Practical tips about Arusha, in Tanzania
Arusha is a city in Tanzania visited mostly for those who are planning to do a safari in Serengeti or Ngorongoro, or to climb Kilimanjaro.
To read about what to do in Arusha, check this other post. Let´s talk about the practical tips to who is traveling there.
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GETTING THERE
The main city in Tanzania is Dar es Salaam – to go from there to Arusha by bus, it takes about 10 hours (if the trip is not delayed). There many companies offering the tour, though the most known ones are Dar Express and Kilimanjaro Express.
A semi luxe bus ticket (without aircon) costs 32,000 shillings (aprox U$ 16); the Luxe bus ticket costs U$ 36,000 (with aircon). Both have a toilet inside the bus.
From Nairobi to Arusha it takes 6 hours by shuttle bus (it takes about one hour to cross the border, as you do your Visa on arrival). The main bus companies are Millenium and Impala.
From Moshi to Arusha it takes about 1:30 by bus, there are buses or shuttle buses every hour.
Arusha has a small airport, for flights inside the country – international flights arrive at Kilimanjaro airport (50 km from Arusha).
Are you going to Arusha? Here you can check all the accommodation options, from hostels to hotels and resorts. And if you book it through this link, you help to maintain this blog online, and you don´t have to pay anything for that.
VISA
You can do your visa on arrival, it´s very practical and easy. Although the Tanzania Embassy site tells you to do it advance, there´s no need of it.
You gotta have your Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate (otherwise you can take the vaccine shot there at the border).
When you arrive at the border with Kenya, the first thing you have to do is to show your yellow fever vaccination card. Then you fill the form they give you, and present it at the Visa window, where they take your photo and register your fingertips.
After that, all you have to do is to pay for the visa at the next window outside (50 U$ dollars), and come back to the Visa window to get your stamped passport.
The regular visa is valid for entering only one time in the country, and it´s valid for 3 months. You can also ask for a multiple entries visa, in case you need it.
Bloggers tip: Travel safe using the best travel insurance, which covers even adventure sports! Get a quote here
GETTING AROUND
The easiest way to move around Arusha is by Dalla Dalla, the public mini buses that run all around the city. There´ll always be someone shouting the destination, otherwise you can just ask. They´re super cheap, from Njiro to town you pay 400 shillings (about U$ 0,40).
You can also take taxis to move around, there are plenty of them at the Clock Tower.
EATING
Nick’s Pub is a great place for eating barbecue – their specialty is fish, accompanied by chips or grilled bananas, just delicious! You can also order chicken there.
Other good options are Khan´s Barbecue (Indian/barbecue place), Africafe and GreenHut (a cozy place near the clock tower, with cheap local food).
I stayed at a brand new hostel called Villa Poa and I really enjoyed the place. It´s a big antique house, with a huge garden to chill, and a very friendly staff.
It opened in June of 2016. The atmosphere is great, the guests usually meet and talk at the sitting room or at the balcony outside. It´s a very good place for meeting people.
The hostel has rooms for two and four people, and dorms for 6. The bathrooms are shared (one of the rooms have a private bathroom, the others don´t). The breakfast is included on the price.
It´s located outside the town, but you can easily get there in 10 minutes by dalla dalla. Also, when you arrive at the city, they offer to pick you up at the bus station or at the airport.
To see more info about Villa Poa hostel, check it here.
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How about you? Have you already been to Arusha and do you have some cool tips about the city? Or do you plan to visit it and have some doubts? Share your ideas leaving a comment here!
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Planning your trip:
– Accommodation: you can book your accommodation here – hotels/hostels comparing and free booking cancel
– Travel Insurance: travel safe using the best travel insurance that covers even adventure sports – get a quote here
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The blogger stayed in Villa Poa by invitation of the hostel. I’d like to thank again for the opportunity, and also make it clear that all the opinions present here are independent and personal.
