Day Trips
Look out for one of our guest-experience Videos of our Day Trips on YouTube!
Some of these excursions can even be combined to provide a really full day
1. NAPURU WATERFALLS
Pick up in Arusha from your hotel with packed lunch. This day excursion involves a beautiful, steep drive up into the foothills of Mount Meru, passing through mountain villages where you will certainly experience the ‘real Africa’. Arrive at an attractive plateau on the mountain, where you begin a remarkable descending hike, deep into dense tropical woodland, with a knowledgeable guide who will point out the varied birds and creatures. You reach the valley floor and traverse up the stream to reach the waterfall itself. This may involve some scrambling over rocks. You are advised to wear strong walking shoes and if you want to indulge in a dip beneath the torrent, bring swim shorts and a towel. There is a steep climb back to the plateau for a picnic.
2. MANGALIA WATERFALLS
You will be picked up from your hotel and driven high into the hills on a steep track through typical banana plantations and small villages. On arrival at Mangalia, you may visit the small traditional coffee house before being taken on the guided walk down to the waterfall. This is a less demanding hike than at Napuru, but the torrent is still very impressive, and once again there is the opportunity for a dip in the pool at its foot.
3. MATERUNI WATERFALLS
There is a longer drive to this spot from your hotel in Arusha as it is nearer to Moshi, but what a beautiful ascent it is, steeply climbing into the foothills of Kilimanjaro and passing upwards through some really impressively lush countryside! You will see the people who live in this high region and begin to appreciate the challenges they must face. There is a reasonable walk here down to the torrent but you will have a knowledgeable guide to show you the way., and there will be the opportunity for a dip here too.
4. CHEMKA HOT SPRINGS
This is a highly recommended day outing. After an hour-long drive along the main highway, you will cross an expansive plain through small villages and past tribal herdsmen tending their flocks, eventually reaching the hot springs, a wonderful, completely natural swimming place fed by volcanic springs. Surrounded by palm trees and tropical vegetation, you will be able to swim at your leisure, in clear water of around 25 deg which can be 6-10 metres deep. Do not worry, though, if you are not a confident swimmer as we can arrange for a guide to accompany you into the water and you can borrow a swimming aid! The more adventurous will want to try Tarzan-style swings into the water! Picnic lunch. Afterwards, if visibility permits, there may also be an opportunity to see and photograph the slopes of Kilimanjaro in the near distance.
5. LAKE DULUTI
This is another very special day outing from Arusha to Lake Duluti, a volcanic crater lake, within a short, easy drive. It offers the opportunity for an extended, guided, but fairly flat hike where you may see and hear a rich variety of wildlife, and birds and, if you are lucky, one of the huge lizards which inhabit the lake. If you are feeling active, we can also arrange canoeing, or for the more relaxed, guided boat trips on the lake. All these day trips can be extended with a visit to a coffee plantation or another cultural experience, depending on your availability.
6. ARUSHA CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTRE
Arusha is rightly proud of its Cultural Heritage Centre and a visit here will give a remarkable insight into African culture, particularly that of East Africa, and you will see many impressive artefacts telling this story, augmented on the higher floors by some beautiful ethnic art work from across the region. This visit, like many of our other day tours, might also be combined with a city walking tour with a guide and/or with a coffee plantation experience, a fitting end to your Chanua Africa Safari!
We will be able to give you prices for all these Day Excursions, once you have completed the Tour Planning Questionnaire.