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Tours & experiences

Essence of Arusha City Tour

About this experience

A simply must do experience while in arusha that involves an insightful experience visit Shanga, an Elewana initiative based at Arusha Coffee Lodge where physically challenged craftspeople create beautiful necklaces from recycled powder glass beads. This is an incredible business venture that retails throughout Tanzania and abroad, and helps so many deaf and disabled people earn a salary who otherwise would have nothing. After an informative tour of the colorful workshop, you can spend the afternoon browsing the city’s Maasai Market and Cultural Heritage Center for traditional handicrafts and getting to know the locals life style.

At a glance

  • Duration: 3 hr–8 hr
  • Private experience

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Select a date and travellers to compare current prices and departure times.

Essence of Arusha City Tour
Pickup included

Plan your experience

Time on the tour3 hr–8 hr
Getting therePickup offeredSee pickup details
Guide languagesEnglish (live guide)
Tour arrangementPrivate experience

Set aside 3 hr–8 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.

Before you go

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What is included

  • Private transportation
  • Snacks
  • All Fees and Taxes

Not included

  • Coffee and/or Tea
  • Dinner

Itinerary and highlights

The Tanzanite experience tour also gives you a chance to browse through an impressive collection of masks and sculpted animals at Cultural Heritage Centre, a gallery of sculpture and traditional handicrafts as well as a curio shop. This private establishment run by an England-educated tourism pioneer features a jewelry boutique, restaurant, and a shop selling carvings, gemstones, and books. U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, Norwegian King Harald, and U.S. Secretary of State James Baker have all paid a visit here. Inspect the collection of modern art and traditional crafts from Tanzania's 120-plus tribes, and then browse the gift store for classy souvenirs. It’s here also you will get a chance to explore the fascinating Tanzanite Experience boutique, where you can order for yourself tanzanite bracelets and necklaces that make ideal gifts and souvenirs for your Arusha Experience

The Shanga Foundation, this is a house craft store workshop allowing disable locals to exploit knowledge of the artisans behind the glassware, beads, paintings, and fabrics for sale in the store. In the place you will marvel at beautiful decor like walls of recycled wine bottles that magnified the warm light and make a lovely noise when gently moved. The store also has people making beaded jewelry and cloth from recycled materials. They have stuffed elephants made from reused men’s’ shirts. All this will spoil you buy stuff for your family. It’s here also you will get a chance to explore the fascinating Tanzanite Experience boutique, where you can order for yourself tanzanite bracelets and necklaces that make ideal gifts and souvenirs for your Arusha Experience.

During this full day excursion, you will also get a chance to explore Bangata Waterfalls which is on the foothill of Mount Meru. You will be lead through a number of small agricultural villages with lush landscapes, where the locals sell a variety of goods such as coffee, maize, bananas and other types of fruits and vegetables. Upon arrival at the waterfall entrance, you will be welcomed with a beautiful landscape filled with avocado plantation and fish ponds, where you’ll get a chance to learn about the cultivation till the time they are ready to be exported. On the way as you descend to the waterfall, you’ll get a chance to feed the fishes on their large fish ponds before reaching the magnificent natural wonder. Enjoy the cool waterfall mist and relax in a beautifully shaded area while taking in the sites. Be sure to bring your camera to take some breathtaking photos!

Maasai Market is a sensational sensory experience. Thrust into a slice of whirling Tanzanian life have your wits about you and prepare to barter. A fabulously lively atmosphere offers an abundance of sellers peddling their wares of exotic fruit, coffee, nuts and spices. If you are on the hunt for carefully crafted African art, sculptures and artifacts, head to the Cultural Heritage craft mall for the best pieces in the city.

Meeting and pickup information

  • We request travelers to send us their location and we can reach them for pick up.
  • Travelers can send us their pick up location through the contacts details for easier pick up.

Languages and tickets

  • English — Guide
  • Mobile Only

Tour operator

  • Take Me To Tanzania Adventure & Safaris

Meeting points and locations

Accessibility and practical details

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Questions about this experience

How long is this experience?
The supplier lists a duration of 3 hr–8 hr.
What are the pickup arrangements?
Travelers can send us their pick up location through the contacts details for easier pick up.
Which guide languages are listed?
English (live guide).
What ticket format is listed?
Mobile ticket.
What ticket age bands are listed?
Child tickets: age 6–12; Youth tickets: age 15–17; Adult tickets: age 18+; Senior tickets: age 30+. Check the practical details for participation requirements.
What accessibility information is provided?
Wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
What is the cancellation policy?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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