Since jumbo jets started landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Arusha has become a most accessible gateway to the wildlife parks of the Northern Circuit (Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire, as well as the Ngorongoro Crater). If your safari doesn't start in neighboring Kenya, it will most likely start in Arusha. This growing city is generally regarded as the safari capital of Tanzania, and many safari operators are based there. Flycatchers, the young men who solicit business for safari companies, can sometimes be a nuisance, so ensure you choose a reputable tour operator. The tourist office keeps a list of recommended companies. The city doesn't have many attractions of its own, but it sits in a pleasant, lush valley. Divided by the Naura River, Arusha lies close to the base of 15,000-ft/4,575-m Mount Meru, and its outskirts are also in sight of Mount Kilimanjaro (both mountains are frequently hidden by clouds, which most often clear shortly after dawn or just before dusk). The city's shops are fairly ordinary (look for the shoemakers running their treadle machines outdoors). The selection of souvenirs and artwork is not vast, but it is good, and you can pick up Maasai art in the markets. You can see most of the city in a few hours. 300 mi/485 km northwest of Dar es Salaam.
