ARUSHA National Park is a popular destination for day trip visitors who are about to embark from the town of Arusha on longer northern circuit safaris. The small national park includes the slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mt. Meru, the Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and the lush highland forests that blanket its lower slopes.

Climbing Mt. Meru or enjoying the smaller trails that criss-cross its lower slopes is a popular activity for visitors to Arusha National Park. The three-day trek to reach the crater’s summit is a quieter, and some say more challenging alternative than the famous peak of nearby Mount Kilimanjaro.

Along the lower slopes, the paths to rivers and waterfalls create a relaxing day hike for visitors who don’t want to attempt the rather arduous climb. Ancient fig tree forests, crystal clear waters cascading from mountain streams, and a chance to spot colobus monkeys are the attractions and pleasures of Arusha National Park.

Located just a few hours drive from the town of Arusha, Tarangire is a popular stop for people travelling through the northern safari circuit on their way to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. The park extends into two game controlled areas and the wildlife is allowed to move freely throughout.

Before the rains, droves of gazelles, wildebeests, zebras, and giraffes migrate to Tarangire National Park’s scrub plains where the last grazing land still remains. Tarangire offers an unparalleled game viewing, and during the dry season elephants abound.

Families of the pachyderms play around the ancient trunks of baobab trees and strip acacia bark from the thorn trees for their afternoon meal. Breathtaking views of the Maasai Steppe and the mountains in the south make a stopover at Tarangire a memorable experience.

Chemka Hot Springs in Moshi, Tanzania also known by some as Maji Moto, known locally as Kikuletwa Hotsprings, is paradisiac oasis amidst the Tanzanian savannah. The crystal clear springs offers captivating, Bounty-styled views, and dense vegetation around making it a real oasis in the middle of the African plains.

The Chemka Hot Springs is located in an area locally known as Rundugai a merely 2-hour drive from Moshi (Tanzania) which is the main climbing hub for Mt Kilimanjaro climbing and approximately the same distance from Arusha the safari hub of Northern Tanzania and Africa.

A visit to the Chemka Hot Springs is a great way to start or finish your Kilimanjaro climbing tour or Tanzania wildlife safari tour if you want to visit Tanzania for a wildlife viewing adventure.

You’ll depart from your Arusha or Moshi hotel and make the two-hour drive to Maji Moto. This scenic drive takes you off the tourist trail and offers a glimpse into local life: bustling markets, local farms, and the like.

You’ll then spend a few hours soaking in the pleasantly warm waters, swinging on the rope swing, relaxing in the sun-dappled shade of the trees, and feasting on local favourites such as chips maiyai (a French fry omelette) and nyama choma (BBQ).

After your fun in the sun, you’ll return to your lodge or continue on to your next destination.

Tanzanian coffee is famous around the world for its rich flavors, so why not go straight to the source and try it for yourself?

The Kahawa coffee plantation is located in the village of Nkoaranga, about 25 kilometers from Arusha. Here, you’ll have the chance to tour a working coffee plantation, roast and grind your own beans, and enjoy a hot cup of the freshest coffee you’ll ever have.

Couple this with a hot local lunch and your own bag of Tanzanian coffee beans to bring home and you’ve got the recipe for a delicious cultural experience.

The Coffee Walk is a walking day trip, and can also be done in a couple of hours, if you are in a hurry. Many people like to do this tour before or after a safari, or before travelling home with their evening flight.