15 Nov 2022
Moshi is the capital of Kilimanjaro region, 40 km drive from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO). As the gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park, it’s a natural stopover destination for climbers.
If you do find yourself with some time to kill in Moshi, either before or after your climb or safari, we definitely suggest exploring this pretty little city and its gems. Even if it’s just finding your way to a coffee shop or restaurant so you can drop into a chair and gaze with heroic eyes at the mountain you just conquered or you are decide to explore its surrounding.
Moshi has some fantastic restaurants to the tastes of both its local and international customers. While popping into an unknown eatery that you spot and like the look of can lead to a great find, not everyone likes to leave things to chance. However, in Moshi you can find a lot of establishments as having great settings and ambience and offering the best service, food and drinks. You can drink the region’s famous Arabica coffee, as well a lots of tasty snacks, including local favorites and eat the most traditional tanzanian dishes.
If you’re looking to take home some local art, jewelry, crafts, coffee beans or other souvenirs, you’ll find options all over Moshi. There are so many that are worth a visit, it’s hard to pick just a few to recommend!
The Central Market (open seven days a week) is the busiest and most interesting of Moshi’s markets. We recommend taking time explore through the warren of alleyways. You’ll find locally products like spices, coffee beans and teas sold alongside cheap Chinese imports. This is the working heart of Moshi. Traditional herbalists can also been seen selling their wares.
Between 35,000 and 50,000 people climb Kilimanjaro every year. If you're looking for a challenge it doesn't come bigger than this.
There are multiple routes to choose from varying in degrees of difficulty, scenery and number of days required. In this link you can find all the routes that we offer you. Kilimanjaro routes.
If you don't fancy climbing all the way to the top, you can do a day trek. This gives you a taste of the mountain.
Materuni Waterfall is a spectacular 90 m waterfall in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, just north of Moshi. A short but taxing hike along a forested footpath brings you to the base of the waterfall, where the water collects in a beautifully clear little pool that is safe to swim.
Swimming in the Kikuletwa Hot Spring is definitely one of the best things to do near Moshi. The hot spring (also known as Chemka Hot Springs for the nearby campsite) is encircled by trees, giving you a sense of being tucked away from the world and its demands.
Split by the border of Kenya and Tanzania, Lake Chala is an impressive, beautifully tranquil crater lake.
It can be done as a day trip, but to truly appreciate the place it's worth staying a night.
Lake Chala is in a Wildlife Management area. This means that you'll need to pay a government fee before you actually get to Lake Chala.
Set on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro Animal Crew was founded to create a safe place for rescued animals in Tanzania.
While here, you’ll get to go on walks around the farm with wild monkeys who don’t mind tracking your footsteps, as well as meet the other rescued animals that reside here.
Rau forest tour will surely give you a true African forest experience. Rau presents an incredible abundance of nature and you will see several unique tree species and the East Africa’s oldest tree called East African teak (Milicia excelsa). The locals call this tree Mvule Mkuu. Also, there are blue monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and several bird species. On a clear day, you may also have great views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Marangu is a market town and it is visited by all those who want to trek through this route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. The village is an ideal starting point with a number of opportunities for the travelers that include the hiking, bird watching and most importantly taking the sights of the Rural Africa where you can feel the real thrill of traditional Africa.
In Marangu you can visit the Chagga Caves where the Chagga women and children hid during the wars with the Maasai over 200 years ago and learn of he life style of the local Chagga tribe.
However it is a good place to coffee tour and banana beer tasting.
There three main waters falls at Marangu. The waterfalls are situated in the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro 40 minutes’ drive from Moshi town.
These mountains are found in a quiet village, south of Moshi. The mountains remain relatively unexplored because most hikers prefer the challenge of Kilimanjaro and Meru. However, if you love doing something different and nature, you will find the Pare mountains amazing. They are surrounded by beautiful forests and excellent hiking trails that will impress any adventurous visitor. You can also visit the nearby Lake Jipe and go out fishing with the local fishermen or see hippos and elephants especially in the morning hours.
