Arusha Day Trips: Game Drives, Mount Meru Hikes and How to Spend a Free Day

What is the best day trip from Arusha?

For most people, it is a day in Arusha National Park. It is close to town, it has beautiful scenery and it lets you do something most parks do not allow: walk among the animals with an armed ranger. If you would like bigger herds and have the time, Tarangire National Park is about two hours from Arusha. For culture, consider a Maasai community visit.

Arusha National Park: game drive and walking safari

The park is small enough to explore in a day, and its variety is remarkable. You can look for colobus monkeys in the forest around Ngurdoto Crater, watch buffalo graze on the marshy crater floor from the rim and see flamingos and other birds on the Momella Lakes, with Mount Meru rising behind them. Giraffes are common, and on a clear morning, you may even see Kilimanjaro in the distance.

Walking with a ranger

Being on foot among giraffes and buffalo feels very different from watching from a vehicle. Walks are led by an armed ranger, and they usually last a few hours. Canoeing on the Momella Lakes may also be possible. Ask us what is available when you book. Do not come for lions, as they are rarely seen here, if at all. Choose this park for scenery, walking and a peaceful day.

Mount Meru: a day hike on the lower slopes

At 4,566 meters (14,980 feet), Mount Meru is Tanzania's second-highest mountain, and climbing it takes three or four days. You can get a taste of it in a single day with a guided walk on the lower forested slopes, inside Arusha National Park. Expect colobus monkeys, birds and possibly a waterfall. It is a good warm-up for people planning to climb Kilimanjaro, as long as you leave time to rest afterward. An armed ranger accompanies you, as buffalo and other animals live here.

Museums and cultural visits in Arusha

If you would rather stay in town, Arusha has a few useful stops. The Arusha Declaration Museum tells the story of Tanzania's path after independence, and the Natural History Museum in the old German Boma offers displays on human origins and wildlife. Cultural Heritage, a large craft center on the edge of town, sells carvings and tanzanite. The central market is lively, and it can be a good introduction to daily life. These are easy half-day options if you land early or have a few hours before your flight.

Maasai communities and coffee near Arusha

Several Maasai communities close to Arusha welcome visitors, and so do coffee farms on the slopes of Mount Meru. A good visit gives you time to talk with people and see daily life, and part of the money you pay should go to the community. Avoid places that feel like a staged show. Our cultural day trips guide explains how to choose well.

Arusha or Moshi: which is the better base for day trips?

Both work well. Arusha is closer to the safari parks and to Arusha National Park, so it suits you if wildlife is the goal. Moshi is closer to Kilimanjaro, Materuni, Chemka and Lake Chala, so it suits climbers and anyone looking for waterfalls and coffee. The towns are about 80 kilometers (50 miles) apart, and many travelers visit both. Moshi also tends to feel a little smaller and calmer. See our Moshi day trips guide.

Using a day trip around your flight

Kilimanjaro International Airport lies between Moshi and Arusha, and some flights also use Arusha's small airport. If you land in the morning, or leave at night, a day in Arusha National Park can fit in easily, and it makes good use of time you might otherwise spend waiting. Tell us your flight times, and we will tell you what is realistic. Keep some time in hand, especially on your day of departure.

How to arrange a day trip from Arusha

Tell us your date, your hotel and how many people are in your group, and we will reply with a written quote. Your trip is private, so you can choose your start time. Park fees are included in the prices below. Walking safaris and canoeing can have their own costs, so your quote will list these clearly.

Arusha National Park day trip prices

A day in the park starts from $265 per person with two people sharing. The price per person falls as your group grows, because the vehicle and guide cost is shared. These are prices from Moshi, and your final price is confirmed in your written quotation. Tell us if you are staying in Arusha.

Our guides have worked on Tanzania tours for 7 years. They are graduates of the College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka, and the National College of Tourism, and they hold certification from those institutions. Tips are not included, and they are appreciated. Common guidance is about $15 to $25 per traveler per day for your guide.

Best time for Arusha day trips

June to February is generally best for Arusha National Park, with drier roads and clearer views. The long rains from March to May can make some tracks difficult. Mornings are usually best for seeing Meru and Kilimanjaro. Arusha sits at about 1,400 meters (4,600 feet), so mornings and evenings can be cool, especially from June to August.

What to bring on an Arusha day trip

Bring a light jacket, comfortable closed shoes if you plan to walk, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera. Bring your passport details for park entry, and some small bills for tips. See a travel clinic before your trip for advice about malaria and vaccinations.

Arusha day trips: your questions answered

How to make the most of a day in Arusha

If you have one free day, go to Arusha National Park and take a walk with a ranger. It is close, it is beautiful and it is a world away from the busy town. Send us your date and we will arrange it.