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ARUSHA

Arusha is the safari capital of East Africa, a bustling, vibrant town with the streets filled with 4X4 game viewing vehicles criss-crossing the potholed roads. Maasai warriors in full regalia stroll the streets, mingling with tourists in crisp khaki, fresh off the plane from Europe or the United States. If you’re flying in on a pre-organized safari, you are unlikely to spend much time in Arusha, as your hosts will whisk you through on the way to one of the great game parks.

This is a pity, because Arusha is the kind of place where you can get a whiff of what modern Africa is all about. At the nearby International Conference Centre, some of the most important peace treaties and international agreements in modern African history have been signed. The Rwandan war crimes tribunals were held here, as have been several attempts to broker peace in the Great Lakes States. The curio markets crammed between the Clock Tower and India Road are filled with high quality crafts, and are a great deal cheaper than the purpose-built curio shops outside of town to which most tour guides take you. But beware of pickpockets in the busy streets.

For independent travellers, the offices of the National Parks authority in the International Conference Centre is a good place to pick up literature and maps, and to find out details of entry to the parks. The coffee-growing town of Moshi is the nearest town to the trailheads on Kilimanjaro, although most travellers do their outfitting and organising in Arusha. For birders, anglers and lovers of primates with a bit of time on their hands, Lake Duluti, on the Moshi road, is one of Africa’s hidden gems. There’s a campsite and small, rudimentary pub, and it is a classic place to while away a lazy afternoon. 
 

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Tanzania Safaris & Tours

Tanzania is the most popular destination for safaris in the world!  Click here to view our most popular tours and safaris in Tanzania.

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Visit our safari website, safari.go2africa.com, for a selection of accommodation and tours in this area.


OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE KILIMANJARO REGION
Arusha Arusha National Park
Kilimanjaro Area Mkomazi Game Reserve
Mount Kilimanjaro


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