Arusha Snake Park, Camel Ride, Shanga & Arusha Cultural Heritage - Full Day Trip

Shanga is a successful social enterprise which employs people with disabilities to create unique, high-quality, handmade jewelry, glassware and home wares incorporating recycled materials. These products are sold in Tanzania and all over the world, with profits being reinvested back into developing opportunities to employ more people with disabilities.

Combining an uplifting local community project with unique artistic activities and opportunities to purchase handmade gifts, Shanga has been a favourite Arusha tourist destination since its inception in 2007.

Shanga became part of Elewana in 2017 as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility program, with a ongoing commitment to the people of Tanzania. Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge is the home of Shanga, which comprises of an open workshop for glass-blowing, weaving, sewing, Tinga Tinga painting, bead-making and metal work, with a shop showcasing all Shanga’s handmade products.

Miserani Snake Park

The snake park is a special treasure of Arusha, a wonderful source of enjoyment and relaxation for locals and foreign visitors.

The snake park is located 25km west of Arusha on the route to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater.

The snake park provides various activities, take a guided tour and learn about some of the most dangerous snakes in the world, from the Black and Green Mamba, Egyptian Cobra, Puff Adders and many more. Check out the 3m plus crocodiles at feeding time.

You can also enjoy your personal Maasai guide who will take you on a spectacular tour of the Maasai Cultural Museum, to jumping on a camel and going on safari to the local village.

Visit the Free Education Centre, where the local Maasai have the opportunity to learn how to read and write and further their education in many different ways.

Meserani Snake Park also runs a free medical health clinic, that provides care for local people with over a 1000 patients per month.

The park is home to a variety of snakes common in Eastern and Southern Africa from the Black Mamba to the Black and Red spitting Cobras and the African Python. There are approximately 48 snakes you can view.

Other reptiles at the park include Moniter Lizards, Tortoises, Crocodiles, and a few species of birds that have been orphaned or injured and would not survive if they where returned to the wild. Meserani Snake Park is a great place to learn about some of Africa's less notorious, but most efficient predators.

The Maasai Cultural Museum is centred on the Maasai people and their culture

You can take a personal guided tour of the Maasai museum with a real Maasai warrior. He will walk you threw and explain their traditions, from how they build their mud boma's to male and female circumcision. It will be an experience you will never forget.

Camel Rides

Take a camel ride towards the Monduli Mountains, and visit a local Maasai Boma. A camel ride leaves from the gate at Meserani Snake Park and takes approximately 30 minutes to the village.

You will enjoy some beautiful scenery on your journey. While you are there you will get the chance to chat to the local Maasai and learn more about the Maasai culture.

Maasai Crafts Market

After your tour through the cultural museum, you will come to the Maasai Crafts Market. There you can browse 13 traditional Maasai Huts, and watch the Maasai Women making their beautiful colourful jewellery.

Dress up as a Maasai warrior, and wear their original Maasai blankets and shields and spears.

There is a variety of curio's and jewellery you can choose from to remember your time at the Maasai Crafts Market.

Snake Park Bar

The bar has become legendary around the world. Hanging from the roof you will find all sorts of memorabilia, from t-shirts to bank notes. Every piece tells a story. Everybody is welcome at the snake park bar, and if you happen to drop by be sure to try out some of the species of shooters available.

Snake Park Medical Clinic

Meserani Snake Park provides a free medical clinic. All proceeds from the Maasai Cultural Museum go towards supplying medical equipment and anything else that is required to run the clinic. Over Landers help and donate supplies when passing through. Meserani's medical clinic has approximately 1000 patients per month and growing. The clinic is expanding and is in the process of building a larger clinic and the old clinic will be turned into an orphanage.

Snake Park Campsite

Whether you are on an overland truck or just stopping by on your way to or from the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, Meserani's camp site is an oasis in the heart of Maasai Land Tanzania. You can just relax with a fully equipped camp site. Hot showers, clean wash rooms. Unwind and listen to the beautiful sounds of nature as there are over 60 species of birds that inhabit the park.

Cultural Heritage is a unique cultural centre on the outskirts of Arusha. We have curio shops, a jewellery boutique, a tanzanite and precious stone counter, a restaurant, bargain centre and outstanding commercial art gallery. We have a vast array of ornaments, jewellery, antiques and local crafts to cater for any budget. High quality clothing, textiles, accessories, books and spices can also be found onsite at Oneway and the Spice Centre.

Our exquisite collection of precious and semi-precious stones – including rubies, emeralds, tsavorite, diamonds, sapphires and opals - is unrivalled across the continent. Of these our most highly treasured is tanzanite - a rare blue/violet stone found only in Tanzania, for which we have an international reputation. Purchase loose stones, select from our ranges of hand made jewellery or work with our jewellers and designers to create your own unique piece.

The only collection of its kind in the world, ranging from African antiques to contemporary painting and sculpture you will be dazzled by our assembly of art and artefacts. Find some of our collections in the central store or come and experience the Gallery; a breath taking feat of engineering and artful display that will leave you awe-struck. Expert assistants are on hand to help you purchase art by emerging African artists or fascinating antiques form across the continent.

Our Restaurant has been catering for Arusha’s finest for 13 years and we prepare all of our food fresh to serve. Buffet or a la carte, with our selection of mouth-watering world foods - salads, homemade curries, traditional African dishes, french fries and humus.

Makonde Museum

Makonde is an art which is specialized in the Makonde tribe people. This art is passed from generation from father and son, and with the art skilled in the hand of the clan.

Such art of the tribe that is holding a monopoly for the specializing in this art is what we have also to offer to our guests. Drop in and have a look at the continent's largest Makonde tree that we hold in our art Gallery.

We have many types of Makonde tree specimens carved out of a distinguished wood named "Ebony wood", that you can also posses ranging from a variety of small to large, a single piece to a fusion piece. Each of these is a wonder to see.

Masks Centre

African communities are well known for craft work. Masks are another of their specialty.

Each ceremony which has to be done has to have a mask. This mask with say not only something about the ceremony but is meant to give a meaning to the ceremony as well as the holder or wearer of the mask.

A circumcision ceremony will have a such mask, when the a farmer will return from a harvest a special mask showing the depiction of a harvest will be given to him in the thanks giving ceremony. A witch doctor also has his own mask, not forgetting the kings and the chiefs who each own a mask for the occasion.

It can be made out of wood, copper or even beads.

Cultural Heritage gives you a chance to explore the wide range of masks which shows an insight about the Culture of the people of Africa. And also gives one a chance to learn about the land that they are visiting.

We give you a chance and a choice to even own one such antique which will remind you of the History of the Land of the people of Africa.

Tanzanite Shopping: If you are looking for the most romantic gift for your partner, then you should not leave Arusha without buying a Tanzanite product. Tanzanite is a rare gem which is only found in TanzaniteTanzania. It’s blue/violet in color and most of it is bought by the Jewelry store Tiffany’s. You can purchase a loose stone or ask the designers to create for you a special piece. There are several jewelry shops and museums in Arusha dedicated to showcasing this rare stone. Even if your budget is tight, you can still visit one of the shops and see what the gem looks like. Ensure that you go to a genuine Tanzanite shop especially if you plan on buying one. For assured quality, visit some of the artisan shops we have mentioned in this article or go to the showroom in Cultural Heritage.

Masai markets are basically souvenir shops offering artisan and food products from the Masai tribe. The Masai Markets are very common in East Africa. They are open on specific days of Maasai Market in Arusha the week and not permanent. The Masai move about with their products to different markets depending on the day of the week. Go to the markets and support the local Masai people by buying sandals, beads, key holders, necklaces, sculptures, bracelets and blankets. The Masai also trade in animals, fruits and vegetables. They normally give higher prices for international visitors and for this reason, you need to be prepared to bargain.