Things To Do
in Arusha

Grilled meat (often goat or beef) served with sides like kachumbari (tomato-onion salad) and ugali; widely available at local grills and markets.

Must-Try!

A dense maize porridge (ugali) served with beef, chicken or vegetable stews — a local everyday staple found in small restaurants and homes.

Spiced rice dishes: pilau (savory, spiced rice often with beef or chicken) and wali wa nazi (coconut rice), especially common at celebratory meals and Swahili-influenced restaurants.

Skewered marinated meat (mshikaki) and fried samosas sold by street vendors and at markets — great quick bites.

Begin interactions with a polite greeting (e.g., 'Jambo' or 'Habari') and a handshake; asking 'Habari gani?' shows respect and friendliness.

Dress modestly in public, especially in residential areas and when visiting villages; avoid overly revealing clothing out of respect.

Always request permission before photographing individuals — many people expect a small fee for posed portraits and may decline.

When visiting Maasai or other traditional communities, follow the guide’s instructions, ask before entering private spaces and avoid bargaining aggressively over small purchases.

Tipping is appreciated: restaurants typically expect 5–10% if service isn’t included, guides and drivers commonly receive $10–30 per day depending on service and group size, and porters/room attendants usually get $1–3 per person per service. For small purchases and street food tipping is not required.

Cash (Tanzanian shilling, TZS) is widely used for markets, local transport and small purchases; major hotels, lodges and larger restaurants accept Visa/Mastercard. ATMs are available in Arusha but can run low on cash; mobile money services (M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa) are popular and useful locally.

Expect frequent heavy afternoon or all-day rains, muddy trails and fewer tourists; wildlife viewing can be good and landscapes are lush, but some roads or trails may be difficult.

Peak safari season — cooler mornings and evenings, drier bush making game easier to spot; expect higher prices and more tourists during July–August.

Short, often intense showers mainly in the late afternoon or overnight; vegetation remains green and crowds are lighter than mid-year.

Warmer, drier conditions with dusty roads and bright sunny days; good time for climbing and safaris but bring sun protection and stay hydrated.

Peoples such as the Meru, Chagga, Pare and others live in the surrounding highlands and form a large part of the regional population, contributing to agricultural and cultural life.

The Maasai pastoralists are culturally prominent in the region, often involved in cultural tourism experiences and maintaining traditional lifestyles in nearby rural areas.

Arusha hosts a mix of Swahili traders, small Indian and Arab communities, Tanzanian civil servants and an international expatriate community working with NGOs, tourism and diplomatic missions.

A large transient population of international tourists and seasonal workers associated with safari tourism and trekking industries.

Vegetarian options exist (ugali with vegetable stews, mchicha, rice dishes) but are more limited than meat options; ask for 'mboga' (vegetables) and specify no meat in Swahili if needed.

Possible but requires requests and care: stews often use meat stock; rely on fruits, plain rice, ugali and vegetable dishes; communicate clearly in advance at restaurants.

Halal food is commonly available given the sizable Muslim population and Swahili influences; many restaurants and meat sellers provide halal options — ask or look for halal signage.

Staples like ugali, rice and many grilled dishes are naturally gluten-free, but check for sauces and fried items that may contain wheat or be cross-contaminated.