The short answer
- Before a safari
- Arusha
- Before Kilimanjaro
- Moshi
- From the airport
- About 1 hour to either
- Between them
- About 1.5 hours by road
Almost every northern Tanzania trip starts at Kilimanjaro International Airport, which sits between two towns: Arusha, the safari capital, and Moshi, the base for Kilimanjaro. Most travellers spend a night or two in one of them.
Arusha or Moshi?
| Arusha | Moshi | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Starting a safari | Starting a Kilimanjaro climb |
| Feel | A busy city of about half a million | A smaller, relaxed town with Kilimanjaro views |
| Nearby | Arusha National Park, Mount Meru, coffee farms | Kilimanjaro gates, Materuni waterfalls, hot springs |
| Airport | About 1 hour to Kilimanjaro airport; Arusha Airport for light aircraft | About 45 minutes to 1 hour to Kilimanjaro airport |
Things to do with a spare day
- Arusha National Park: Giraffes, buffaloes and colobus monkeys below Mount Meru, with canoeing on the Momella lakes and walking safaris.
- Coffee tours: On farms around Arusha and on the slopes of Kilimanjaro near Moshi, from bean to cup.
- Materuni waterfalls: A hike through Chagga villages to a tall waterfall above Moshi, often combined with a coffee tour.
- Kikuletwa (Chemka) hot springs: A warm, clear pool in the bush, about an hour from Moshi.
- Mount Meru: A 3 or 4 day climb to 4,566 m, good acclimatisation before Kilimanjaro.
Safety and practical tips
- Taxis: Use a hotel transfer or a taxi arranged by your operator, especially at night. Some governments advise extra care in and around Arusha because of armed robbery.
- Touts: Arusha has many street sellers offering safaris. Book with a licensed operator instead. See choosing an operator.
- Money: Use ATMs inside banks or hotels and carry small US dollar notes for tips.
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Frequently asked questions
Should I stay in Arusha or Moshi?
Arusha before a safari, Moshi before a Kilimanjaro climb. If you're doing both, climb first from Moshi and move to Arusha afterwards.
How far is Kilimanjaro airport from Arusha?
About an hour by road; Moshi is a little closer.
Is Arusha National Park worth visiting?
Yes, for a spare day: it has giraffes, colobus monkeys and views of Mount Meru, and you can walk and canoe, which isn't possible in most northern parks.
Tanzania month by month
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