Arusha: History, Tanzanite and Nature

For your planning, it is worth distinguishing between the cultural and natural history topics associated with Arusha. They range from Tanzania’s social, economic and political history and Tanzanite mining to human evolution, plant life and art. You can tailor your visit to the perspective you would like to explore in more depth. The Northern Circuit Information Centre on Boma Road in central Arusha serves a different purpose: it provides information about attractions, facilities and activities in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Check whether the centre is open before visiting.

National History at the Arusha Declaration Museum

The Arusha Declaration Museum in Kaloleni presents Tanzania’s social, economic and political history. Topics covered include the Arusha Declaration and the country’s independence movement. These points are part of a broader national history: the museum covers both a specific declaration and a movement connected with independence. This distinguishes its political and social focus from geological or natural history museum topics.

Tanzanite: Mine Shaft and Rocks

At the Tanzanite Experience Museum in Blue Plaza in Arusha, a recreated mine shaft illustrates Tanzanite mining. The museum also offers a guided tour of the rocks on display, providing historical and geological context. The shaft and the tour have different focuses: the shaft brings mining to life, while the tour places the rocks in their historical and geological context. Both the extraction of Tanzanite and the examination of the rocks on display are central to the experience. Check the latest tour times in advance.

Evolution and Plants at the Natural History Museum

The National Natural History Museum in Arusha includes a human evolution gallery and a small botanical garden. Living, endemic, threatened and useful native plant species from Tanzania grow there. The gallery and garden draw attention to two different natural history topics: human evolution and plant life. While the gallery explores a question of human development, the garden focuses on living plant species from Tanzania. The plants’ characteristics range from being endemic and threatened to being useful.

Art and Traditions Around Arusha

In the vicinity of Arusha, the Cultural Heritage Centre takes visitors through galleries, workshops and museum spaces. It shares stories about art, artists and the cultural traditions represented. This focus on art and traditions differs from the national history, geological and natural history topics covered by the museums in Arusha. The Centre is outside the city centre. Factor in its location when planning your trip and putting together the cultural attractions at your destination.

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