Arusha A Walking City Tour Museum Culture and Everyday Life

The Arusha International Conference Centre is one of Tanzania’s most important landmark institutions, known for hosting high-level national and international conferences, including meetings for the United Nations and the East African Community. Located in the heart of Arusha city, the centre features impressive architecture, lush surrounding gardens, and a rich history in diplomacy and international cooperation. It’s a great stop for visitors interested in politics, regional history, and the city’s role as a gateway for global dialogue in East Africa.

The National Natural History Museum, also known as the Old Boma or German Boma Museum, is a historic landmark in Arusha. Located on a small hill overlooking Mount Meru, the site features three key areas: the main museum, an art gallery, and an outdoor botanical garden.

Built in 1900, the Old Boma originally served as a German administrative post and later as a British colonial fort. Today, it preserves the region’s rich heritage through exhibits on Arusha’s history, artefacts from Olduvai Gorge, human evolution displays, wildlife specimens, and insights into local indigenous cultures. The botanical garden showcases native plant species, offering a peaceful outdoor experience.

The museum also hosts cultural events celebrating Tanzanian art, music, and traditions, making it a meaningful stop for visitors interested in the natural and cultural history of northern Tanzania

Discover the story behind one of the world’s rarest gemstones on a guided tour at The Tanzanite Experience Museum in Arusha. This immersive experience takes you on a journey from the gemstone’s volcanic origin at the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro to its transformation into exquisite jewelry.

Your tour includes:

Informative museum galleries explaining the history, geology, and discovery of Tanzanite

A recreated underground mining tunnel showing the real-life conditions of Tanzanian miners

Insight into cutting and polishing techniques used to bring out the stone’s signature blue-violet glow

Educational videos and interactive displays for a deeper understanding of the gemstone

A guided walk through the showroom, where you can view certified Tanzanite pieces (with no obligation to buy)

The Arusha Clocktower is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, built during the colonial era and known as the symbolic midpoint between Cape Town and Cairo. Located at the center of Arusha, it once served as a key administrative marker under German and later British rule. Today, it stands as a reminder of the city’s colonial past and a cultural symbol marking Arusha as the gateway to East Africa’s great adventures.

Experience Arusha’s vibrant culture and craftsmanship on a guided tour of the iconic Maasai Market. This lively open-air market is the perfect place to explore authentic Tanzanian art, jewelry, fabrics, and handmade treasures created by local artisans.

Walk through colorful stalls filled with beaded Maasai jewelry, hand-carved wooden sculptures, paintings, kangas & kikois, and unique souvenirs that reflect the traditions of the Maasai and other Tanzanian tribes. Your guide will help you interact with vendors, learn the stories behind the crafts, and negotiate fair prices.

Whether you're looking for gifts, cultural insight, or simply an immersive local experience, the Maasai Market tour offers a fun and engaging way to support local communities while discovering the artistic heart of Arusha.

Arusha Central Market, also known as the “Soko Kuu,” is the oldest and most vibrant marketplace in the city. Established during the colonial era, it originally served as a central trading point where local farmers, traders, and communities brought their goods for storage and sale. During German and later British rule, the market played an important role in organizing local commerce and supplying essential items to colonial administrators and surrounding settlements.

Today, it remains the heartbeat of Arusha, a bustling hub filled with fresh produce, spices, textiles, crafts, and everyday goods. The market’s deep historical roots, combined with its lively atmosphere, make it a place where past and present meet—reflecting Arusha’s cultural richness and the evolution of trade from colonial times to the modern city it is today

The Arusha Cultural Heritage Center is a vibrant attraction that offers visitors an immersive glimpse into Tanzania’s rich cultural tapestry. Located in the heart of Arusha, it is a hub for local artisans and craftsmen, showcasing traditional Maasai beadwork, carvings, paintings, fabrics, and other handmade souvenirs.

Visitors can observe artisans at work, interact with them, and even try their hand at some crafts, making it both educational and engaging. The center also provides insight into the diverse ethnic groups of Tanzania, their traditions, and artistic expressions.

It’s an ideal stop for travelers looking to buy authentic souvenirs, learn about Tanzanian culture, and support local communities, all in a lively and welcoming environment.