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Arusha is a small bustling town in the shadow of Mount Meru.

It is not greatly attractive but it is colorful, bursting with life, and a good introduction to Tanzania's northern circuit.

Maasai culture

There are small but good restaurants, some excellent curio shops and striking countryside around the town. Possibly the first thing that you will notice though, are the number of Maasai in their bold red garments. You will see Maasai herding cattle, riding bicycles, selling intricate beadwork and going about their daily life. Then, there are numerous roadsides stalls where women sell bunches of bright green bananas and roast cassava, small thatched huts with children flying in and out in school uniform. Rainbow colored buses, goats, cows and chickens are all over the road in no particular order.

Coffee plantations

Arusha is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. Up in the hills there are numerous flower farms and hundreds of coffee plantations. Crystal clear streams tumble from the mountain tops, villagers plow fields with oxen and the air is crisp and clear. In the midst of the coffee plantations, old homesteads perch atop hills with spectacular views. Many, whilst still working farms, have built guest cottages.

These coffee plantations are the perfect place to stay for your first night in Tanzania. You can relax in the gardens, ramble in the foothills and always enjoy a fresh cup of coffee straight from the farm with your breakfast in the morning.