Ultimate Sky Safari Northern Tanzania

Arusha is known as the safari capital of Tanzania and is just an hour's drive from Kilimanjaro Airport. Situated at the foot of the majestic Mount Meru – with the imposing Kilimanjaro in the background – Arusha is an ideal base for safaris in the northern national parks.

The city is also called 'the heart of Africa', because it is supposedly located exactly halfway between Cape Town and Cairo – although the actual midpoint is 25 kilometres outside the city. Arusha is known to the locals as "A' Town". At an altitude of around 1,400 metres, you can enjoy a pleasant climate and predominantly green surroundings here, making Arusha the perfect place to acclimatise and relax before going on safari.

Arusha is vibrant and lively, with a colourful streetscape and friendly, hospitable people. Although the city does not have any 'must-see' tourist highlights, it is certainly worth taking a walk through the city and its surroundings on your own. During the day, it’s safe here and every corner offers new surprises.

Tourist attractions in Arusha

Cultural Heritage Center: A large, free art gallery full of inspiring artwork.

Sokoine Road: The lively main street with the local fruit and vegetable market.

Maasai Market: Ideal for souvenirs, from wooden statues to jewelry. Be warned, haggling is a must here.

National History Museum: An interesting museum with a wing dedicated to human evolution.

Shanga: A unique workplace for people with disabilities, where beautiful, sustainable products are made from recycled materials. After a free tour of the workshop, you can also visit the shop.

Restaurant tips in Arusha

Arusha offers a varied culinary offering, from authentic local dishes to international cuisines. Here are some of our favorites:

🍛 Amber Restaurant – Located in the center of Arusha, this Indian restaurant serves a wide range of delicious meals, with many vegetarian and vegan options.

🌄 Blue Heron – On the outskirts of Arusha, enjoy a beautiful view of Mount Meru, while experiencing Western flavors in an African ambiance.

☕ Kitamu Café – The perfect place for a delicious Tanzanian coffee, combined with exotic cakes, local specialties and a warm, friendly atmosphere.

🍴 George Taverne – This Greek restaurant in the center offers an extensive intercontinental menu. Ideal for a relaxed lunch or dinner in a cozy garden.

🏨 Gran Melia – The most luxurious hotel in Arusha City, where you can enjoy a great view of the city from the roof terrace - as if you were in a large European metropolis.

🥗 Sanaa Coffeeshop – For tasty salads, juices, sandwiches and cakes in a relaxed setting.

☕ Kahawa Coffee Shop – Located on the grounds of Arusha Coffee Lodge and Shanga, where you can enjoy delicious coffee, cakes and juices. There’s even a chance to spot monkeys!

🍽 Local food – Authentic Tanzanian food is everywhere in town, such as wali maharage (rice and beans), pilau (spiced rice with vegetables), samosas or chapati (a type of pancake). If you see lots of local Tanzanians dining there, you know you’re in good hands.

Designated by the Maasai people, Randilen is a community wildlife management area of 327 km², which extends organically from Tarangire National Park's north-eastern boundary and adheres to strict ecological principles that benefit both wildlife and the community. In the dry season between July and October, wildlife is concentrated around a few water sources, particularly the Tarangire River Valley. Wildlife moves into the surrounding hills during the green season, which comes alive with lushness, flowering blooms, epic skies, and exuberant wildlife. Aside from elephant and buffalo, species most likely to be seen are giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, bushbuck, impala, lesser kudu, eland and warthog. Among the predators are lion and leopard, as well as jackals and mongoose.

Bordering Kenya to the north, the Ngorongoro Region is known for its abundance of beautiful natural features. It encompasses the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, and the active Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano. Visitors can look forward to a variety of activities such as viewing the epic Serengeti wildebeest migration, visiting a local Maasai village, soaking up the remarkably diverse scenery and catching a glimpse of the magnificent bird and wildlife including over 500 bird species, all of the Big Five, as well as crocodile, hippo, zebra, antelope, lion, leopard, and cheetah. Don’t miss the opportunity to join a walking safari, enjoy thrilling mountain biking adventures and scenic trekking.

The Serengeti together with Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Park form Africa’s most famous wildlife park. The image of acacia trees on an endless grass plain epitomises Africa for many, and then add a Masai warrior and some cattle to the picture, and the conversation need go no further. The annual wildebeest migration through the Serengeti and the Masai Mara is the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet – with more than a million animals following the rains. But that is not where the game viewing ends; large prides of lions, elephants and giraffes in grasslands, gazelles and eland to mention but a few. Aside from traditional vehicle safaris, hot-air ballooning over the Serengeti plains has become almost essential, and you can even do a horse riding safari.