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 rusha
is northern Tanzania's centre of commerce and
trade, and may well be one of East Africa's
fastest growing cities. The city, 1,540 m (5,053
ft) above sea level, it is the starting point
for many safaris of the northern circuit to
Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater,
Tarangire and Mount Meru, and Arusha National
Parks.
Arusha has a vast number of hotels and curio
shops brimming with handicrafts, carvings and
gemstones.
 Arusha
is the central point in Africa between Cape Town
and Cairo. Arusha National Park is one of the
Tanzania smallest parks. Its main features are
Ngurdoto Crater, The Momella Lake, and rugged
Mt. Meru 4566m Tanzania second highest peak has
a variety of vegetation zones supporting
numerous animal species.
Arusha is one of Tanzania's city most attractive
towns and was the headquarters of the East
African Community in the days when Kenya,
Tanzania and Uganda were members of an economic,
communications and customs union. It has once
again become the headquarters of a revived clone
of this attempt at regional cooperation under
the name of East African Cooperation, following
the signing of a number of protocols by the
three heads of state in November 1994 and a
further 'summit' meeting in April 1996. Arusha
elevation is 1135 meters above sea level.
United National International Criminal Tribunal
for Rwanda (UN-ICTR) is also based here.
The town sits in lush, green countryside at the
foot of Mt. Meru (4556m) and enjoys a temperate
climate throughout the year. Surrounding it are
many coffee, wheat and maize estates tended by
the Waarusha and Wameru tribes people, whom you
may see occasionally in the market area of town.
For travelers, Arusha is the gateway to
Serengeti, Lake Manyara Tarangire and Arusha
national parks and the Ngorongoro Conservation
Area. As such, it's the safari capital of
Tanzania. Mt. Meru can also be trekked from
here.
Arusha is a pleasant town to walk around and
take in the sights, and the market area is
particularly lively, but the main
 concern
of most travelers will be arranging a safari and
taking off for the national parks. You'll find
people here very friendly and easy to approach
and, if you've just arrived from Nairobi, you'll
appreciate the breath of fresh air and lack of
hassle. But, as always, be wary of 'flycatchers'
(street touts grubbing up business for safari
companies, real or imagined).
Orientation
The town is in two parts, separated by a small
valley through which the Naura River runs. The
upper part, just off the main Moshi to Namanga
road, contains the government buildings, post
office, immigration, most of the top-range
hotels, safari companies, airline offices, curio
and craft shops, and the huge Arusha
International Conference Center (AICC). Further
down the hill and across the valley are the
commercial and industrial areas, the market,
small shops, many of the budget hotels and the
bus station.
Money
There are several foreign exchange (forex)
bureaus in Arusha. Some will change both cash
and travelers' cheques as well as give cash
advances in local currency against credit cards.
Others will not change travelers' cheques - cash
only. Most of the bureaus are open from 9am to
5pm. You can also change money and at much the
same rates as the forex bureau, at the National
Bank of Commerce at the clock tower at the
junction of Sokoine and Sinoni Rd. It's open
Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 3pm and on
Saturday from 8.30 am to noon.
Immigration
The immigration office is on Simeon Rd near the
Makongoro Rd junction. The people here are
reasonably efficient and helpful if you need a
visa extension. |
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Significance:
Golden
the mineral
wealth
Red
the fertile red soil of Africa
Wavy Band
the land, sea, lakes and coastal lines
Shield
Mt. Kilimanjaro
Burning Torch
freedom, enlightenment and knowledge
Spear
defense of freedom
Clove Bush & Cotton Bush
agriculture in the country
Cross Axe & Hoe
tools that the people use in developing
the country the elephant tusk supported by a man and a woman on both sides of
the shield symbolizing both the themes of cooperation and gender and equality
of the people of Tanzania.
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