Things to do in Arusha

Q: What are the top things to do in Arusha?

The top things to do in Arusha are: Lake Manyara National Park Ol Doinyo Lengai (Mountain of God) Meserani Snake Park Mount Meru Arusha National Park

Q: What are the top activities in Arusha?

Top activities in Arusha include: Lake Manyara National Park Full-Day Tour from Arusha Horse safaris in Tanzania Materuni Waterfalls, coffee tour & Kikuletwa Hot Springs Ngorongoro Crater Day Trip day trip tarangire

Q: What are the top things to do near Arusha?

Check out things to do near Arusha: Moshi Nairobi Mombasa Zanzibar City Dar es Salaam

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Top 10 attractions in Arusha

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Lake Manyara National Park

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If you want to see many birds and mammals in one spot, you've come to the right place. This national park in northern Tanzania provides a refuge not only to mammals such as buffalo and zebras but also to all sorts of birds, particularly flamingos. The park protects Lake Manyara and its surrounding lands and is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.More

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Ol Doinyo Lengai (Mountain of God)

North of Arusha, near the Gregory Rift and Lake Natron, Ol Doinyo Lengai, or the "Mountain of God," is notable as the only place on earth to erupt a unique type of thinner, less viscose (and therefore faster flowing) magma known as natrocarbonatite, which is initially black or brown and turns white as snow as it cools.More

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Meserani Snake Park

Traveler to Meserani Snake Park can feed baboons, hold wild tortoises and get up close with dozens of slithering snakes. Expert guides explain the difference between each of the species protected at Meserani and explore the necessary steps to protect people from their poison.In addition to lethal black mamba, spitting cobras and the impressive African python, Meserani Snake Park is also home to monitor lizards, crocodiles and other reptiles. Travelers can wander the grounds, explore the exhibits, and even venture to the nearby clinic that provides free medical services to the Maasai people. A popular cultural museum offers an opportunity to learn more about this iconic culture and the festive Snake Park Bar is a perfect spot to sip a cool drink and catch some serious shade after a day under the African sun.More

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Mount Meru

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Tanzania's second-highest mountain (after Kilimanjaro), Mount Meru attracts hikers with its easy and moderate trails and its outstanding scenery. Its location in the heart of Arusha National Park makes it an easy-to-reach destination for travelers staying in the nearby city of Arusha. It gets fewer crowds than Kilimanjaro.More

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Arusha National Park

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A short drive from Arusha, this compact park is an exceptional place to see wildlife, such as giraffes and zebras, both on foot and from the comfort of a safari vehicle. The park is also home to Mount Meru, a popular hiking destination and the second-highest mountain in Tanzania after Kilimanjaro.More

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Olduvai Gorge

Famed for its natural beauty, as well as the evidence it has produced about human evolution, Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge is also a popular stop for tourists. Also called Oldupai, the official name since 2005, the gorge is where Mary and Louis Leakey discovered evidence some of the oldest known human species here, and excavations continue to this day. In fact, it was one of the Leakey sons who would find a fossil fragment of the first human species in Olduvai Gorge in 1960.Olduvai Gorge is known by some as the “cradle of humankind,” with evidence of human species inhabiting the area roughly 1.9 million years ago.More

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Marangu

The gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro's most popular route, the market town of Marangu is often the last place people stop before heading off on a summiting adventure. The village thrives mainly on the tourism industry, with many hotels, guesthouses, shops, restaurants, and services catering to international trekkers.More

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Tengeru

Just east of Arusha, Tengeru is a small mountain village best known for its coffee research programs. While many visitors simply pass through on their way to Arusha National Park and Mount Moshi, Tengeru offers a few draws of its own, including schools that welcome travelers wishing to volunteer.More

Amani Children's Home

Founded in 2001, Amani Centre for Street Children provides housing, food, medical care, and education to houseless Tanzanian children. Amani welcomes volunteers for short- and long-term projects, and many travelers donate a few days of their time to give back to the community.More

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Mshiri Village

On the outskirts of Marangu, Mshiri Village is an excellent spot for travelers to learn about the indigenous Chagga people of the area. While many people just pass through on their way to hike nearby Kilimanjaro, it's worth sticking around for a while to learn about the cultural and culinary traditions of the region.More