City in Arusha Region, Tanzania
Arusha for solo travelers
Is Arusha good for solo travel?
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.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Verbal harassment and persistent touts are common; most solo women are fine with modest dress and caution. Avoid walking alone after dark. |
How to meet people in Arusha
Safari group departures, hostel overlanders and volunteer houses, Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru climbing groups, coffee tours and local language classes.
Good things to do alone
- Join a small-group Serengeti or Ngorongoro safari
- Day-hike Arusha National Park
- Take a coffee-farm tour on Mount Meru's slopes
- Visit the Cultural Heritage Centre
- Walk or cycle Maasai villages with a guide
Where to stay in Arusha
| 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 |
Solo travel across Tanzania
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Zanzibar | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Stone Town | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Nungwi | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Moshi | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Paje | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Arusha | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Dar es Salaam | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Arusha good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Safari capital at the foot of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro, with cool highland air.
How do you meet people in Arusha?
Safari group departures, hostel overlanders and volunteer houses, Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru climbing groups, coffee tours and local language classes. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Arusha?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Arusha safe for solo female travelers?
Verbal harassment and persistent touts are common; most solo women are fine with modest dress and caution. Avoid walking alone after dark.
More about Arusha
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
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.