No Match Today? The Best Things to Do in Arusha for AFCON 2027 Fans

By Elem Adventures Travel Experts · 2026-10-23 · 12 min read

Quick Answer

Looking for things to do in Arusha during AFCON 2027? You will have free days between matches, and Arusha is one of the best cities in East Africa to fill them. On a match day, try a half-day Arusha town tour, a Maasai village visit or a coffee farm in the morning, and be back in plenty of time for kick-off. On a free day, choose a full-day trip such as Arusha National Park, the Chemka hot springs, the Materuni waterfall and coffee farm, Lake Duluti or a Mount Meru day hike. With two or three days, you can do a short safari to Tarangire or Ngorongoro Crater.

Here is everything to do in and around Arusha during the tournament, with honest timings so you never miss a match.

Arusha at a Glance for AFCON Fans

• Host stadium: the new Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium, about 30,000 seats, built for AFCON 2027. CAF has not yet confirmed which matches it will host.
• Altitude: about 1,400 metres, with warm days and cool evenings in June and July. Bring a light jacket for night matches.
• Airport: Kilimanjaro International (JRO), about 1 to 1.5 hours away, plus Arusha Airport for domestic flights.
• Nickname: often called the "Geneva of Africa" for the international organisations based here, and the safari capital of Tanzania.

New to the tournament? Start with our AFCON 2027 Tanzania travel guide.

Day Trips from Arusha at a Glance

Browse all our day trips from Arusha or read our longer guide to the best day trips from Arusha.

Match-Day Ideas: Back Well Before Kick-Off

Explore Arusha Town and the Curio Markets

Arusha's centre is lively and easy to explore with a local guide. Highlights include the busy central market, craft and curio shops, and the clock tower in the heart of town. It is the best place to pick up souvenirs such as Maasai beadwork, kangas, carvings and Tanzanian coffee. Join our Arusha town tour and read what to buy in Tanzania.

Visit a Maasai Village

Spend a morning with a Maasai community to learn about their traditions, homes, dress and daily life. It is a respectful, eye-opening experience and one of the most memorable things to do near Arusha. Book our Maasai cultural village tour and read about Maasai culture.

Try Tanzanian Coffee

The slopes around Arusha and Kilimanjaro grow some of Africa's finest coffee. Visit a small farm, see how beans are picked, roasted and ground, and taste a cup fresh from the fire. Read about Tanzanian peaberry coffee.

Eat Like a Local

Match days call for good food. Try nyama choma (grilled meat), chips mayai (a chip omelette), mishkaki (meat skewers) and fresh tropical fruit, washed down with a local beer or soda. Read traditional Tanzanian food and Tanzanian beer and local drinks.

Free-Day Adventures: The Best Full-Day Trips

Arusha National Park: A Safari 45 Minutes from Town

Arusha National Park is the closest park to the city, and one of the most underrated. In a single day you can see giraffes, zebras, buffalo, black-and-white colobus monkeys, flamingos on the Momella Lakes, and Mount Meru towering above. It also offers walking safaris with an armed ranger. Book our Arusha National Park safari or read the Arusha National Park guide.

Chemka Hot Springs: Swim in Turquoise Water

Chemka, also called Kikuletwa, is a natural spring-fed pool of crystal-clear, warm water surrounded by fig trees, between Arusha and Moshi. It is the perfect way to relax after a big match. Bring swimwear, a towel and water shoes. Book our Chemka hot springs trip.

Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Farm

Hike through farmland and forest on the slopes of Kilimanjaro to a waterfall, then join a Chagga family to roast and brew your own coffee. Book our Materuni waterfall and coffee tour, read about the Chagga people of Kilimanjaro, and see more Tanzania waterfalls.

Lake Duluti: Canoe on a Crater Lake

Just outside Arusha, Lake Duluti is a peaceful volcanic crater lake surrounded by forest, with Mount Meru views and lots of birdlife. Paddle a canoe, walk the forest trail and enjoy a quiet day. Book our Lake Duluti canoe adventure.

Mount Meru Day Hike

Tanzania's second-highest mountain, at about 4,566 metres, rises right behind Arusha. A day hike on its forested lower slopes passes waterfalls and wildlife, with views across to Kilimanjaro on clear days. It is also great acclimatisation if you plan to climb Kilimanjaro later. Book our Mount Meru day hike or read the Mount Meru guide.

Chala Lake and Ngurdoto Crater

For something off the beaten path, visit the striking crater lake of Chala on the Tanzania and Kenya border, or the hidden Ngurdoto Crater and bird sanctuary. See our Chala Lake trip and Ngurdoto Crater trip. Birders should read birdwatching around Arusha and Kilimanjaro.

Got Two or Three Days? Go on Safari

With a longer gap between matches, the big northern parks are within reach:

• Tarangire: about 2 to 2.5 hours away, famous for elephants and baobabs.
• Lake Manyara: about 2 hours away, with flamingos and tree-climbing lions.
• Ngorongoro Crater: about 3 to 3.5 hours away, the best place to see the Big Five in a day.

See our sample itineraries in AFCON 2027 in Arusha: how to combine match days with a safari. Feeling adventurous? Read climb Kilimanjaro during AFCON 2027.

Where to Watch the Other Matches in Arusha

Not every game will be played in Arusha, but the whole city will be watching. Expect official fan zones and big screens in public spaces, as well as matches shown in hotels, sports bars and restaurants across town. Details of official fan zones are usually announced closer to the tournament. Check with your hotel or guide on the day.

Getting Around Arusha

• Taxis: the easiest option. Agree the price before you get in, or ask your hotel to book one.
• Bajaji (tuk-tuks) and boda bodas (motorbike taxis): cheap but less safe. If you use a boda boda, always wear a helmet.
• Private driver or tour operator: the most comfortable choice for day trips, stadium transfers and late-night returns.

Read how to get around Tanzania as a tourist.

Safety Tips for Match Days

• Leave valuables at your hotel and carry only what you need to the stadium.
• Keep your phone secure in crowds and fan zones.
• After night matches, use a pre-booked taxi or your operator's transfer rather than walking.
• Stay hydrated in the daytime sun, and bring a warm layer for the evening.

Read is Tanzania safe for tourists and is Tanzania safe for solo travellers.

Learn a Few Swahili Football Words

• Bao! or Goli! means goal! You will hear "bao" most often from Tanzanian commentators.
• Mpira means football, the ball, or the game.
• Timu means team.
• Hongera! means congratulations!
• Asante sana means thank you very much.

More in our Swahili phrases for travellers.

Conclusion

Arusha is more than an AFCON host city. It is the doorway to some of Africa's most spectacular landscapes, wildlife and cultures. Plan half-day trips around your match days, save the bigger adventures for free days, and leave room for at least one safari.

Elem Adventures is based right here in Arusha. We will build your day trips, stadium transfers and safaris around your exact match schedule. See all day trips, contact us or request a quote.