Arusha Layover
We highly recommend the Arusha Layover option for all guests without any significant time constraints. There are dozens of accommodations in Arusha with a wide range of prices including 5-star coffee plantation resorts, private multi-bedroom villas, large international resorts, and smaller boutique hotels. Some of our favorites include Arusha Coffee Lodge, Lake Duluti Lodge, Kili Seasons Hotel and both the standard rooms and private multi-bedroom villas at Kili Villas. The following is a list of reasons why an extra night in Arusha may be a worthwhile addition to your itinerary:
- Though missed or significantly delayed connections are unusual, they do occur from time to time. An extra day in Arusha functions as a form of insurance that would protect your safari itinerary from being compromised as most international flight problems result in a delay of not more than 24 hours. With two nights in Arusha, the worst case scenario from a missed connection would mean the loss of just one night in Arusha while the main safari itinerary would remain unaffected.
- The Delta / KLM flight that most people utilize for their international airfare routing arrives late in the evening while the flight to the Serengeti departs the next day at 8.00am in the morning. By adding an extra day in Arusha, one can rest and recuperate from the long international flight before beginning the safari as well as adjust to the time difference. Being well rested and in a healthier position will ultimately lead to a more enjoyable safari experience.
- Adding an extra day in Arusha allows for opportunities to explore the charming town of Arusha for cultural and shopping excursions. The more adventurous may wish to spend the 'Arusha Layover' in the Mount Kilimanjaro region on a full day excursion to hike Materuni Waterfall or in Arusha National Park walking up the slopes of Mount Meru.
- Some international flights arrive at Kilimanjaro early in the morning. As such, you may wish to add a night at the hotel for the night before to facilitate an early check-in. Otherwise, you may have to wait until the late morning while your room is getting ready depending upon availability. For example, if your flight arrives at Kilimanjaro on August 2nd at 3.00am, you may wish to add a night to the hotel in Arusha on August 1st so that you may check-in as soon as you arrive during the early morning of August 2nd.
Arusha Activities
There are endless activities and sightseeing tours available in the Arusha-Kilimanjaro region. We've listed a few of our favorite options, though we can customize and combine activities depending upon each guest's specific interests. Please contact your ADS safari consultant for activity pricing, tipping guidelines, and further recommendations.
Sightseeing & Shopping Tour
This option includes half day use of a vehicle and guide to tour the charming town of Arusha. The tour includes general sightseeing and shopping opportunities and is often combined with a visit to a colorful Maasai market or a tour of a local coffee plantation. Some popular souvenir items in Tanzania include wooden animal carvings, African masks and picture frames, hand woven baskets, dining sets, local paintings, jewelry, safari books, and Maasai arts and crafts (beadwork, shields, spears, jewelry, etc.). Tsavorite and Tanzanite are two popular gemstones in East Africa.
Tanzanite, a bluish gemstone, is mined only in Tanzania (next to Kilimanjaro Airport) and many people think that it makes a special souvenir. One shop that we recommend is called 'Cultural Heritage'. If you like shopping, you could spend several hours at the Cultural Heritage center in Arusha - there seems to be an infinite supply of woodcarvings, tribal masks, artifacts, paintings, and Tanzanite jewelry to look through (they also sell loose stones). Cultural Heritage has a particularly good restaurant on the premises, and many of our guests have us book lunch for them there on their layover day. If you are really interested in Tanzanite, we might suggest visiting a place downtown Arusha called Tanzanite Experience. You can stop by and view Tanzanite in their show room on an impromptu basis, but if you want a tour (they have a small museum) and cutting demonstration we'll need to make arrangements for you ahead of time.
Poli Village Tour
Visit a traditional village in Arusha and learn about the culture and life of most Tanzanians. Poli is a village within the Usa River district and close to the offices of Africa Dream Safaris. Clients who wish to visit a non-touristy village will enjoy this half day excursion to the nearby village of Poli. Clients will meet with the Chairman (Mayor) of the village or a representative from his village council and learn how a village of this size is managed, along with the day-to-day issues. Site visits will include the primary school, hospital, courthouse, and the village offices. This tour is usually a highlight for clients seeking cultural interactions and insight into the life of most Tanzanians.