Arusha, the fourth biggest town in Tanzania offers more than
a conducive, almost predictable climate; it is the safari capital of northern
Tanzania, and acts as the gateway to Mt Meru and Kilimambogo, expeditions to
Arusha and Tarangire National Parks, wild safaris in Serengeti as well as
experiencing Lake Manyara and the enchanting Maasai culture. The town,
originally built in the 1900s as a German garrison has since grown to catch up with
other popular Tanzanian cities, and now hosts the East Africa Community
Headquarters as well as the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for
Rwanda.
Jovago’s Top 3
Apart from serving as a gateway to most of northern
Tanzania’s tourism circuit, Arusha in itself is a multi-faceted city with every
contradiction that comes with a rising urban center. The architecture depicts a
somehow balanced mélange of colonial, western and local
that seem to have long reached a non-written consensus on co-existence. The
people are warm and friendly, and whatever the town lacks in infrastructure, it
does compensate in its camaraderie and welcoming weather.
Hiking Mount Meru
Mount Meru is Africa’s fifth highest mountain at 4,565
meters and renown for charming views and postcard photography for those bold
enough to scale the volcanic rocks to the summit. Geography explains the
mystique of the intriguing horseshoe shape as stemming from a massive eruption
thousands of years ago, leaving a crater in the middle of the once
Kilimanjaro-sized giant. This hike can take 3-4 days depending on one’s fitness
and ability to acclimatize.
Arusha National Park
Shanga Shangaa –
Africa House
This is the ultimate, stop, shop
and snack hot spot in Arusha. The name is a fair translation to mean
‘amazing necklace’ an item no shopper will leave Shanga Shangaa without. This
fantastic place was set up to help people with special abilities earn a living
as well as morally support each other. Every product is made of recycled
materials, glass, beads and stones giving birth to an authentic and exquisite
collection. There’s a café that serves delicious local and Swahili cuisine, you
can also wine and dine on the lovely lawns forming a perfect way for a
leisurely spent afternoon.
Restaurants
From Chinese dumplings to
Swahili mahamri and Italian Pizzas, Arusha does not disappoint. Most of the
restaurants are centrally located in the business district with just a few
locations in the residential. Njiro road as well as Moshono area are popular
for night clubs, but as an experienced club hopper, the locals know best; make
friends, and test the cues!
Shopping
The Tanzanite Experience
is a must-go zone for best cut stones and some extensive crash-course on the
precious pebble. The shop by Maasai Women Development Organization (MWEDO) is
great for high quality beadwork. Kase on Boma road has good maps and books on
National Parks and Heritage, for the self-caterer, Soko Kuu will do great
favors to your kitchen!
Hotels
Whether on a budget-conscious trip, or seeking luxury on the
slopes of Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha has great considerations for your
ledger books! Log on to Jovago-Arusha-Hotels for all your
accommodation needs.
Fun
Fact
Arusha’s clock tower is believed to mark the midpoint
between Cairo and Cape Town-there is a huge deal of disputing bar talk as well
as Geographical evidence. Not to worry though, this vibe keeps the locals
going, and the region happy to take directions from one of Africa’s most
popular clock tower!
Safety: Whether in London, Libreville,
Amsterdam or Arusha, being street smart is critical for every newbie. Walk
confidently, avoid unnecessary crowds, negotiate like a native and don’t
display expensive jewelry, cameras and accessories downtown. You’ll be fine.
Money: Tanzanian Shilling, All International Credit Card (Visa,
MasterCard) are accepted in the ATM.
Country Code: +255
Main Airport: Arusha is served by two main airports;
Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha Municipal Airport. The former has
a good number of international flights, while the latter is mostly domestic.
Visa Requirement:
Jovago.com is an online
hotel booking service with offices in Nairobi (Kenya), Lagos (Nigeria), Dakar
(Senegal), Doula (Cameroon) and Abidjan (Ivory Coast). The company is founded
by Africa Internet Holding and has MTN as one of the investors. Jovago.com,
Africa’s No.1 booking portal, facilitates the booking process for its users to
provide them with the best hotel booking experience with fast, transparent and
easy-to-use services. Jovago.com has over 25,000 local hotel listings across
Africa and over 200,000 hotels around the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment