be built at a point between Cape Town in South African and Cairo in Egypt to represent the middle point of the former British empire in the African continent.
Visit St. Jude Schools
Visit the Hadzabe people
Visit Sidai Designs
Visit the Shanga Foundation
Coffee Tour at the Aranga Coffee Group
Visit the town of Tengeru found outside Arusha and below Mount Meru.

Close by:

Arusha National Park
Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Meru
Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara
Visit hot springs at Maji Moto, Kikuletwa and Chemka Hot Springs are arguably the most beautiful of the lot.
Visit the Jane Goodall Tribute Centre:
Maserani Snake Park