Arusha Sights and things to do.

Go to Arusha town itself.

Moivaro Village Walk

Take a walk in Moivaro village to see everyday life in Tanzania and make closer contact with the people. You can visit a local banana brewery and sample its beer; or hear the story of a local eccentric, and marvel at the tree house he fashioned for himself. There is a chance to learn about coffee and banana farming. A walk is typically 2 hours long and can involve a climb up Oldonyo Maas Hill for those looking for a more demanding experience.

Moivaro School & Nursery Project

Moivaro Lodge has been providing financial support to a primary school in Moivaro village since 2003. 1040 students currently attend the school. A newly renovated Nursery School will also soon open its doors to young learners in 2008 as a result of support from the Lodge. (B)

Central Market. There you can buy herbs, spices, sandals made from old tyres, colourful kangas, traditional medicines and other produce including baobab seeds and tamarind, both of which can be sucked like sweets. Open daily, 7am-6pm.

Arusha:

Located in the northern highlands of Tanzania, beneath the twin peaks of Mt. Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha is the safari capital of the country. Guests embarking on the popular northern safari circuit all stop in the ‘Geneva of Africa’ to prepare for their journeys into the African bush. From is two-lane streets, the dramatic crater of Mt. Meru stands over the town like a majestic sentinel, it’s crater strewn with thick clouds, it’s slopes dark with verdant forest. Arusha’s ideal location near the major national parks and it’s highland setting make it a peaceful idyll of relaxation before the start of an exciting journey.

Built by the Germans as a centre of colonial administration administration in the early 20th century, Arusha was a sleepy town with a garrison stationed at the old boma and a few shops around a grassy roundabout. From its backwater status amidst the farmlands and plantations of northern Tanzania, today Arusha is one of the country’s most prosperous towns. The site for the United Nations Criminal Tribunal on the Rwandan genocide and the headquarters for the Tripartite commission for East African Co-operation, Arusha is a major centre of Tanzanian diplomacy and international relations.

Shopping

Arusha has a vast range of souvenirs to choose from, bringing together arts and crafts from all over the country, as well as from Kenya (especially luridly coloured soapstone carvings) and reproduction tribal masks from Central and western Africa. Typical items include Makonde woodcarvings, bright Tingatinga paintings, batiks, musical instruments (the metal-tongued "thumb pianos" of the Gogo, from around Dodoma, are great fun, as are the slender zeze fiddles), Maasai bead jewellery and a whole lot more.

The main concentration of souvenir shops is in the eastern part of the centre between Goliondoi and Boma roads, and there are also dozens of stalls at the CCM Building on Fire Road, south of the Arusha Resort Center. Most of the salesmen have mastered the "but how am I going to feed my family" line of patter, so you might like to pay a first visit with no money to get a feel for it. Prices are rarely, if ever, fixed, and depend entirely on your bargaining skills. Luckily, getting a decent final price isn't too difficult thanks to the welter of competing stalls (you can play them off against each other). For advice on bargaining techniques. Also worth mentioning is Msumbi Coffees at the TFA Shopping Centre on Sokoine Road, for beans and freshly ground Arabica from Kilimanjaro.

Aang Serian's Native Cave Jambo's Coffee House, Boma Rd. A small store run by a local cultural NGO. Their stock is mainly Maasai-oriented, and includes esos – women's beaded neck discs (Tsh15,000–25,000 depending on size). They also have CDs of traditional music, also sold at their office at Mollel House, Stadium Rd ( 0744/318548  0744/318548 , enolengilo@yahoo.co.uk). Closed Sun.

The Craft Shop Goliondoi Rd.A good place to get an idea of prices, with loads of Makonde carvings, some Tingatinga paintings, and a carver at the back who makes boxes and small chests. Closed Sat pm and Sun.

Cultural Heritage 5km along the Dodoma road; catch a daladala from the main stand to Majengo. Huddled inside an electric fence, this is Arusha's largest – and most expensive – tourist emporium, with stacks of stuff at prices that leave you reeling. Closed Sun pm.

Le Jacaranda Vijana Rd.Rummage through excellent Tingatinga paintings at the hotel's entrance, under a wonderful old candelabra euphorbia.

Lookmanji Curio Shop Joel Maeda St. One of the best selections in town, especially for carvings, and keenly priced. They also stock carvings from Kenya's Kamba tribe, who make good figurines. Other stuff includes Congolese and Malian masks, and – occasionally – a circumcision mask from Tanzania's Luguru. Closed Sun pm.

"Maasai market" Corner of Joel Maeda St and Boma Rd by the clock tower. An impromptu pavement market where Maasai women make and sell beadwork necklaces and bracelets, and men hawk scary-looking daggers and spears. Most days except Sun.

Real Arts Centre Boma Rd, next to Jambo's Coffee House. Mainly Tingatinga paintings, banana-fibre collages and locally made batiks, some tailored into clothes. Closed Sun.

Via Via German Boma, Boma Rd. Hosts occasional exhibitions, from wooden sculptures to paintings, each lasting two weeks. They have good contacts with local artists too. Closed Sun.

For more on Arusha the following page relates to St Judes school and gives a good insight to the life of this Tanzanian city.