Things to do in Northern Tanzania
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Big Bite
Delicious Indian food, including numerous vegetarian dishes, in a no-frills setting.
reviewed
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Via via
Set in quiet gardens behind the Natural History Museum, this laid-back place is a popular meeting spot, with salads, sandwiches, fresh bread, cakes, yogurt and light meals (a mixture of local and European fare), plus a bar and live music on Thursdays from 9pm.
reviewed
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Greek Club
A popular expat hang-out, especially on weekend evenings; it has free movies on Sunday afternoon, good pizza and a lively sports bar.
reviewed
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Khan’s Barbecue
This Arusha institution – ‘Chicken on the Bonnet’ – is an auto-spares store by day and a popular and very earthy barbecue by night, with a heaping spread of grilled, skewered meat and salads.
reviewed
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Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park , although one of Tanzania's smallest parks, is one of its most beautiful and most topographically varied. Its main features include Ngurdoto Crater (often dubbed Little Ngorongoro) and the Momela Lakes to the east. To the west is beautiful Mt Meru. The two areas are joined by a narrow strip, with Momela Gate at its centre. The park's altitude, which varies from 1500m to more than 4500m, has a variety of vegetation zones supporting numerous animal species.
Ngurdoto Crater is surrounded by forest, while the crater floor is a swamp. West of the crater is Serengeti Ndogo (Little Serengeti), an extensive area of open grassland and the only place in the pa…
reviewed
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School of St Jude
He's the patron saint of hopeless cases, but St Jude would definitely be smiling at what has been achieved in his name in a school just outside Arusha. To score a place in Australian Gemma Sisia's pioneering establishment you have to meet two very different requirements. First you've got to be extremely bright, only the smartest kids get to even sit the entrance exam and only the best results get a place. Second you've got to be very poor, if you come from a home with more than two rooms or with electricity you're ineligible.
The School of St Jude kicked off in 2002 with a handful of kids and one teacher. By 2007 the school had expanded to 850 children, 60 teachers and 20…
reviewed
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Kilimanjaro - Shira Route
10 days (Arusha)
A remote and scenic route to the summit of Africa's highest mountain.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$2,640 -
Tanzania on Foot
16 days (Arusha)
The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro via the remote Rongai Route.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$4,590 Advertisement
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Kivulini Kitchen
This is a simple one-room place, run by a local women’s group, with profits going to a local women’s rights organisation. There’s an extensive menu, although not everything is available. Best is to ask what the day’s special is, and then enjoy the lovely garden area – also with a small children’s play area – behind while it’s being prepared. Or, to avoid a long wait, order in advance. It’s about 2km from town in the Isamilo section of town (Tsh1500 in a taxi, or a 20-minute walk).
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Momela Lakes
The Momela Lakes, like many in the Rift Valley, are shallow and alkaline and attract a wide variety of wader birds, particularly flamingos.
The lakes are fed by underground streams; due to their varying mineral content, each lake supports a different type of algal growth, which gives them different colours. Bird life also varies quite distinctly from one lake to another, even where they are only separated by a narrow strip of land. Mt Meru is a mixture of lush forest and bare rock with a spectacular crater.
reviewed
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SAA NANE Game Reserve
This little reserve is on a tiny island just off Capri Point. While it could be a peaceful getaway from the dust of town, it is sadly marred by a dejected-looking collection of caged animals, and not recommended. A boat departs several times daily from next to Hotel Tilapia (Tsh1000, 15 minutes). There’s no food or lodging on the island. The reserve’s office is on Capri Point Rd, about 200m north of Hotel Tilapia.
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Central Market
Central Mwanza has an Oriental feel due to its many mosques and Hindu temples, and is well worth a stroll, particularly the area around Temple St. In the area between Temple St west towards Post St, Mwanza's strong Indian influence is particularly evident, with Indian trading houses and pan shops lining the streets. To the southeast is the bustling and chaotic Central Market , where you can find almost anything you could want.
reviewed
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4 Day Wildlife Safari
4 days (Arusha)
View Africa's famous wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park or at Lake Manyara..
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,290 -
Lounge
A low-key place with delicious, great-value cuisine, featuring homemade tagliatelle, gourmet wraps, crispy salads, meat and seafood grills, pizzas and ‘Kilimanjaro nachos’. Everything is freshly made and served in generously large portions against a relaxed backdrop of lounge seating and music. It’s at L’Oasis Lodge, on the northern edge of town.
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Mount Meru Ascent
4 days (Arusha)
An exhilarating ascent of Africa's 5th highest mountain.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,190 -
3 Day Wildlife Safari
3 days (Arusha)
A wonderful opportunity to spot the Big Five in Africa's premier game parks.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,120 -
Northern Tanzania Circuit
8 days (Arusha)
A memorable journey through Tanzania's most prolific wildlife habitats with excellent accommodation.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$2,590 -
Craft Shop
The Craft Shop with mostly carvings, and the large and unmissable Cultural Heritage is 12km west of town. Quality and selection here are good, although intermediaries get a fairly large cut of the (high) purchase prices.
reviewed
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Ngurdoto Crater
Ngurdoto Crater is surrounded by forest, while the crater floor is a swamp. West of the crater is Serengeti Ndogo (Little Serengeti), an extensive area of open grassland and the only place in the park where herds of Burchell's zebras can be found.
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Flame Tree
This popular place, now in a new location several blocks in from Old Moshi Rd, has cosy seating that’s ideal for an intimate dinner or quiet lunch, and well-prepared and well-presented continental cuisine featuring all fresh ingredients.
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Diner
Despite the drab exterior and sometimes spotty service, the food here – an extensive selection of Indian dishes, plus some Chinese fare as well – is usually delicious. It’s just down from the Air Tanzania office.
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Yun Long Chinese Restaurant
Good Chinese food and sundowners overlooking Bismarck Rock and the lake. Turn left one block west of the post office and continue along the dirt road running parallel to the water for about 500m, crossing the railroad tracks.
reviewed
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Rafiki Women’s Centre
This unsigned place diagonally opposite Precision Air has a small but good array of crafts from Tanzania and Kenya. On Sundays, staff set up a display of crafts inside the New Mwanza Hotel between 9am and 1pm.
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