What to Expect in Arusha
Arrival into Arusha City:
Arusha City has 3 airports nearby, Arusha Airport (ARK) – a small domestic airport in the West of the city, Kilimanjaro International Airport JRO (The airport provides international and domestic flights) , as well as Jomo Kenyata International Airpot (NBO). If your flight arrives into Nairobi, you can take a Shuttle Bus for about 6 hours direct to Arusha (Two are available: 8:00am and 1:00 pm)
There are no passenger train services to or from Arusha but there are regular coaches (buses) to Nairobi, Dodoma and Dar Es Salaam. Arusha City taxis are available at both JRO and ARK Airports. It’s a flat $50 fare from JRO. To save money, book a ride with the most trusted shuttle from the JRO. They’re comfortable, reliable, and far cheaper than a taxi.
Things That Go Wrong When Flying to JRO
Luggage Delays: Luggage is frequently delayed, having failed to make the connection between planes as quickly as passengers have themselves transited. We find that these delays afflict around 1 passenger in 7 coming into JRO. Please bear this in mind when deciding what to put into your hand luggage. Late luggage usually arrives 24 hours later, but can be as late as 3 or 4 days behind in very rare circumstances.
If your luggage doesn’t arrive with you, you’ll need to speak to the Swiss-port desk beside the baggage reclaim area and complete a lost-luggage form. The form will ask for your hotel details as well as a contact name and telephone number. You can either detail your own mobile if it’s working, or else state the contact of your host in Arusha
Top Attractions Around the City
Important Information:
Custom Duty-Free Items:
Personal effects, including binoculars, cameras, and film, may be brought in free of duty. A custom’s bond may be demanded from those bringing in video/ filming equipment, radios, tape recorders and musical instruments to ensure the goods are re-exported. Firearms require a special permit. Duty-free allowances are 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco plus one pint of spirits, provided the traveler is over 16. Visitors buying local handcraft must keep sales receipts for presentation to customs officials on departure.
Electricity and Plug Types:
230 volts AC, 50 Hz; Common Type – Rectangular blade plug; Not very common – Round pin plug w/ ground round plug is except in older houses/buildings
Weather:
The Tanzanian climate is tropical. The central plateau is dry and arid with hot days and cool nights, while the northwest highlands are cool and temperate. June to September is the cooler season. The “long rains’ are from-March to May and the “short rains” are between October and December. The hottest months are between October and February. On the coast, it rains in November and December and from March to May. Coastal areas are hot and humid although sea breezes cool the area pleasantly between June and September.
Security Matters:
Tanzania is one of the most peaceful countries in the world characterized by a Stable political system. However, visitors and tourists should be very careful with things in cities and where thuggery incidences occur they should report them to the nearest Police Station.
Currency and Cash Related Issues:
The unit of currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS), which is divided in into 100 cents. Visitors can take in any amount of foreign currency, no currency declaration is required, but import and export of Tanzanian currency is illegal. Visitors are advised to bring a sensible mix of hard currency traveler’s cheques and cash. These are easily changed into local currency in Bureaux de Change or Banks. US Dollars are recommended for the best rates of exchange.
Most major currencies particularly US dollars – and travelers’ cheques are accepted and convertible at banks and bureaux de change in the main towns and tourist areas. Credit cards are not widely accepted and carry poor exchange rates. Visitors will probably be expected to pay park entrance fees in foreign currency.
You can use credit cards only at larger establishments (not widely accepted)- Visa, MasterCard, and JCB are the most widely accepted, but American Express and Diners Club cards can also come in handy. There are currently ATM’s (cash machines) by Barclays Bank and Standard Chartered in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Arusha, Moshi, and Mwanza.
Recommended Reads:
Covid-19 in Tanzania:
If you’re travelling to Tanzania, you must have a negative COVID-19 (RT-PCR) test result taken in the 72 hours before your arrival, complete the Ministry of Health’s online surveillance form in the 24 hours before arrival and take a rapid test on arrival. Depending on your origin or transit countries you may also be required to undertake 14 days quarantine at your own cost. Confirm COVID-19 requirements with local authorities and your airline(s) ahead of travel. Follow the advice of local authorities and COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures.
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