Essentials
- City
- Arusha, Arusha Region, Tanzania
- Population
- Approx. 520,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 15-25 Mbps on 4G/LTE; Fiber in select cafes up to 50 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). 1 USD ≈ 2,580 TZS, 1 EUR ≈ 2,800 TZS
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water (e.g., Kilimanjaro, 1.5L for 1,200 TZS)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British style) and Type D sockets
- SIM Card
- Airtel, Vodacom, or Halotel. Approx. 20,000 TZS ($8) for 15GB/month
- Banking for Expats
- CRDB Bank, NMB Bank, and Stanbic. Use Wise or Revolut for transfers
- Accommodation
- Furnished apartments, guesthouses, and luxury lodges via Airbnb or local agents
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; mobile money (M-Pesa) is king, cards accepted in hotels/malls, cash for markets
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and Arusha Rental Apartments (approx. $400-$800/month)
- Budget Accommodation
- White House of Tanzania or Arusha Backpackers (approx. $15-$25/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Clock Tower City Center and Sekei for convenience and tours
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Njiro for quiet residential or Sakina for social vibes and mid-range housing
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Workplace Arusha (Njiro Area) - Approx. $10/day or $150/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- Africafe (Boma Rd) or Kitamu Coffee (City Center) - Good WiFi and reliable power
- Networking Events
- Arusha Business Group meetups at Gran Melia or Rotary Club of Arusha
- Social Events for Expats
- Arusha Expats Facebook Group organized drinks at The Fig & Olive
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (Standard) and Uber (Limited). In-drive is also widely used
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Arusha Bike Tours or lease locally for approx. 15,000 TZS ($6)/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Pangani or Tanga (Approx. 6-7 hours drive or 1 hour flight via Coastal Aviation)
- Top Regional Airline
- Precision Air and Air Tanzania
- Top International Airline
- Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, and KLM (via Kilimanjaro Airport - JRO)
- Highway Access
- A23 (Arusha-Moshi Road) and A104 (Cape to Cairo Road)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Arusha Central Bus Terminal (Dala-dala hub) and Arusha Airport (ARK) for domestic
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital passes; Dala-dala (minibus) costs 500-1,000 TZS per trip
- Regional Travel
- Luxury bus to Dar es Salaam (approx. 45,000 TZS) or shuttle to Nairobi (approx. $30)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- The Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC) or NSK Hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga House Arusha (Njiro) and wellness retreats at Onsea House
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Body Fit Gym (Sakina) and the gym at Mount Meru Hotel
- Laundry Services
- Snow White Dry Cleaners or local 'Mama Dobi' home services
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Piki (Best reach) or Jumia Food (Limited coverage)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Nyama Choma (Grilled goat) and Ugali with Kachumbari
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Fig & Olive (Mediterranean) and Khan's BBQ (excellent salads/sides)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Fifi's Restaurant & Cafe for pastries and cakes
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Central Market (Soko Kuu) and Kilombero Market
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Kikuu Tanzania and Jumia Tanzania
- Grocery Delivery
- Shoppers Supermarket (Njiro Shopping Complex) delivery services
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Njiro and the 'Groove' area near Clock Tower
- Local Brewery
- Tanzania Breweries Limited (Safari Lager, Kilimanjaro Premium Lager)
- Wine Bars
- George's Tavern (Greek and international wine selection)
- Street Food Stalls
- Khan's BBQ (legendary auto-garage by day, BBQ by night) on Shanti Street
- Popular International Cuisine
- Via Via Cultural Cafe (Belgian/Fusion) and Blue Heron (Italian/Pizza)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Clock Tower (Midpoint between Cairo and Cape Town)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Old Boma Museum and Cultural Heritage Centre
- Historical Sites
- Arusha Declaration Museum
- Religious Sites
- Arusha Jamia Mosque and Christ Church Anglican Cathedral
- Annual Events
- Nane Nane Day (Farmers' Day) in August
- Cultural Districts
- Tengeru area for cultural tourism programs
- Theater Venues
- Arusha Little Theatre
- Local Markets
- Maasai Market Curios and Crafts (Fire Road)
- Music Scene
- The Hub Arusha for live music and DJ sets
- Street Art
- Murals at the Cultural Heritage Centre and local artisan shops in Sekei
- Cooking Classes
- Tengeru Cultural Tourism program local cooking workshops
- Art Galleries
- Umoja Art Gallery and Cultural Heritage Centre Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- The Old Boma (German colonial fort)
- Local Heritage
- Maasai culture and the Shuka (traditional red cloth) heritage
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lake Duluti (Canoeing and hiking, 20 mins away)
- National Parks Nearby
- Arusha National Park (30 mins) and Mount Meru
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The lush trails of the Themi Valley
- Scenic Viewpoints
- View of Mount Kilimanjaro from the Roof at Gran Melia Hotel
- Birdwatching Locations
- Momella Lakes within Arusha National Park
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Meserani Snake Park campsites
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Arusha (Kijenge) and Aramex
- Tech Repair Services
- Computech and various shops in the City Center mall
- Table Tennis Spots
- Gymkhana Club Arusha
- Language Classes
- MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation (MS-TCDC) for Swahili
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Arusha Regional Library
- Community Centers
- Via Via Cultural Centre
- Gaming Lounges
- Select spots at Njiro Shopping Complex
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Safari Casino at Arusha Hotel
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² ($48,000 for 40 m²)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $850 per m² ($34,000 for 40 m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² ($66,000 for 60 m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $750 per m² ($45,000 for 60 m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² ($80,000 for 80 m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $700 per m² ($56,000 for 80 m²)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% for resident/non-resident companies
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents and non-residents
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents, source-based for non-residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30%
- VAT
- 18% standard rate
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules, but transfer pricing regulations apply
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on the value of the property, collected annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty at 1% and capital gains tax on disposal
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad visa; most work on a Business or specialized Class C Permit