cities - Page 1

Arusha

Arusha

Tanzania

Arusha city is located in the northern part of the country. The city is well known as the country’s main safari hub. It is a starting point for the very popular northern safaris, Serengeti national park, Ngorongoro conservation area, Lake Manyara, and the Tarangire. Arusha has a great view of the highest second Mountain in Tanzania, Meru as well as the famous Kilimanjaro all standing above the city.Did you know?  Arusha is located halfway between Cape Town and Cairo.When in Arusha, you will find an intriguing blend of cultures, such as Swahili, Indians, Europeans, Americans, and local native peoples like the Waarusha, Wameru, and Maasai. The presence of museums and historic sites within the city allows you to explore almost endlessly.Things to do in ArushaIf you are visiting Tanzania for your vacation it is highly likely you will stay a day or two in Arusha, which is the safari hub for the popular northern Tanzania parks. So  you will surely be interested in things you can do while you wait or return from your safariVisit the Cultural Heritage Centre is the place to see Tanzanian culture through art and artifacts. Beautiful exhibits tell the past and present stories of Tanzania and its people. There are lots of items for sale from the local artist, giving you the opportunity to contribute to the ever-growing artistic expression you will find throughout the countryVisit & shop at the Masai Market. This market is very popular among tourists visiting Arusha, in this market, you can go shopping for local crafts. Be prepared to bargain and negotiate for those interesting souvenirs. If you are a laid-back shopper you can avoid the market as the seller will be persuasive trying to make a deal which does not go well with some who are used and prefer shopping in peace & quietSee the clock tower, located in the center of Arusha. It also marks the midway from cape town to Cairo. There are a lot of great restaurants and stores nearbyKahawa coffee tour. Tanzanian coffee is famous around the world for its rich flavors, so why not go straight to the source and try it for yourself? You can visit a plantation where you’ll have the chance to roast and grind your beans and enjoy a hot cup of the freshest coffee you’ll ever have.Meserani snake park. You can head for the Meserani Snake Park, where you can feed baboons, hold wild tortoises and get up close with dozens of slithering snakes. Expert guides explain the difference between each of the species protected at Meserani and explore the necessary steps to protect people from their poison.Shanga. Shanga, meaning ‘bead’ in Swahili, is a heart-warming project dedicated to supporting and empowering community members with disabilities. Abiding by a commitment to environmentally sustainable business practices, Shanga comprises a bustling workshop that creates works of art often from recycled goods and a trendy boutique. Shanga has grown exponentially from what started as one beaded necklace and a desire to help those in need.Visit local vegetable markets, visiting a local market is something not to miss. Here you get a chance to experience a different way of shopping unlike the common self-service vegetable shopping in supermarkets you are accustomed to. Also learning about various vegetables present in the markets.Go hiking to the Meru waterfalls, these falls are just outside of the city the adventurous path leading to the falls makes this journey interesting, you will also see a lot of vegetation and nature.Visit the Kikuletwa hot springs, these hot springs are one not to miss with clear and clean waters it is the perfect place to go for a swim. This spring however is about 60km from the city. We do offer a full-day trip going to Materuni waterfalls & coffee plantations in Moshi then visiting these springs for a swim before going back to ArushaSee lake Duluti, this lake is just 13km from the city you can go canoeing, walking tour on its forest reserve, or just lay back and chill to enjoy the viewsArusha nightlife, there are not many clubs & hot spots in Arusha however the few spots available are safe, ex-pat & tourist-friendly with eclectic music mix and languid vibe. Zeze Lounge is a great spot for Thursday, a mix of The Hub, The don’s & Billys Rivers on the weekendsVolunteering in child care centers.Arusha declaration museum & the Boma Museum Art center.Arusha city is a year-round touring destination, it is where you will find comfortable accommodations and plenty of things to do for one or two days before you head out on your safari.Getting to ArushaThere are multiple ways to get to Arusha depending on where you are, for international travelers we recommend you fly internationally to Kilimanjaro airport (JRO) from there you can take a taxi to Arusha, alternatively, you can fly to dar es salaam international airport or Zanzibar international airport and from there take a local flight to Arusha airport (ARK)  If you are already in Tanzania, we recommend you take a local flight to Arusha airport (ark) or you can take a bus from any region in the Tanzania mainland to Arusha.

  Rate : $2370 to $3240

  Best time : It is a year-round touring destination

  High season : July to August

Moshi

Moshi

Tanzania

Moshi is a small town located at the foot slopes of the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania. The town has remarkable scenery and striking views of the mountain from every corner. Moshi sits at an altitude of about 890 meters and hence has cool weather for most of the year.Volcanic soils on the mountain slopes are very fertile allowing the land to be ideal for coffee and bananas to thrive. The main natives of Moshi are the Chagga people though Pare and Maasai are also inhabiting the area.Moshi Town Things to do in Moshi:Moshi town is nestled at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro; it is the hiking hub. So many travelers especially those going to hike Kilimanjaro will spend a day or two as they prepare or after they return from their hike. So here are some activities you can doExplore the local markets, with a very different setting local vegetable markets are something you will want to see and experience.Visit Materuni waterfalls, going to the falls you will have a short hike through great scenes. We do have a full day trip visiting the waterfalls & coffee plantations then later heading to kikuletwa Hotsprings.Tourists Feasting Local Food in MoshiVisit coffee farms & plantations, Tanzanian coffee is great! But a chance to learn and make your own cup of local coffee will add to the satisfaction. From roasting the coffee beans to grinding & purifying them until it’s ready Chagga tribe songs add morale to the processVisiting Marangu waterfalls, there are many waterfalls options to choose from in Moshi. Marangu is one of the best, you will also have a great view of Mount Kilimanjaro if it’s not a cloudy dayVisiting lake Challa, this crater lake is about 50km away there is great scenic beauty and magnificent views of the lake as you relax at the crater rim resort, you can also hike and canoe which are common activities at the lakeVisiting a banana farm, the Chagga community that lives in Moshi is one of the popular consumers of banana products in Tanzania, from eating green & yellow bananas to consuming local banana wine. Visiting a farm you can learn various ways of cooking the green banana and trying local banana wine should also be on top of your list.Mount Kilimanjaro View In MoshiGetting to MoshiThere are multiple ways to get to Moshi depending on where you are, for international travelers we recommend you fly internationally to Kilimanjaro airport (JRO) from there you can take a taxi to Moshi,  If you are already in Tanzania you can take a bus from any region in the Tanzania mainland to Moshi.Moshi Highway

  Rate : $ to $

  Best time : year-round touring destination,

  High season : no crowds year out

Lushoto

Lushoto

Tanzania

Located in the northeast of Tanzania, bordered to the north by Kenya, and to the west by the Kilimanjaro region, lushoto is one of the eight districts in Tanga, the heartland of the wasambaa community. This highland town is the center of the Usambara, it is the base of hikers visiting the Usambara mountains and other travelers set to enjoy its optimistic beauty, stunning scenery, a breath of fresh air, sweeping landscapes, and rainforests. This is one of the most biodiverse places in Africa with its growing popularity many travelers head to lushoto mainly for the moderate hikes in the Usambara mountains.Lushoto Waterfalls Best Time to Visit Lushoto:The best time to visit Lushoto in Tanzania is from January and February and May through November. In this period, you have a hot temperature and little precipitation. The highest average temperature in Lushoto is 89°F in February and the lowest is 77°F in June.Lushoto Mountains Things to Do at Lushoto:Mountain climbingHikingDay toursHiking at Lushoto Mountains Weather and Climate Visit Lushoto;Lushoto Weather in January-March:The time has been observed as the peak season to visit Lushoto and rightly so. The temperatures range between 57℉ and 91℉ and the humidity has been observed to be the usual 79% marking the perfect climate to head out and check out the best things to do in Lushoto. Expect an average precipitation of 208.56 mm.Lushoto Weather in April-June:A pleasant time to be in Lushoto, the temperature lies within the range of 54℉ and 82℉, the average being 66℉. Although the weather is humid, it is not hot enough to make you not like it outdoors! All in all, a good time to be here! The average precipitation recorded around this time is 208.49 mm.Lushoto Weather in July-September:An excellent season to visit Lushoto, the average temperature falls around 64℉. The weather is great outdoors, the air being moderately humid. This is most likely one of the best times to visit Lushoto and also a tourist high season. The average precipitation recorded around this time is 30.35 mm. Lushoto Weather in October-December:A pleasant time to be in Lushoto, the temperature lies within the range of 55℉ and 86℉, the average being 68℉. Although the weather is humid, it is not hot enough to make you not like it outdoors! All in all, a good time to be here! The average precipitation recorded around this time is 253.71 mm.Tourist enjoying the View of Lushoto Getting to Lushoto:To get to Lushoto from Dar, you can take any bus to Moshi/Arusha and get off at Mombo (4.5 hrs). Then take a dala or Coaster up to Lushoto (1 hour, 2500sh.) Or there are a few buses that go straight to Lushoto from Dar. Ibariki Tanzania bus is 12,000. Mbaruku is 10,000. There are a few others, but those are the two main ones. To get to or from Moshi/Arusha, you can take any bus to Dar and get off at Mombo or hop in Chakito straight to Lushoto.Tourists on the peak of Lushoto

  Rate : $ to $

  Best time : june - october

  High season : no crowds year out

Tanga

Tanga

Tanzania

Located in the northeast it is a port city (second largest seaport) of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean and the surrounding region, this was once another stopping point in competition with Pangani (now part of Tanga region) and Bagamoyo (part of the coastal region) for caravans on their way to central Tanzania in search of ivory and slaves, it was the center of Germans colonial administration, a major industrial center until the collapse of the sisal market leaving it with a sleepy, semi-colonial atmosphere, with streets filled with cyclists and motorcycles.Tanga Beaches Things to do in Tanga:Tanga is not just a town, it is a whole region with plenty of things to do if you are ready to head to its remote areas. With this being said there are activities you can do in your day in Tanga and some are remote places you should visit and probably spend a night or two.Visiting Amboni caves, which are believed to be the most extensive limestone caves in East Africa, are located in Kiomoni village. The caves, a one, and half kilometer stretch are fascinating historical site, which was used as hiding places for the locals.Visiting Pangani, head to Pangani and learn the history of the place or relax at the beachRelaxing by the beach, visit raskazone beach, you can also take a boat to a sandbank nearbyUrithi tanga museum, you can visit the museum and learn a lot about the history of the areaGalanos hot springs, Gallanos sulfurous hot spring which the local people use to bath for skin healing the locals believe if they bath thereToten islands, on your dhow or engine boat, sail to Toten Island to meet the fishing villagers and explore a coastal forest dominated by huge and majestic Baobabs. Listen to hundreds of tales and myths surrounding the Baobab trees and the island. Proceed to the Portuguese ruins which are remains of what used to be a prison in the 15th century. Explore the great places where at different colonial times British and Germans lived.Toten island TangaTongoni ruins, Tongoni provides an insight into the early settler’s lifestyle in the fishing village. Ruins of ancient mosques, tombs, and remains of the first Shiraz of Persian origin, with elaborate inscriptions and stone carvings, are found here.Visiting Mkomazi national park, this park is home to many species one of the parks you can spot all the African big five and even the rarely-seen African wild dogs. This park is also close to the Kilimanjaro regionVisiting sisal plantations, Learn the whole process from how sisal is grown to the final stage of making sisal ropes locally and other modern factory processing ways. Then proceed to local salt mining farms just beyond sisal plantations.Visiting Usambara mountains in Lushoto and Magoroto forest in Muheza (part of the tanga region), heading to the Usambara is something not to miss, with the great scenery, and breathtaking views these mountains are one for you looking for moderate and a budget hikeVisiting Saadani national park in the nearby coastal region, although it is not in tanga it is very close and you can go for a safari to this small park where the bush meets the beach.Locals Passing through the Beach Getting to Tanga:You can hire private transportation, or take a bus from dar es salam, Arusha, Moshi, or Mombasa, you can also fly to Tanga from other domestic airports in Tanzania.Tanga Beaches

  Rate : $ to $

  Best time : june - october

  High season : no crowds year out

Mbeya

Mbeya

Tanzania

This is a region in the southwest of Tanzania, its capital Mbeya city is at the base of the Loleza peak, just between the Mbeya and Poroto mountain ranges. This is the fifth-largest city in Tanzania, it borders Zambia in the south. On the town’s outskirts, there are a lot of attractions though not fully exploited.Mbeya City Things to do in Mbeya:These activities will take you to the top attractions that you should visit once you are in Mbeya.Visiting Mbeya and Loleza peaks, hiking to these peaks, and enjoying a stunning view of the city.Visit the Kiwira river, well known for its naturally formed pot-looking landform Kijungu and daraja la Mungu “God’s bridge” a natural bridge.Mbozi meteorite, head to Marengi hill to explore the Mbozi meteorite believed to have fallen a thousand years ago. It is the world’s eighth-largest fallen meteoroid.Visit the Matema beach, which is best for recreation with the cool weather and soft sands of lake Nyasa. Various tourist investments including the construction of lodges are taking place on the shores of Lake Nyasa.Visit the Ngosi crater lake, the second-largest crater lake in Africa.Mbozi Meteorite Other places you can visit from Mbeya:Kitulo national park is dubbed the Serengeti of flowers, the garden of god this botanical park hosts one of the great floral spectacles of the world.Start your southern circuit safari, you can start your southern circuit safari from Mbeya by visiting the unexploited Tanzania southern parks.Crater Lake Ngosi Getting to Mbeya:You can fly to Mbeya from major domestic airports mainly Dar es salaam or Dodoma, or you can take a bus from elsewhere in Tanzania, you can also take a bus from Zambia to Mbeya.Mbeya Train Transport

  Rate : $ to $

  Best time : June to October

  High season : no crowds year out