Arusha, Tanzania

Arusha is a small African town nestled in the shadow of Mount Meru with commanding views of the mighty Kilimanjaro. Although Dar es Salaam is larger, Arusha tends to be visited more by tourists as it is the gateway to the northern circuit. It is likely to be the start of your safari to the famous parks of northern Tanzania.

Arusha is 485 kilometres (300 miles) northwest of Dar es Salaam and is northern Tanzania's center of commerce and trade, and may well be one of East Africa's fastest growing cities. Arusha is also regarded as one of Tanzania's most attractive towns and sits at the foot of Mt Meru (4,575 metres) and also in sight of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Arusha was first established in 1900 by the German colonialists as a garrison and has been revived as the headquarters of the East African Community, it is also the host of the International Tribunal , dealing with the Rwandan genocide. Arusha is the gateway to the 'northern circuit' (Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, as well as the Ngorongoro Crater).

Yearly, the temperature ranges from 13 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius, and the seasons between wet and dry seasons. Due to Arusha's altitude, dry air is prevalent. Arusha experiences an eastern prevailing wind from the Indian ocean, a couple of hundred miles east.

The Arusha Accords were signed at Arusha on August 4, 1993 by representatives of competing factions in the Rwandan civil war. In 1994 the UN security council decided by its Resolution 955 of 8 November 1994 that Arusha should host the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. The establishment of the tribunal with its employees has influenced the local economy of Arusha. The tribunal is expected to end its normal work in 2008 with two more subsequent years for appeals handling. Day visitors are able to attend and listen into daily court proceedings - make sure you have a passport available for UN security clearance - no cameras allowed.

Among Arusha's notable districts are the Central Business Area, located by the Clock tower, Sekei in the North-West which is largely residential with a vibrant nightlife, Njiro, a rapidly-growing suburb in the South, and Tengeru, a lively market-town in the East. Visit the famous Arusha Hotel, with it's old bar, frequented by John Wayne during the filming of 1960's movie Hatari.

Arusha is served by Kilimanjaro International Airport, some 60 kilometres east, approximately half-way to Moshi. The airport provides international and domestic flights. Arusha Airport is a small domestic airport in the west of the city. There are no passenger train services to or from Arusha but there are regular coaches (buses) to Nairobi, Dodoma and Dar Es Salaam.