Hotels in Arusha

Arusha: Gateway to Kilimanjaro and the Northern Safari Circuit

Arusha sits at 1,400 metres above sea level in northern Tanzania, flanked by Mount Meru (4,566 m) to the west and roughly 80 km from the base of Kilimanjaro. The city of approximately 416,000 people serves as the operational hub for the Northern Safari Circuit — Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara all depart from here. The Arusha National Park boundary begins just 30 km from the city centre, making it possible to spot colobus monkeys and flamingos within an hour of arrival.

Where to Stay in Arusha

Hotels concentrate in three zones: the Central Business District around Boma Road, the quieter Njiro suburb to the east, and the Sakina area near the main safari outfitter strip. Budget guesthouses cluster along India Street; mid-range lodges with gardens line the road toward Arusha National Park. The city hosted the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda from 1995 to 2015, which drew a sustained international professional community and shaped the current range of business-class hotels.

Practical Tips

• Altitude: At 1,400 m, evenings are cool year-round — pack a layer even in July.
• Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS); USD widely accepted at hotels.
• Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) lies 46 km east; transfer takes about 45 minutes.
• Visas: Most nationalities require a Tanzanian e-visa, applied for online before travel.