Arusha and around

I stayed in Moshi and only drove through Arusha so I can't say much about Arusha other than it seemed incredibly crowded and not all that appealing. It didn't really strike me as a place where the words "charming," "fresh juices or cocktails," or "live music" applied, but I could be wrong. I'm not trying to rain on your parade but I want to make sure you know that this may not be the type of city you think it is.

The good news is that there are wonderful things to do using Arusha as a base. Arusha National Park is actually a lovely place - try to do a walk with an armed ranger. It last 3-4 hours and is a great way to get up close views of some animals, birds, etc. Then of course there are Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, or Lake Manyara, all of which you could do as day trips from Arusha. The Serengeti would require a long weekend.

If its anything like Moshi, I suspect there are some nicer hotels nestled away in the area outside of Arusha.

Hi -
actually I disagree with almost everything Nilsy said.
I lived in TZ for a year and was in Arusha maybe 3-4 times and found it quite pleasant.

Here are my responses -
1. Accommodation's - we greatly enjoyed the Outpost guest house. My parents stayed there when they came for a visit too. Quiet, off the main street, affordable, and close enough to walk to things during the day, otherwise taxis are cheap. of course there is also the Arusha Coffee Lodge - gorgeous, also out of town ,but pricey... But both are safe and the Lodge has an AWESOME brunch, I think it was on Sundays. wow.

2. Restaurants -there is a pretty good bakery, that makes a wicked cinnamon bun ( but you have to be there real early or that) directly across from the Arusha Naz hotel. (That hotel is well situated, but nothing special) Plus this bakery has perhaps the fastest internet in all of Arusha, expect for the court. We also frequented the Via Via and found it quite nice. They mix film nights, live music, performance, etc. and the food is ok too. But it was a nice place to spend an evening or 2. Dar has a much better night life, but that's another post...

3. Around Arusha - Arusha itself has the ICC (International Court on Rwanda Genocide) and it's open to the public. I would strongly suggest sitting in on a hearing for a few hours and watching the maddeningly slow pace of justice in face of fervent wickedness. It was indescribable sitting in on the settings. Also the court has perhaps the best human right s library I’ve ever seen. We spent a good few days just going back and forth between the 2, and using their free internet connection (shhh, it's a good secret) then there is a ton ton ton of things to do in the natural world wise. Go visit a Masai village, climb Lenai ( the holy Masai Mtn. - an active volcano) hike the parks ( only with rangers, allot of buffalo in the area and boy are they mean!) , there's even camel safari's there now! if your thinking of anything like this, I strongly suggest contacting the guide we worked with – Jacob, his email is jacoblose@yahoo.com and if you contact me off list I can give you his number ( or used to be his number anyhow) . He was an excellent guide, consummate professional, very safe, kind, and knowledgeable, able to see things and point them out to us we never, ever would have seen. He speaks about 4 languages and was working on Spanish when we left so if you could bring him some “learn Spanish “ cd’s you will have a friend for life!

4. Kili – just my opinion – this is not a walk in the park. IF, you are a consummate hiker / mountaineer, and are comfortable in reduced oxygen environments than I’d say go for it. But I can’t tell you how many people had some wild idea of “climbing kill” and arrive in TZ with all this gusto and gear and are left highly disappointed. The other thing is it’s no joke. It’s very very high, and despite what you might her, not either as simple, or straightforward as it seems. In all my time there, of all the people I met how were off to climb kill, only a handful summitted. Better to climb Lenai. Lastly, due to global warming a lot of the glacier’s are gone from the Mtn and this helped to cause s a rock slide. A few people died on this trip, and friends of our, their on their honeymoon, umpteen thousands of feet in the air, were on that climb, and came down terrified. Absolutely exhausted from what happened to them. Anyway, just my opinion.

5.Volunteer – yup , there is MUCH you can do. Mama Justa ( an amazing lady!) runs an organization named Kiwohede house, they have a chapter in Arusha. Its dedicated to orphaned, trafficked, and abused girls. They need all kinds of things . SPW and IYP each have chapters in Arusha I believe too – all need lots of support. I’m unsure how much product development consulting may occur, but definitely material support and assistances. Furthermore there are a few Masai women co-ops that might be able to put to use a good “product to market” strategy, but this would take some development, and an appreciation for the settings the market is in. Anyway, this is a longer discussion, please contact me off list for more info and contacts for some of these places.

Best of luck, have a great time, it’s really an amazing place
cheers

Hi,

Arusha is a wonderfully place to stay.

Arusha we have many many attracting things and most of the tourist who comes to Tanzania they come to Arusha.

The hotels are affordable and security too.

I can assist you in looking for a hotel. I live in Arusha.

Your prompt response will be appreciated.

Thanks

Salut Véronique, I climbed Kilimanjaro with www.ahsantetours.com, have a look at their website or send them a mail to ask for prices and conditions. Other questions on Kili are welcome. I did not stay in Arusha, but in Moshi. Bon voyage en Tanzanie.

Some answers concerning Arusha:

2) Restaurants and bars
Nazz hotel has a self-service with also take-away boxes for your day trips.
You can also eat in Mosque Street in Khan's Barbeque, a very curious place. Salads and spiced BBQ-style meat. Alcoholic beverages are not served there.

3) What to see and do
within Arusha or in 2-3day trips
In a day trip you can visit Tarangire National Park or Ngorongoro Crater. Also Arusha National Park, I think less interesting.

Hello,

I am Gasto from Arusha where I live and work, where is your sweetheart going for the training? Just let me know and I will suggest some very good accommodation options for you. I think the place where you are going to stay should be closer to where the training is going to be done.

-Restaurants and bars

There are a number of good bars in Arusha with live music as well as restaurants with all the items you are mentining and many others.

-What to see and do
I would suggest that you go to Ngorongoro crater and Lake Manyara where you will enjoy the African wildlife. Just let me know your budget so that I can reccommend the best tour company for you.

-Kilimanjaro
If you are also interested in hiking then you should also let me know your budget. This will assist me in identifying the best company that will suit your need.

-Volunteer or consultancy work
I work for an organization called MS-Training Centre for Development Cooperation - An International Danish NGO. We work with a number of other NGOs, as we offer capacity building programs to them. You can read more about us from our website: www.mstcdc.or.tz.

I would be able to link you to one of our NGO clients, that might be interested to benefit from your knowledge and skills. Just let me if you do not mind so that I can introduce you to one of them. Are you interested in the Youth/children programs?

Please, write to me directly through gastolekule@gmail.com.

Thanks.

Gasto.

I can also vouch for Khan's (Chicken on a bonnet) Barbeque. A car repair shop by day and eatery by night. The food's delicious and cheap and their juice is bloody amazing - dont know what's in it, called passion juice I think.
For entertainment and food, try the Maasai Camp east of Arusha (a short cab ride) or for a romantic dinner up the hill from the Maasai camp is Karama Lodge. I ate at them all, all very different and all great !
Arusha is a town with all that entails, but the people are fantastic, and like everywhere else a few words of Swahili and a cool handshake will go a long way.

Hi, everybody, my name is Pedro, and I was living in Arusha for almost two years but in 1981. I am a doctor and I was working in Arusha Regional Hospital at that time .I am from Cuba but actually I'have been living in USA for more than 15 years. One of the most wonderful experiences enjoyed in my life was when I was there.I know that 26 years may be a huge difference but the atractions,and probably some people still arround . Basically I decided to go there next April for 4 to 5 days with my family (wife and my 17 years old girl) All the information will be helpful. You can write my at pedro98m@aol.com any time. I'll appreciate it.

Agree with jerkfish - Arusha is really pleasant and the views of Meru from the main streets can take your breath away.

You may want to attempt lower walks around Meru rather than Kili - we didn't do it but I heard from many during our stay that there is some beautiful walking around the base.

Also agree with jerskfish on The Outpost - it isn't the cheapest in town, it's moderately priced but worth it. It ended up being my fave accomm in Tanzania. The food is spectacular for the price and the bar/restaurant area has cable and lots of lounging areas and little nooks and crannies to chill out in. We hardly left there at night.