📍 Destination Overview
Arusha is a hub city on a high plateau in northern Tanzania, at about 1,400 m, with a pleasantly cool climate. Nearly all safaris to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro begin here; Mount Meru rises to the north. Coffee plantations you can tour, Arusha National Park, the Cultural Heritage Centre and Maasai markets make it an ideal base for the northern circuit.
🏙️ Location
Tanzania · Northern Highlands · northern safari gateway
🗓️ Best Season
Dec
Feb / Jun—Oct
🕐 Time Difference
5 hrs behind Beijing
💰 Currency / Language
Tanzanian Shilling TZS / Swahili, English
🕐 Suggested Duration
1-2 days · regroup & resupply + outskirts + coffee farms
🔌 Outlet / Voltage
Type D / G (mostly British) · 230V · adapter needed
☀️ Best Time to Visit & Climate
🌤️ Jan–Feb, Jun–Oct, Dec
Jan–Feb, Jun–Oct and Dec are the driest — safari routes to the Serengeti are most reliable.
Jan
🌤️
27°/14°
Good
Feb
🌤️
28°/14°
Good
Mar
🌧️
27°/15°
Apr
🌧️
25°/15°
May
🌧️
23°/14°
Jun
🌤️
22°/11°
Good
Jul
🌤️
21°/10°
Good
Aug
🌤️
23°/11°
Good
Sep
🌞
25°/11°
Good
Oct
🌞
27°/13°
Good
Nov
🌧️
26°/14°
Dec
🌤️
26°/14°
Good
🎯 Arusha Experiences
Safari Assembly
The starting point up north.
Mount Meru
The city's backdrop.
Coffee Farms
A highland experience.
Arusha Park
Wildlife on the outskirts.
Maasai Market
Craft shopping.
Arusha is warm year-round; the best time to visit is Jun–Oct and Dec–Feb, with temperatures around 10–28°C. Other months range 14–27°C, with fewer crowds and better value.
🚌 Transport & Stays
City Transport
✈️About 45 min (ref.)
Kilimanjaro Airport
Northern air gateway
About 45 min (ref.)
🚙Per item (ref.)
Safari Vehicles
To the national parks
Per item (ref.)
🚗Per trip (ref.)
Taxi / Charter
City and outskirts
Per trip (ref.)
🚌By schedule (ref.)
Long-distance Bus
To Dar es Salaam, etc.
By schedule (ref.)
Recommended Stay Areas
🏙️ City Center (top pick)
Near travel-agency district
☕ Coffee Estate Hotels
Rural outskirts
🏔️ Foot of Mount Meru
Near the national park
✈️ Around the Airport
Convenient for transit
Free Consultation
Free Consultation
1-on-1 travel consultant customizes your Arusha trip for free based on your schedule and preferences.