Tanzania Day Trips & Tours starting from Arusha takes you to the closest parks of Arusha National park, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater. We offer an inspiring and affordable day trips in Arusha, hiking tour and city tour around Arusha as well as cultural tours to Mulala and Nkoranga village located at the out-scat of Arusha city. Materuni village tour in Moshi & Olpopongi Masai village in West Kilimanjaro can also be organized. Bellow please see list of our Arusha day trips, Cultural Tours & Excursions.
1: Tanzania Day Trips to Arusha National Park
A Full day trip to Arusha National park normal starts at 08:00 0r 08:30 from any lodge/ hotel in Arusha. The maximum driving hrs to the Park from elsewhere close to the city is 45 minutes. Arusha National Park is more or less a nature reserve with beautiful landscape and lovely wildlife. The park is among the very few parks which are close to the city, Momella Lakes the feeding site for some flamingos, Ngurudoto Crater, Black and White Colubus are among the major attractions in this Park. Kilimanjaro Mountain and Mount Meru can easily be seen in a very clear days.
Guests will have a chance for nature walks at Ngurudoto Crater, some parts of Arusha National Park appears in Hollywood world famous movie ‘Hatari’ by Hardly Kruger the German actor. Animals to be seen are giraffe, buffalo, zebra, warthog, water-backs, red duikers, and some primate including the Black and White Colubus. A lot of birds can be encountered at Momella Lakes including the colorful flamingos. Picnic lunch will be served at Momella Lakes picnic site. Drive back to your lodge before or during the sunset.
- Distance/Time: 30 km ~ 45 min drive from Arusha.
- Highlights: Diverse landscapes including Mount Meru views, Momella Lakes (flamingos), Ngurdoto Crater, black-and-white colobus monkeys, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, and birdlife (400+ species).
- Unique options: guided walking safari (with armed ranger), canoeing on lakes $40/person, or game drives.
- Best for: Beginners, families, birdwatchers, or those wanting a low-key intro to safaris. No Big Five, but intimate and scenic. Excellent in dry season (June-Oct) when animals congregate.
- Duration: Half or full day.
- Best time for this day trip: Yearly around (April/May – rain season, can be mud)
End of the trip!
Price Including VAT:-
For 1 person is $ 335
For 2 to 3 person is $ 235 per person
For 4 to 6 Person is $ 170 per person
Starting & ending in Arusha city, Tanzania’s Tourism Capital
Includes:-
Transportation in clean, well maintained 4wd safari Land Cruise with photographic roof thatch
Service of professional, experienced English speaking local safari driver guide
Good packed lunch
Mineral water (3 l per day per person)
All park fees including VAT
Items not included:-
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Visa fees
Tips/gratitude for safari driver guide
All items of a person nature
Travel insurance etc.
2: Tanzania Day trips to Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast at your hotel in Arusha, we will take you to Lake Manyara National Park, The driving is 2 hours along the nice tarmac road all the way to the Park gate. Lake Manyara is beautiful and ever green, it is located at the base of the Great East African Rift Valley close to a small town of Mto wa Mbu ( mosquito River Town).
Lush vegetation, trees of red mahogany, fig, acacia and others are dwarfing the animals that feeds beneath them. With packed lunch you will have a full day game drive at Lake Manyara National park. You may expect to see herds of buffalo, elephant, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, hippo and many antelopes. Predators like leopard, hyana, jackals and if lucky the Lake Manyara tree climbing lion can be seen. Leave Lake Manyara and drive back to Arusha before the sunset.
- Distance/Time: 120 km ~2:3 hours drive.
- Highlights: Tree clibing lion, larger flocks of flamingo (400+ bird species, hot water spring, massive baboons & monkeys). herds of buffallo, elephant, giraffe, zebras, hippos etc. Option: cannop walk, biking around mto wa mbu village & around Lake Manyara
- Best for: Classic safari vibes with fewer crowds than bigger parks. Excellent in dry season (June-Oct) when animals congregate.
- Duration: Full day (morning/afternoon game drives + picnic lunch).
- Best time for this day trip: Yearly around (April/May – rain season, can be mud)
End of the trip!
Price including VAT:-
For 1 person is $ 435
For 2 to 3 person is $ 265 per person
For 4 to 6 Person is $ 185 per person
Starting & ending in Arusha city, Tanzania’s Tourism Capital
Includes:-
Transportation in clean, well maintained 4WD safari Land Cruise with photographic roof thatch
Service of professional & well experienced English speaking local safari driver guide
Good packed lunch
Mineral water (3 l per day per person)
All park fees including VAT
Items not included:
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Visa fees
Tips/gratitude for safari driver guide
All items of a person nature
Travel insurance etc.
3: Tanzania Day Trips to Tarangire National Park
On this day trip safari which starts & ends in Arusha Tanzania, we take you to Tarangire National Park reputed to contain some of the huge number of elephants in Africa. The driving is along the Great Northern Highways and accross Minjingu junction to the park gate, 2 hours driving from Arusha. After registration and other Park formalities you will start your full day game drive in this Park. Tarangire National Park is the fifth largest park in Tanzania.
Large population of elephant and huge baobab trees are the highlight of this Park & over 6,000 elephant have been recorded here. During the dry season most of the game drives is along Tarangire River the only permanent source of water in the entire Park. At this time of the year most of animals are concentrating along the river where they can get fresh grass and water, predators like lions and others are capitalizing the river shore as hunting point. For bird loves this is the place, over 400 species of birds have been recorded including the endemic species of Ash Stalling. Drive back to Arusha late afternoon.
- Distance/Time: 139 km ~2 hours drive fom Arusha.
- Highlights: Massive elephant herds (up to 300), ancient baobab trees, Tarangire River (dry-season wildlife magnet), lions, giraffes, zebras, Oryx, lesser Kudu and rich birdlife (550+ species). Option walking safari
- Best for: Classic safari vibes with fewer crowds than bigger parks. Excellent in dry season (June-Oct) when animals congregate.
- Duration: Full day (morning/afternoon game drives + picnic lunch).
- Best time for this day trip: Yearly around (April/May – rain season, can be mud)
End of the trip!
Price Including VAT:-
For 1 person is $ 435
For 2 to 3 person is $ 265 per person
For 4 to 6 Person is $ 185 per person
Starting & ending in Arusha city, Tanzania’s Tourism Capital
Includes:-
Transportation in clean, well maintained 4WD safari Land Cruise with photographic roof thatch
Service of professional, experienced English speaking local safari driver guide
Good packed lunch
Mineral water (3 l per day per person)
All park fees including VAT
Items not included:-
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Visa fees
Tips/gratitude for safari driver guide
All items of a person nature
Travel insurance etc.
4: Tanzania Day Trip to Ngorongoro Crater Epic wildlife density
For all our Tanzania day Trips & safaris we mostly use 4WD Land cruiser, leave your lodge in Arusha after breakfast at 7.00 & drive for about 3 to 3:30 hours on a nice tarmac road all the way to Ngorongoro gate. After registration and other park formality you will enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) and drive up and around the crater rim, stop at the view point of the Crater floor drive around and descent into the crater floor for a wonderful game drive (Picnic lunch will be served at the crater floor.
Ngorongoro Crater is regarded by many as the 8th wonders of the world. Its crater wall is of about 600 meter and it has a floor about 300 square kilometers, the crater floor has a big number of resident animals with exception of few that migrates in and out of the crater like wildebeest and zebra. Ngorongoro crater is among few areas in the World where black rhino are leaving in their natural habitat. You may expect to spot from hippos, zebra, wildebeest, topi, buffalo, elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard, hyenas and other species.
Bird life is rich in the Crater floor for both aquatic and forest birds, you may spot Egyptian geese, ibises, flamingos, black smith plovers, wavers, herons and other species. With a bit of lucky the Tanzanian Big Five can be spotted in the Crater during a one day of game drives. Drive back to Arusha and arrive at late afternoon.
- Distance/Time: ~3-4 hours drive each way (long day!).
- Highlights: World’s largest intact caldera, high chance of Big Five (including rare black rhino), lions, elephants, hippos, flamingos. Picnic lunch at hippo pool.
- Best for: Bucket-list wildlife (30,000+ animals). Feasible but tiring—start at dawn.
- Duration: Very full day (possible, but some prefer overnight).
- Best time for this day trip: Yearly around (April/May – rain season, can be mud)
End of the trip!
Price Including VAT:-
For 2 person is $ 467 per person
For 3 to 4 person is $ 390 per person
For 5 to 6 person is $ 280 per person
This Tanzania Day Trips Starts & Ends in Arusha city, Tanzania’s Tourism Capital
Includes:-
Transportation in clean, well maintained 4WD safari Land Cruise with photographic roof thatch
Service of professional & well experienced English speaking local safari driver guide
Good packed lunch
Mineral water (3 l per day per person)
All park fees including VAT
Items not included:-
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Visa fees
Tips/gratitude for safari driver guide
All items of a person nature
Travel insurance etc.
Cultural Tours & Excursions Staring From Arusha
We have a wide range of Cultural tourism & excursions that can be done in a day however, Olpopongi Masai Cultural tour includes one night at Masai village in West Kilimanjaro.
1: Tanzania Day Trips – Cultural Tour to Mulala Village
Mulala village is at the slope of Mount Meru the second highest Mountain in Tanzania stands at the altitude of 4566 m. The village lies between 1600 to 1700 m above the see level hence enjoying the cool weather in the morning & evening.
Mulala Cultural Tourism
Driving time is 45 to 1 hour: from Arusha Town
After breakfast at your lodge in Arusha, we will take you to a picturesque Mulala Village at the base of Mount Meru where the famous tribes of Meru people in Swahili know as (Wameru) lives. Here you will get a glimpse of their daily lives. As farmers they growing from coffee, bananas, cassava, beans and keeping dairy cattle.
On arrival you will warmly welcome by Mulala women group known as Agape who started this program with aim of supporting economic activities of their members. Accompanied by a local tour guide you will have a short walk through mama hanna’s coffee farm. After, you will join the Agape women group where you will involve in coffee making from the initial point to a ready made cup of coffee.
The second session you will learn how to balance things in your head which will be accompanied by some nice songs from Meru land. After you will visit the sting less bee keeping project with about 35 beehive & test the fresh honey. Before lunch time you will have a walk through coffee plantation and banana farm all the way to the top point of Lemeka Hills and then you go down to Marisha River home to some lovely birds and charming Monkeys. After you will return back to Mama Hanna’s house for a local simple delicious lunch prepared by village women.
After lunch & some rest you will have a cup of coffee & then visit cheese making factory. IF you wish to buy anything made by Agape women group this will be your chance. Late afternoon drive back to Arusha.
End of the Tour.
Price Range (per person): $100 – 80
Included:-
All transfers as per itinerary
Experienced English speaking Meru guide
All activities as mentioned above
Welcome drink, traditional hot lunch
2: Tanzania Day Trips – Cultural Tour to Nkoranga Village
Driving hours 45 min: from Arusha
A tour will start after breakfast at your Hotel in Arusha. Nkoaranga village is at the base of Mount Meru and it is mostly dominated by an indigenous tribe of Meru people.
This area is home to a local fair-trade coffee growers’ cooperative, built up of a group of small-farm coffee growers working hand in hand to build a maintainable, naturally grown, fair trade coffee business. The tour will take you to the coffee plantations where you can see different steps of coffee growing. You will learn on how coffee beans are peaked and collected ready to go through some process before roasted, grounded and carefully packed.
All profits from coffee sales, are to be presented to the local farmers for further investment in the project, and to build their increasing organic farming project. A plan for the next two years is to start with first organic bean harvested. After touring around you will then sit for lunch somewhere in the village before you return to Arusha. If you wish you can take a short walk in the village and a visit to local school or an orphanage.
End of the tour.
Price Range (per person): $100 – 80
Included:-
All transfers as per itinerary
Experienced English speaking Meru guide
All activities as mentioned above
Welcome drink, traditional hot lunch
3: Tanzania Day Trips – 2 Days Cultural Tour to Olpopongi (Masai Village)
Distance: 54 km
Time: About 2: 30 hrs
The tour starts in the morning when we pick you up from your hotel in Arusha. The drving is along the lovely views of slopes of West Kilimanjaro and of a Masai land near Tinga tinga.
On arrival at Olpopongi Masai village, you will have a warm welcome from a pleasant group of Maasai warriors & their Village Chief chilled welcome drink will be served. Guided by a local Masai guide you will walk through the village, the guide will explain their past life & the current life of Masai society in Tanzania. The tradition tea Swahili (Chai) prepared on the wood fire will be served while getting in-depth information about their culinary culture. A simple but very testy lunch of varieties of local food will wind up the morning session of Tanzania Day Trips.
The afternoon begins with an interesting educational walking safari across the nearby bush. This walk will be guided by Masai warriors who will explain to you typical medicinal plants that they use to cure some diseases, extraordinary trees, tracks and the local wildlife will be shown. furthermore, the usage of local tools,fire preparation & hunting techniques will be part your memorable bush excursion during this Tanzania Day Trips
Returning back to the village, you will have a well-deserved break accompanied by freshly brewed coffee & cake. As sun goes down a group of women & men gathering together & start their singing & dancing performance. A great BBQ-Buffet right at camp fire and the „get together“ with your already known Masai friends, will provide you an unforgettable evening under the (mostly) starry sky. The sleeping this evening will be at private Masai house on traditional beds with comfortable mats & blankets.
After hearing the rhythm of the bush drums next morning, the breakfast with freshly baked rolls, jam, fruits and an omelette of your choice will then be served! Later, during the still early morning, the tour is over and it’s time to say good bye with many new impressions in your mind. At this time your driver will be ready to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha.
Lunch, BBQ-Dinner & Breakfast is included.
The price is from $ 215 per person
Included:
- All transfers as per itinerary
- Experienced English speaking Masai guide
- Museum tour and Bush walk
- Welcome drink, traditional hot lunch, BBQ dinner, breakfast
- Overnight stay in a traditional Masai clay house
- Sleeping mat, sleeping bag and blankets
- Separate European style toilets and washrooms with hot water
- All entrance fees
4. Tanzania Day Trips – Chemka (Kikuletwa) Hot Springs
Detailed Itinerary: Pickup at 8-9 AM for a scenic drive to these turquoise, crystal-clear springs (constant 28°C). Hike 20-30 min through banana plantations, then swim, snorkel, or cliff-jump in the natural pools fed by underground rivers. Relax with fresh fruit lunch. Optional add-on: Maasai village visit for beading demos. Back by 5-6 PM.
- Distance/Time: ~2 hours drive from Arusha
- Highlights: Crystal-clear turquoise pool fed by Kilimanjaro groundwater (warm, not hot), swimming, rope swings, snorkeling (see fish and turtles), shaded by fig trees. Often combined with Materuni Waterfalls or coffee tour.
- Best for: Relaxation after a safari/Kili climb, swimming, picnics. Family-friendly and refreshing.
- Duration: Half or full day.
- Price range: $100 – 150
5. Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee Tour (Cultural immersion)
Detailed Itinerary: Morning departure (8-9 AM) to Chagga tribe lands at Mt. Kilimanjaro’s base. 45-min hike through coffee plantations to the 80m waterfall—swim in the plunge pool. Tour a family farm: learn coffee picking, roasting, and grinding; taste fresh brews and banana beer. Lunch with locals. Return by 5-6 PM.
- Distance/Time: ~3 hour (towards Moshi from Arusha).
- Highlights: 80m waterfall (swim possible), Chagga village hike, traditional coffee-making experience (bean-to-cup), local lunch, banana beer tasting.
- Best for: Culture, light hiking, and non-safari days. Often paired with hot springs, (cultural immersion)
- Duration: Half or full day.
- Price range: $80 -120
Tips for Tanzania Day Trips: Book via reputable operators like Back to Africa Safaris for safety and sustainability. Wear neutral colors for safaris, bring sunscreen/hat/insect repellent, and tip guides ($10-20/group).
Best Cultural Tours in Arusha:
Arusha’s cultural scene blends over 120 Tanzanian ethnic groups, with Maasai, Meru, and Chagga influences prominent. These half- or full-day tours (4-8 hours) focus on authentic interactions—village homestays, crafts, and traditions—often including transport, guide, and meals. Costs range $50-150/person. They’re ethical, community-led, and support local economies (e.g., via fair-trade crafts). Prioritize small groups for deeper connections.
Arusha City Walking Tour
- Duration & Starting Point: 3 – 4 hours, starting at city centre
- Highlights & Detailed Experience: Start at Clock Tower (9 AM) for a guided stroll through markets, mosques, and the Uhuru Monument (independence torch). Visit the bustling Kilombero vegetable market—bargain for spices, learn Swahili phrases, and sample street food like mandazi. Stop at a local pub for nyama choma (grilled meat) and chat with artisans. End at a craft shop for batik printing demo.
- Best for: Urban explorers, foodies
- Price Range (per person): $40-60
Cultural Heritage Centre Exploration
- Duration & Starting Point: Half-day (2-4 hours) / In Arusha town
- Highlights & Detailed Experience: Self- or guided tour (10 AM start) of this 1994-founded hub. Wander 10+ galleries showcasing 40+ tribes’ art: Maasai carvings, Datoga jewelry, Hadzabe bows. Live demos of pottery and drumming. Shop ethically (proceeds to artisans). Pair with afternoon tea at nearby Shanga River House (recycled crafts by disabled artists).
- Best For: Art lovers, shoppers
- Price Range (per person): $20-50 (entry + guide)
Tanzanite Experience & Gem Shopping
- Duration & Starting Point: Half-day (3 hours) / Arusha outskirts
- Highlights & Detailed Experience: Start at 9 AM with a mine simulation at this Tanzanite-only site (world’s rarest gem). Interactive exhibits on mining history, cutting, and certification. Guided viewing of raw stones, then shop certified pieces (birthstone for December). Ethical sourcing emphasized—no child labor.
- Best For: Jewelry enthusiasts, unique souvenirs
- Price Range (per person): $30-60
Tips for Cultural Tours: Respect customs (ask before photos, remove shoes in homes). Tours via Back to Africa Safaris to ensure community benefits. Combine with a day trip (e.g., Manyara + Mto wa Mbu) for efficiency. For deeper dives, add overnight village stays ($50 extra).
These recommendations on Tanzania day trips & cultural tours in Arusha draw from our Tanzania safari expert emphasizing sustainable, immersive options. Tailor via Back to Africa Safaris for dietary needs or group sizes—Arusha’s vibe is welcoming and flexible!
Please note: All our Tanzania day trips, cultural tours & excursions are starting & ending in Arusha “The Tanzania’s Tourism capital.
Arusha day trips & cultural tour to Mulala, Nkoranga village, Kikuletwa hot water spring, Masai village tour & others can be part of our long or short Tanzania safaris especially, when you have a day at leisure in Arusha before or after safari. Please let us know if you wish this to be included in you safari itinerary.
General Detailed Tips & Insights
- Booking: Use reputable local operators like Back to Africa Safaris. Private tours offer flexibility; group tours are cheaper. Book in advance, especially dry season.
- Best Time: Dry season (June-Oct) for wildlife; wet season (Nov-May) for greenery/fewer crowds (but muddy roads).
- What to Bring: Sunscreen, hat, binoculars, camera, swimsuit/towel (for springs/waterfalls), insect repellent, cash (tips, souvenirs). Wear neutral colors for safaris.
- Vehicle & Guide: 4×4 with pop-up roof essential. Good guides spot hidden animals—tip $10-20/day.
- Practical Advice:
- Start early (6-7 AM) to maximize time/avoid heat.
- Picnic lunches common—request vegetarian if needed.
- Roads can be bumpy; motion sickness meds helpful.
- Respect wildlife: Keep distance, no loud noises.
- Combine trips (e.g., waterfalls + springs) for variety.
- Sustainable: Choose eco-friendly operators; no single-use plastics.
These trips offer a mix of adventure, relaxation, and culture—perfect for short stays in Arusha! If you have specific interests (e.g., wildlife vs. culture), prioritize accordingly.
Tanzania Day Trips & cultural tours, Arusha is the doorway to the most famous Northern Tanzania wildlife areas like Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Arusha National Park.
Join us again for another sensation Tanzania day trips, Cultural tours and excursions starting from Arusha, it is more funny, flexible & enjoyable.
