Arusha in Tanzania is one of the larger urban areas, beautifully situated on the outer slopes of Mount Meru, about 100 kilometres south of the border with Kenya. Due to its central location and its infrastructure, Arusha forms your natural starting point for a safari to the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara or Tarangire. It is also a good starting place for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 metres) or Mount Meru (4560 metres).
The nearby Arusha National Park in Tanzania is a small reserve that is situated very close to the Arusha town area. This region has an interesting history as regional centre for many peace initiatives (it welcomed both former Presidents Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela in recent years) and hosts the United Nations international criminal tribunal for Rwanda.
Kigongoni Lodge is located 15 minutes driving from the centre of Arusha on the way to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Arusha has a mild climate during most of the year, with average temperatures from 20-28 degrees C (68-82 degrees F). During the rainy season in April and May one can expect a regular tropical shower, although it is rare to have showers all day long, or for multiple days in a row. In June and July it can be chilly at night.
How to get to Kigongoni Lodge near Arusha, Tanzania
By Road
Arusha in Tanzania is a one-and-a-half hour drive from the Kenyan border and an 8 hour drive from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
By Air
Kilimanjaro International Airport is used for international flights and Arusha Airport is used for domestic flights. Arusha Airport is a short 10km from Kigongoni Lodge, and the lodge is only a 45 minute drive from the Kilimanjaro International Airport, allowing international visitors arriving late at the airport to see their well-deserved rest soon after arrival. Transfers can be arranged to/from each of these airports.
