GARE ROUTIÈRE NATIONALE

It is home to many bus companies that provide connections to the country's major cities (Kigoma, Mwanza, Tanga, Morogoro, Dar, Singida...). For destinations not too far away such as Babati (3.30 hours from Arusha), there are buses all morning. On the other hand, for others like Singida or Engaruka (Lake Natron) from 6 to 8 hours from Arusha) a departure at dawn is essential, usually around 6am. As a general rule, it is advisable to go to the central station the day before your departure to check the timetable and make a reservation. In Arusha, even more than elsewhere, you have to be wary of drummers: they can lie about prices and schedules. And be careful with your pockets and bags in the crowd of these same reelers.

For Mto wa Mbu and Babati, take a bus to Dodoma. Buses also exist for Karatu, the base of the national parks.

For Dar (9 to 10 hours of driving on average, sometimes 11), prefer the luxury buses that exist only for this link, some with TV, reclining seats, air conditioning, wifi, toilets, etc. Direct route (50,000 TSH) with Dar Express, Kilimanjaro Express, Buffalo and Bm Luxury Coach. Remember to book in advance as places are scarce.

For Dodoma and Babati, the new paved road is now good to Kondoa and then there are more or less good passages to Dodoma but it takes 7 hours of driving in total.

For Mwanga, Same, Mkomazi or Mombo (on the Arusha-Dar highway between Moshi and Segera), the fastest and easiest way is to take a bus to Dar and get off at the desired location along the way. There is a direct bus to Usangi, in the Pare du Nord mountains. Allow 4 hours of travel time. And another for Lushoto, in the Usambara Mountains. Allow 7 hours and a half of travel time.

For Mwanza via the Western Serengeti Corridor, this is of little interest because it requires the payment of two days' park tax in Ngorongoro and Serengeti and the journey is no faster than that through Nairobi and above all the bus does not stop, it only crosses, it is not for tourists.

For Singida (via Babati and Katesh). Allow at least 7 to 8 hours of driving time. The dirt road becomes very chaotic from Babati: it is therefore better to sit in the first half of the bus so as not to make big jumps and risk hitting your head.

For Tanga, it takes at least 7 hours by car.

And for those who would like to catch the last ferry to the south shore in Pangani (6pm), it is advisable either to take the first morning bus and change buses in Tanga, or to get off at Muheza and get in a taxi. The latter solution is less economical, but saves a lot of time and energy. It is also possible (and faster) to take a bus to Dar and get off at Segera (junction between Dar and Tanga), then reach Muheza or Tanga afterwards with another bus