More Activities to Enjoy Around Arusha

🚲 Cycling Around Local Villages

Explore the countryside on two wheels.

Cycle through the beautiful landscapes around Arusha, with Mount Meru rising above you. Ride along quiet dirt roads through banana plantations, local farms and small villages, passing fields, gardens and everyday village life along the way.

Depending on the route, you can cycle to waterfalls, viewpoints and farms owned by local villagers, stopping along the way to enjoy the scenery, take photos and meet local people.

It’s a great way to get off the main roads and experience the green, peaceful side of Arusha at your own pace.

 

Authentic Maasai village tour/visit

Spend time with a local Maasai community and learn about traditional homes, livestock, food, crafts, music and everyday life.

Meet local community members, hear their stories and learn about traditions that remain an important part of life in Northern Tanzania.

The experience gives you an opportunity to meet people directly and see a side of Tanzania that you won’t experience from a safari vehicle.

 

🍳 Traditional Tanzanian Cooking

From the farm to your plate.

This is more than a cooking lesson — it starts right in our gardens. Walk through the farm with us, pick fresh vegetables, herbs and other ingredients, and learn where the food you are about to cook comes from.

Then head to the kitchen and learn how to prepare a traditional Tanzanian meal using the fresh produce you have just collected. We’ll show you local cooking techniques, spices and flavors, and you’ll take part in preparing the meal from start to finish.

Finally, sit down and enjoy the meal you cooked yourself, made with ingredients picked fresh from Banana Farm.

Pick it. Cook it. Eat it. Experience Tanzania through its food.

♨️ Kikuletwa Hot Springs

Full-day trip

Spend the day at Kikuletwa Hot Springs, one of the most popular natural swimming spots around Arusha.

Swim in the warm, clear water surrounded by trees and countryside, relax in the natural pools and enjoy a refreshing day away from the city.

The journey through the countryside is part of the experience, and the trip can be arranged with transport from Banana Farm.

🌿 Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee

Full-day trip

Travel towards the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and explore the beautiful countryside around Materuni Village.

Walk through the lush landscape to Materuni Waterfalls, then experience traditional Chagga coffee preparation. Learn how coffee is roasted and prepared using traditional methods and enjoy a freshly prepared cup.

It is a great combination of nature, local culture and coffee in one day.

🐎 Horse Riding

Day experience

Explore the countryside on horseback.

Ride through the green countryside around Arusha, passing farms, village roads and open landscapes with views towards Mount Meru.

Horse riding can be arranged for different experience levels, from a relaxed countryside ride to a longer adventure. It is a beautiful way to explore the area at a slower pace.

🏙️ Arusha City & Market Tour

Half-day or full-day

Discover Arusha beyond the tourist hotels.

Explore the city with a local guide, visit local markets, shops and cultural places, and experience the everyday rhythm of Arusha.

You can visit local markets, explore craft shops, see how people shop for everyday food and discover some of the city’s favourite local places. The tour can be adapted depending on what you would like to see and experience.

💎 Tanzanite Experience

Arusha city

Discover the story of Tanzanite, the rare blue gemstone found only in Tanzania.

Learn about its connection to Northern Tanzania, how it is mined and processed, and how the rough stone is transformed into the beautiful gemstones and jewellery you see today.

It is an interesting stop to combine with an Arusha city tour.

🎨 Art, Crafts & Culture

Arusha

Discover Tanzanian creativity through local art, crafts and handmade products.

Visit cultural and craft centres around Arusha, see traditional and contemporary artwork, meet local artisans and browse handmade products. It is also a chance to learn more about Tanzania’s different cultures and artistic traditions.

🦒 Arusha National Park

Half-day or full-day experience

Arusha National Park is one of the closest national parks to Banana Farm and sits around the slopes of Mount Meru. The park combines forest, lakes, open grassland and spectacular mountain scenery, with opportunities to see giraffes, buffalo, monkeys, birds and other wildlife.

For a shorter visit, enjoy a half-day game drive or walking safari with a trained ranger. Walking safaris allow you to experience the forest and landscape on foot and are available on designated trails.

For a full-day experience, take more time to explore the park, including the Momella Lakes, Ngurdoto area and forest landscapes, with opportunities for wildlife viewing and beautiful views of Mount Meru.

🏔️ Mount Meru Day Hike

Full-day hiking experience

If you want to experience Mount Meru without committing to a multi-day climb, we can arrange a day hike on Mount Meru.

Depending on the route and hiking plan, you can explore the lower slopes, forests and mountain landscapes with a guide and ranger. Mount Meru rises to 4,566 m, and the mountain offers spectacular views across the surrounding area.

A day hike does not reach the summit. It is designed for guests who want to experience the mountain, forest and altitude before returning to Banana Farm the same day.

For guests wanting to climb higher, multi-day Mount Meru climbs are also available.

🏔️ Mount Kilimanjaro — Shira Day Hike

Full-day experience

Experience Mount Kilimanjaro without committing to a full summit climb.

The Shira route takes you to the high-altitude Shira Plateau, one of the oldest volcanic sections of Kilimanjaro. The Shira area reaches around 3500 m above sea level, with dramatic mountain landscapes, open moorland and views across the mountain.

The day involves driving to the mountain before hiking through the high-altitude landscape. You will not reach Kilimanjaro’s summit, but you get to experience the mountain at a considerable altitude and explore one of its most spectacular areas.

Important: Because the hike starts at high altitude, guests should be comfortable with walking and should discuss any altitude or health concerns with us before booking.

🏔️ Mount Kilimanjaro — Marangu Day Hike

Full-day experience

The Marangu Route is one of the most famous approaches to Mount Kilimanjaro. For a day hike, you can walk from Marangu Gate at approximately 2800 m into the beautiful montane forest and higher sections of the route.

Enjoy the cool forest, mountain scenery and changing vegetation as you climb. Depending on the agreed hiking itinerary and time available, the hike can reach higher sections of the Marangu route before returning to the gate the same day.

This is a good option for guests who want to walk on Kilimanjaro and experience its rainforest environment without undertaking a multi-day summit climb.

🗻 Want to Climb Higher?

If a day hike leaves you wanting more, Banana Farm can also arrange multi-day Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro climbs, including guides, park arrangements and transport.

Kilimanjaro’s summit, Uhuru Peak, stands at 5,895 m, making it the highest point in Africa. Proper acclimatization is important, and Kilimanjaro National Park requires all climbs to be undertaken with a licensed guide/operator.

These hikes are about experiencing the mountain, not just reaching a particular point — take your time, enjoy the landscape and listen to your guide.

Make Your Stay Your Own

Whether you want to learn something new, cook with ingredients from our garden, explore the countryside, meet local people, swim, discover Arusha or spend a day in nature, there is plenty to experience around Banana Farm.

Some activities are right here on the farm, while others can be arranged as half-day or full-day trips.

Tell us what you would like to experience, and we’ll help you plan your day.