Base
Day Trips From Arusha
Arusha-Based Excursions
-
-
Trips Listed
3 Arusha Departures
-
Group size
Private & small group
-
Ideal for
Pre/post safari, layovers
Making the Most of a Day in Arusha
Arusha is the gateway to the Northern Circuit — most Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire safaris start and end here, and it's also the usual staging point for a Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru climb. That leaves a lot of travelers with a spare morning or a full free day in Arusha town: the night before an early safari departure, a rest day between a climb and a flight home, or a stopover while a group safari fills up. Rather than spending it at the hotel, these are the realistic, bookable half-day and full-day options that actually depart from Arusha itself.
This is a different list from our general Day Trips & Short Tours hub, which mostly covers waterfall and hot-spring trips around Moshi at the foot of Kilimanjaro — useful if you're based there instead, but a long drive if you're staying in Arusha. Everything below is grouped specifically for someone who is in or near Arusha town right now and wants something worth doing without eating into safari or travel days.
Why base a day trip out of Arusha
-
Short drive times — everything on this list is under two hours from Arusha town
-
No need to book hotels twice — return to your Arusha accommodation the same evening
-
Good use of a rest day between a Kilimanjaro/Meru climb and a safari or flight
-
Private vehicle transfers arranged directly with a local operator, not a third-party OTA
Arusha Day Trips We Run
1 Day
Arusha National Park Day Trip Safari
The obvious pick if you only have one day: walking safaris below Mount Meru, canoeing on the Momella Lakes, giraffes and flamingos, all a short drive from Arusha town.
From $180 / Per Person
Half Day
Serval Wildlife Sanctuary Day Tour
A shorter, lower-cost option right outside Arusha: rescued lions, leopards and primates at a wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary. Good for a half-day slot or a family with young kids.
From $95 / Per Person
2–3 Days
Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai
Not a same-day trip, but the closest overnight adventure to Arusha worth flagging here: a night ascent of Tanzania's active volcano near Lake Natron, departing from Moshi or Arusha.
Custom quote / Contact Us
Looking for something further out, or based in Moshi instead? See the full Day Trips & Short Tours hub, or ask us about a private Mount Meru climb — also an Arusha departure and easily combined with any of the trips above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best day trip from Arusha if I only have one day?
For most travelers it's Arusha National Park. It's the only nearby park where you can do a walking safari, it has Mount Meru and (on a clear day) Kilimanjaro views, and it's roughly 45 minutes from Arusha town, leaving plenty of daylight for the visit itself.
Can I do a day trip from Arusha the same day I arrive or before an early safari departure?
The Serval Wildlife Sanctuary tour is the easiest fit for a short window since it's a half-day visit close to town — a practical option if your safari or flight leaves the same evening or the next morning.
Are these trips different from the day trips near Moshi?
Yes. Materuni Waterfalls, Chemka Hot Springs, Lake Chala and similar trips on our Day Trips hub depart from Moshi, at the base of Kilimanjaro, roughly 90 minutes from Arusha. If you're staying in Arusha town specifically, the trips on this page are the ones that don't require a long transfer first.
Do you provide private transport for Arusha day trips?
Yes, every trip above includes a private vehicle and English-speaking guide, with pickup from your Arusha hotel and drop-off the same day (Ol Doinyo Lengai is the exception, as an overnight trip). Contact us with your hotel and dates and we'll confirm availability.
