Things to do in Arusha (and Moshi)
If you’re heading to northern Tanzania, chances are you’re either here to hike Mount Kilimanjaro or you’ve just finished the climb and want to unwind for a few days, figuring out things to do in Arusha and Moshi. Arusha and Moshi are the two main bases for Kilimanjaro trekkers. And, while most people pass through quickly, there’s actually a good bit to explore on your own.
Unfortunately, when we visited, Kilimanjaro refused to make an appearance. Five days, not a single clear view!! It definitely dampened my mood a bit since we weren’t hiking it ourselves (maybe one day!). Still, both Arusha and Moshi were fascinating to explore, each with its own vibe. Moshi felt a little more local and interesting to me, while Arusha, being one of Tanzania’s biggest cities, had a bit more of a commercial feel and caters more to group tours than independent travelers.
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Getting Between Arusha and Moshi
It’s very easy (and cheap!) to travel between Arusha and Moshi by bus. The route is popular, the road is in good condition, and minibuses run frequently throughout the day. That’s exactly how we did it, and it couldn’t have been simpler.
Where to stay around Mt. Kilimanjaro
I wrote up a post about where to stay in both Arusha and Moshi based on what options I considered (and chose) for our trip. Check out some of the options while you figure out things to do in Arusha and Moshi.
What to Do in Arusha and Moshi
I’ve got a Google Maps List of things to do in Arusha and Moshi from below. Access it here. (I’m feeling too lazy to put this into an Offline Guide as I do for my other city itineraries!)
To get a more local experience, you can go on a walking tour of Arusha. This is usually a good way to start the beginning of your stay in a new city, and you’ll get a lot of local insight and recommendations.
Arusha city vibe
Go Tanzanite Shopping in Arusha
Tanzanite is one of the rarest gemstones in the world, and the only known mine is located just a few kilometers from Arusha. That makes buying tanzanite here a pretty special experience, even if it’s not that much cheaper than abroad.
I bought a beautiful ring at Blue Zebra Art, which also has an in-house tanzanite shop. You’ll receive a certificate of authenticity, and the selection ranges from small souvenirs to serious investment pieces (some going for $20,000+!). Mine was around $500, which felt reasonable for a lovely piece and a memorable experience.
This ring is so nice but it was $5,000!
Another spot I liked was this small, family-run operation. The wife runs the store, and her husband works in the mine. They have simpler, more affordable options.
Check Out the Art Galleries
If you enjoy art, you’ll love exploring Arusha’s galleries. Blue Zebra Art doubles as both an art space and a tanzanite boutique (which I just explained above), with a fantastic collection in the basement. Prices are high, but even if you’re just browsing, it’s a beautiful space to visit.
I didn’t make it to the Shanga Workshop at the Arusha Coffee Lodge, but it’s known for its unique setting. You can watch artisans at work and buy their handmade pieces.
And don’t miss the Cultural Heritage Centre, the largest art gallery in Arusha, showcasing work from all over East Africa. A Rwandan artist I follow on Instagram even messaged me to ask if I’d seen his pieces there!
Go to KiliKafee Coffee Roastery
Hidden behind a car wash, KiliKafee Coffee Roastery is a little gem for coffee lovers. You can pop in for a mini tour. The staff are friendly and will happily explain the different beans. Ask to buy the Peaberry, a small and delicate coffee bean unique to this region. Prices here were great, so grab a bag or two to take home.
Eat Local Food
Don’t skip out on the local food scene! Here are the places we ate or planned to eat during our trip:
Here is my Google Maps List of all the cafes and restaurants in both cities that I liked! Save the list to access it later.
In Arusha
- Khan’s Barbecue on the bonnet: Locally known as “chicken on the bonnet.” This open-air spot serves grilled chicken right off a car hood. Authentic and delicious, bring your appetite
- Africafe: I had an amazing spiced coffee here. I tried to buy the spice mixture, but it’s a secret recipe made in-house only. I also enjoyed the breakfast burrito.
- Sanna Cafe: Stop by for an afternoon coffee.
- Kaffé Koffee Arusha: Another good caffeine stop.
In Moshi
- Kuonana Africa Restaurant: This was our favorite meal! Great bean dishes, tasty hot sauce, and a few friendly cats roaming around.
- SsoH Coffee: amazing light roast coffee and surprisingly good Korean food (it’s run by Koreans) if you’re craving something different.
- Coffee Union Cafe: casual and perfect for a mid-day break.
- Shaonaro Restaurant: authentic local food, flavorful and affordable, that has Zanzibar pizza!
- Milan’s Restaurant for Indian vegetarian food has great reviews.
- Shukran Restaurant & Cafe also has good reviews, but we didn’t have time to go.
Moshi City Vibes
Nature Adventures
Mangalia Waterfalls
A fun half-day trip from Arusha! You can take a tuk-tuk to the entrance, pay a small fee, and hike down to the falls. Swimming is possible, but the water can be cold and rough.
If you manage to cross to the other side, there’s a swing where you can take super fun photos with the waterfall in the distance.
There’s also a small coffee shop near the entrance where you can do a quick tasting afterward. I met a guide who does tours there, info below.
We took a tuktuk to get there!
Napuru Waterfalls
Napuru is another scenic waterfall worth checking out near Arusha, if you’re looking for adventure. We didn’t have a chance to go, but there are other activities on site as well.
Biking around Moshi
This biking tour of Moshi sounds like a really fun adventure through sugarcane fields and villages with backdrops of Kili. I wish we had done this!
Chemka Hot Springs
Chemka Hot Springs (also called Kikuletwa Hot Springs) is an absolute must-visit while you’re in the area. It’s about 1–1.5 hours from either Arusha or Moshi, and the drive takes you through small villages and open plains.
Try to arrive early, around 9 to 10 am, and you’ll likely have the turquoise pools almost to yourself. By noon, larger tour groups start to arrive.
The water is naturally warm and crystal clear, so even on cloudy days, it’s amazing for a dip.
Entrance: 10,000 TZS
Getting there:
- Book via a private guide (around $80 per person, including lunch and transfers)
- This one takes you to a coffee plantation as well (and is only $60 compared to what we did when we organized with our hotel)
- Or, go local! Take public transport toward the airport, get off at the Chemka sign, and hire a tuk-tuk from there (~$20–$35 total round trip).
Food is available outside the gate (order when you arrive). You can rent goggles and tubes.
Watch out for the tiny fish… They’re harmless but love to nibble if you stay still too long.
Also, beware of accidentally drinking the water if you do the rope swing. A friend went after we did and got some sort of parasite that appeared a few days after visiting the hot springs. We think it’s from Chemka.
Check out a brewery
If you’re craving a beer or a casual hangout, stop by Twiga Brewery for local craft brews and a relaxed vibe.
Hiking
Even if you’re not summiting Kilimanjaro, you can still enjoy the region’s incredible scenery. Consider:
- A day hike on Mount Kilimanjaro. The two best options for this are:
- Londorossi Gate for hiking to the first hut base camp. This was a nice hike and makes you think you could potentially reach the top of Kili, haha. This is what we did.
- The Lemosho route is supposed to have the best views while hiking.
- A Mount Meru walking safari apparently offers some of the best views of giraffes. Unfortunately, we only saw some water buffalo on our tour. We first attempted to do a day hike of Mount Mosh, but it’s not possible to do that unless you book the full 3-day hike. You’re required to have an armed guard.
A note on guides and tours
I felt that we were forced to have a lot of guides that aren’t necessary. Instead of doing what we did (which was to organize a tour in advance), I suggest you rock up to the gate and insist on the lowest number of guides you can. For both hikes, we not only had our own tour guide (for the Moshi hike our tour operator sent two guides??) we booked in advance, but the park sent a junior guide in training. Although it’s a great concept, I felt super crowded on my tours and was generally unhappy with this as… idk exactly how to put it, but I don’t like a lot of chatter on my tours (esp since the guides and guards were just talking to each other). Every time I asked a question, it felt like I was interrupting, and often I was talked over by the others.
The Londorossi Gate for Kili has a few shops right before the entrance of the park, where you can get a guide. You do need a guide, but maybe state that you just want your guide and not others to join? I’m not sure of the right way to go about this. Maybe it was also the season we visited, in which there were just more guides available to join hikes?
Safari
The Ngorongoro Crater is about 3.5 hours from Arusha (and 5.5 hours from Moshi), and it’s a popular spot for a day safari. It’d be best to organize a day tour with a guide in order to do this activity. This tour has the best reviews from what I saw on GetYourGuide and Viator. It’s a little pricey at $325, but it seems like the operators are on time and give a good experience. Let me know if you do it so I can update this.
Hope you enjoy your trip!