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9am: Breakfast at Arusha Coffee Lodge
(tanzania-web.com/lodges_info/arusha_coffee_lodge.htm), 5km down Serengeti Road from the town centre. Thus luxury hotel has been constructed on the site of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantation. Its Victorian style bungalows are invariably full of Europeans and Americans waiting to go on safari. There are excellent views of Mt. Meru and a swimming pool to help you pass the time.

10am: Central Market
Take a daladala (mini-van taxi) into town to the Central Market (intersection of Market Street and Somali Road) which sells herbs, spices, sandals made from old tyres, colourful kangas, traditional medicines and local produce like baobab seeds and fresh tamarind, both of which can be sucked like sweets. Open daily 7am-6pm.

11am: Coffee at Jambo on Boma
Best coffee is to be found at Jambo on Boma Road next to Makuti Gardens where Aang Serian has a stall selling 'Mazingira Monkeys'. Each cuddly toy is handmade from Kitenge fabric and stuffed with recycled plastic bags. Light chapatti snacks are available. Alternatively the Ice Cream Parlour on Sokoine Road which does good sundaes and cones.

12noon: Craft shopping on Goliondoi Road
Craft shopping. Visitors to Arusha buy Tingatinga paintings, Masai jewellery and batik, all of which can be found at the craft shop on Goliondoi Road (which will also arrange shipping home) Ask here about the ethically mined Tanzanite and a dealer will come out to meet you.

1pm: Lunch near the Clocktower
Arusha Naaz Hotel (arushanaaz@yahoo.com) on Sokoine Road is near the Clocktower and serves great, all you can eat, Indian food. The hotel also has its own internet café so you can catch up on correspondence.

2pm: Views from the Mountains
Take a daladala to Ng’iresi Village from where you can walk to Lekimana Hill for views of the Masai steppes and also, on a clear day, Mt. Kilimanjaro. Or try Kivesi Hill, an extinct volcano with forested slopes full of birdlife. To visit Ng’iresi itself you need a guide.

4pm: Old Boma Museum
Visit the Old Boma Museum at the end of Boma Road. This was the original German fort built in 1889 (and the centre of some disputes between local Masai and the colonialists). Small display of animal and hominid fossils unearthed at Olduvai and Laetoli plus lifesize models of Homo Australopithecus. Open 9am till 5pm.

5pm: Book Shopping
Browse a few books. Bookmark on Sokoin Road (opposite Twin Peaks Casino) has maps and books about Hemingway and Karen Blixen. You can also buy maps and guides at stalls clustered round the Clocktower or swap secondhand books down the alley that connects Boma Road and India Road.

7pm: Dinner on the Themi River
Dinner at Via Via part of the Boma complex on the banks of Themi River which is popular with both travellers and locals and stays open till 10pm. Comfortable shaded seating overlooking the river. Mixture of European and African food (tilapia in white wine a local speciality). If the local Kilimanjaro beer doesn’t appeal try Meru banana wine (available sweet or dry).

9pm: Clubbing
Colobus Club on the old Moshi Road hosts a disco and pool bar or try Rick’s Bar nearby. Soweto Gardens has a garden bar with live music over the weekends. For real nightowls ask at Via Via about their “Arusha Nightlife Tour” of the city’s outskirts.

Further information can be found locally at the Tanzanian Tourist Board (on the Boma Road next to Jambos) 8am-4pm weekdays.(info@habari.co.tz)

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