Arusha sits below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley, in a temperate highland region within reach of the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Olduvai Gorge, Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru itself. It is also a diplomatic and conference city, home to the East African Community and a branch of an international tribunal, and its population is a mix of indigenous African, Arab-Tanzanian, Indian-Tanzanian and smaller European and North American communities.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple. The city centre holds the clock tower, banks, the bus station and most of the hotels, while accommodation also spreads outward along the main roads toward the airport, Moshi, Nairobi and Dodoma, and into villages and neighbourhoods on the edge of town. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, what each is like, and how the choice changes with your budget and your reason for visiting.
Best areas to stay in Arusha
1. City centre
The centre is where you find the largest concentration of hotels, from basic rooms to comfortable mid-range places, along with restaurants, banks and the bus station. It suits first-time visitors and anyone without their own transport, because the clock tower, the museums and the main services are within walking distance and day trips can be arranged from here.
Expect some noise: rooms on the roadside are described as very noisy, and the bus station area is busy. The centre is also where you are most likely to be approached by touts, so agree a price directly rather than through someone who intercepts you.
2. Around the clock tower and nearby streets
The blocks a few minutes' walk from the clock tower include quiet, simple places to stay, among them rooms run by a religious order offering both dormitory-style and smaller rooms, with food and drinks available. This suits budget travellers and solo visitors who want to be close to the centre without being on top of the bus station.
It is a short walk from the clock tower, banks and local attractions, which makes it convenient if you plan to spend your days in town and leave early for excursions.
3. Kijenge and the Old Moshi Road area
Kijenge lies north-east of the centre along Nyerere Road, past the Impala Roundabout and across a bridge. It is a residential-feeling area with hostel-style accommodation, in-house meals and internet access, reached by following a dirt road up to a landmark building.
This suits longer-staying travellers and those with a vehicle or willingness to take taxis, since it is outside the immediate centre. The trade-off is a quieter setting and more space in exchange for not being able to walk to everything.
4. Sekei
Sekei is a village-like area on the access road between the Moshi and Nairobi roads, about a ten-minute drive from the town centre. Accommodation here takes the form of garden rooms attached to larger lodges, with access to the main lodge facilities.
It suits travellers who want a calmer base with greenery while still being a short drive from town, and it works well if you have arranged transport or are happy to use taxis for meals and errands.
5. Makao Mapya
Makao Mapya is a local neighbourhood with guesthouse-style accommodation, where some rooms have private bathrooms with hot showers and western toilets, and where you find restaurants and a bar on site. It is a good fit for budget travellers who want a local rather than tourist-oriented setting.
Because it is a residential area rather than the centre, plan on using transport to reach the main sights and services, and confirm the exact location in advance as the area is identified by nearby landmarks.
6. Serengeti Road
Serengeti Road, on the northern side of the city, is where you find lodge-style accommodation set in gardens and older properties, including places with pools, bars and reliable hot water. It suits travellers looking for a mid-range or upmarket stay with more space and quieter surroundings than the centre.
You will need transport for the centre and for errands, but the road is a straightforward run into town and a convenient starting point for excursions heading north and west.
7. Moshi and Nairobi Road
The main roads out toward Moshi and Nairobi carry a mix of accommodation, including larger hotels set in wildlife sanctuaries and lodges on the city's edge. This suits travellers who want scenery and facilities on site, and those breaking a journey between Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport, which lies about 60 kilometres east, roughly halfway to Moshi.
Distances are longer here, so a car or arranged transfers make the area work; without them you will spend more time and money on getting into town.
8. Meserani and the Dodoma Road
Meserani is a village about 16 kilometres out along the Dodoma Road, where you find lively accommodation with popular bars and good services at very low prices. It suits budget travellers and overlanders who value a social atmosphere and low costs over proximity to the city.
The distance from the centre is the main practical point: you are committing to a rural base and will need transport for anything in town, including the airport and the bus station.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: dormitory and basic double rooms, guesthouses and hostel-style accommodation, some run by churches or religious orders, with shared or private bathrooms, occasional hot water, and simple breakfasts. Some budget options sit well outside the centre, and roadside rooms can be noisy.
- Mid-range: private rooms with air conditioning, television and wifi in central or near-central locations, plus lodges and garden properties with pools, bars and more reliable hot water. Breakfast is often included.
- Splurge: luxury lodges and small boutique properties in and around the city, some with only a handful of individually decorated rooms, set in gardens or near wildlife, with the highest standard of accommodation and the scenery to match.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the city centre. It puts you within walking distance of the clock tower, banks, restaurants and the bus station, and it is where the widest range of accommodation and the easiest access to day trips are found. If noise is a concern, choose a room away from the roadside, and deal directly with reception rather than with anyone who approaches you on the street.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Arusha from the airport?
Kilimanjaro International Airport serves international travellers and lies about 60 kilometres east, roughly halfway to Moshi. Arusha Airport is a regional hub in the west of the city. Road travel is possible by privately run coaches to Nairobi, Dodoma, Dar es Salaam and other towns.
Which areas are best if I am travelling on a tight budget?
Budget travellers commonly base themselves at Maasai Camp, about a 45-minute walk from the city centre, or at the Snake Park in Meserani, about 16 kilometres out on the Dodoma Road. Both are lively, with popular bars and good services at very low prices. Quieter basic rooms are also available a few minutes from the clock tower.
Where should I stay if I want somewhere quiet?
Look outside the immediate centre, in areas such as Sekei, Kijenge or along Serengeti Road, where accommodation sits in gardens or residential streets. Within the centre, avoid rooms on the roadside, which are described as very noisy.
How do I avoid being overcharged by touts?
Touts are people hired by hotels or hostels to bring in travellers, and their commission can add several dollars to your price. If you are travelling as a couple, one person can wait with the bags while the other views the room, which often results in a cheaper price and less attention from touts.
Compare live prices for the areas that suit your plans using the booking tools on this page.