City in Arusha Region, Tanzania
Arusha
Safari capital at the foot of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro, with cool highland air. A practical base for Serengeti and Ngorongoro, but a dusty, busy town; book operators carefully.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$831–1,430Comfortable, one person · TSh2.2M–3.8MDetails
- Value for money67/100Better value than 66% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJan–Feb, Jun–OctWarmest: Feb, 29°CDetails
- Internet41 MbpsFixed broadband, Tanzania medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDo not drink tap water or use unfiltered ice.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$11–38Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBoltWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashCash dominates; card machines at upmarket hotels, safari companies and some restaurants, often with a surcharge.Details
Where to stay in Arusha
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Njiro and Sakina | Safari lodges and guesthouses, calmer than the center |
| Sekei and Ilboru | Hillside homestays, volunteer houses and quieter stays |
| City center (Clock Tower area) | Markets, banks, safari offices and budget hotels |
Apps that work in Arusha
Food delivery apps don't cover this area.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- M-Pesa: Mobile money payments
- SGR tickets (TRC): Dar–Morogoro–Dodoma electric train
- Taxis: Street taxis are fine if you agree the fare first. Lodges can arrange trusted drivers for airport runs and evenings.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Tanzania.
- Mostly cash Cash dominates; card machines at upmarket hotels, safari companies and some restaurants, often with a surcharge. Mobile money (M-Pesa, Airtel Money) is everywhere.
- Currency: Shilling (TZS). US$1 ≈ TSh2,648.20 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Use ATMs inside banks (CRDB, NMB, Stanbic) in towns; they sometimes run out of cash, and parks have none.
- Tipping: Tips are a big part of safari and Kilimanjaro crew pay; follow operator guidelines. Round up or add 10% in restaurants.
- Paying by phone: Register M-Pesa (Vodacom) or Airtel Money with your passport; tap-to-pay is limited outside upmarket places.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Apply for the e-visa at visa.immigration.go.tz before travel; single-entry visas are also sold on arrival at main airports and borders.
- From October 2026 mainland arrivals need NIC inbound travel insurance (about US$44, up to 92 days); Zanzibar-first arrivals buy ZIC's policy instead.
- Show a return or onward ticket at the border. Plastic bags are confiscated on arrival.
Emergency numbers
All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type D, G · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Vodacom and Airtel kiosks at Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar airports; passport and fingerprint registration required. Coverage in parks is patchy. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Tanzania
Going to Arusha solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Arusha meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.