Arusha is the gateway city to Tanzania's northern safari circuit and the base for most climbers heading to Kilimanjaro. Set at 1,400m on the southern slopes of Mount Meru, the city has a cooler, more pleasant climate than most of East Africa. It is a transit hub more than a destination in itself, but it has its own character and enough to keep you occupied for a day or two.
The northern safari circuit — Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire — is the most famous game-viewing territory in Africa. Almost all safaris to this circuit are organised from Arusha. The city is full of tour operators, ranging from excellent to predatory, and you will be approached frequently on the main street. The Arusha Clock Tower at the central roundabout marks the city's symbolic heart — and the midpoint of the old Cape-to-Cairo Road.
Closer to town, Arusha National Park is a worthwhile half-day trip even for those not on a full safari: the park covers the slopes of Mount Meru and the Momela crater lakes, with colobus monkeys, giraffes, zebras, and a great many birds. The Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre near the clock tower has a well-organised display on Tanzania's tribes and sells high-quality crafts. History-minded visitors will want to find the Arusha Declaration Monument, which marks where Julius Nyerere announced his vision of African socialism in 1967.