Things To Do In Arusha Before And After Your Safari

Things To Do In Arusha Before And After Your Safari, Arusha is one of the dazzling cities in Tanzania. Its strategic location in the north makes it a safari hub for many Tanzania safaris. And there’s a good reason for that. The town’s proximity to world-famous destinations like Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, and Ngorongoro Crater enables guests to start their adventure and possibly finish it there.

As a result, you might spend hours a day, or more, in this city, depending on your itinerary. So, what should you be doing while you’re in Arusha? That depends on what you want to experience. In this article, we reveal beautiful activities to do in Arusha before and after your safari adventure. Let’s get right into it.

Before your safari

From our experience, most travelers arrive in Arusha a day before their itinerary kicks in. That means they have just hours of rest before their adventure the following day. For this case, they can just embark on half-day adventures, including.

Lake Duluti tour.

A 20-minute drive from Arusha City will get you to this stunning crater lake. The lake is permanent, drawing its waters from rainfall and underground channels. If you want a tranquil place to chill after a long flight, here’s your spot.

This lake covers around 160 acres (63 hectares), surrounded by a nature reserve of about 47 acres (19 hectares). It’s shallow, with its deepest part being at 9 meters (30 ft). There are plenty of things to do on this lake, including canoeing, forest walks, kayaking, picnicking, and sport fishing. Lake Duluti is also a birder’s paradise. Many species reside in the shallow waters as well as in the surrounding forests.

Shopping tour.

You may need certain gear for your safari. If yes, then go on a shopping tour in Arusha. This town has malls and markets selling gear at the best prices. If you are going for a Kilimanjaro hike, make sure you have the most important gear with you. If you don’t have, our guides will be there to help.

You can also walk in the Maasai markets to buy souvenirs. Some of the best shopping places in Arusha include AIM Mall, Arusha Mall, Sable Square Shopping Village, Mount Meru Curios & Crafts Market, Shanga Foundation, Maasai Market Curios and Crafts, House of Gems Tanzania, and Cultural Heritage Center.

After your safari

After you finish your adventure in the Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, or anywhere, you can spend some time reflecting on what you have seen. During this time, you can visit other places for a day trip or half to appreciate beauty. Here are some of the unique things to do after your safari.

Maasai visits

You might have been busy with the safari, searching for wildlife, or with the hike. It’s now time to experience something unique. To experience the cultural appeal of Tanzania. The Maasai live in the Arusha region, especially in the rural areas of the town.

A visit to these welcoming communities will inspire you to learn new dressing styles, adopt new dancing styles, and compete in the spear-throwing challenge. The Maasai are also good craftsmen. Their beads, bracelets, necklaces, and sandals are worth a penny.

 

Arusha city tour.

You have just explored the wildest part of the country. Now, get into the busy streets of Arusha. Visit markets and notable locations like the Clock Tower, which is the halfway point between Cairo and Cape Town. You can also visit museums like the Natural History Museum, Arusha Declaration Museum, Old Boma Museum, and Cultural Heritage Center.

Coffee tour.

On the slopes of Mount Meru are large coffee plantations. You can visit these farms and learn a lot from the farmers. You can learn how they grow, harvest, and process coffee. And if it’s harvest time, you can see how farmers collaboratively crush coffee beans into a mug. This tour usually comes to an end with a taste of the fresh coffee, a farm-to-table experience.

Biking tour.

A bike tour exercises your body while at the same time giving you stunning views. You can pedal around the town or go outside of it for even more reflection. Take a challenging route from town to banana plantations just a few miles away from the city.

Canoeing on the Small Momella

Momella Lakes are found in Arusha National Park. Though they’re seven, canoeing is only available on the Small Momella. This mirror-like lake offers beautiful views of the surrounding, Mount Meru, animals, and birds. So, if you have some free time, leave your hotel for a canoe trip on this lake. It will make you feel relaxed.

 

The bottom line

There’s much to do in Arusha. The busy markets, best shopping places make it appealing if you don’t want to get out of the town. The calm nature reserve, lakes, mountains, and other natural features make it captivating for outdoor activities.

And there’s more than that. You can connect trips to Moshi, a nearby town, for adventurous activities like Chemka Hot Springs or Materuni Waterfalls. So, do you want adventurous activities in your safari package?  You can include them in your safari package or take them as optional activities. Either way, we are here to help you.