Overview

The town of Moshi is a popular tourist destination in Tanzania, it is the gateway and capital of the Kilimanjaro region, where most of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences begin. Moshi was built by the German colonists in Africa during the early 19th century, it has a rich and turbulent history and a fascinating Swahili culture. The city sits at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro, a low-key place with an appealing blend of African and Asian influences, it is the center of Tanzania’s major coffee-growing regions.

The region features beautiful expansive coffee plantations, cascading waterfalls, hot and natural springs, and verdant tropical forests. There are a number of things to see and do in Moshi including cultural tours and hikes on the mountain's lower slopes. There is a unique mixture of urban and rural landscapes making it a peaceful and enjoyable place to visit. There is no shortage of adventures and activities to explore in Moshi. The city is surrounded by remarkable scenery and striking views of the Roof of Africa, the volcanic soils are very fertile allowing coffee and bananas to thrive.

Things to see and do

One of the main draws to Moshi is its proximity to Mount Kilimanjaro, which can be seen when approaching the city. This dormant volcano is the highest mountain in Africa soaring to 19,340 feet above sea level, the peak is sometimes referred to as the “Roof of Africa”. There are thousands of tourists that visit the mountain annually to reach its summit, this is considered one of the most challenging hikes in the world. Hiking to the summit can be done by anyone with a good level of mental preparedness and a certain level of fitness. The hike takes anywhere between 5-10 days depending on your level of fitness, ability, and time. There are seven different hiking routes that all lead to the summit; Umbwe, Shira, Rongai, Mweka, Marangu, Machame, and Lemosho. Each route offers a different experience in terms of scenery, wildlife, and verdant forests.

Visit the Masai Cultural Museum/Village and learn about one of Africa’s most intriguing tribes. The Masai are related to the Nuer and Dinka tribes in South Sudan, they are relatively tall people that stand out from others especially when they wear their vibrant colored shukas. Here at the museum/village visitors can get a better understanding of their unique way of life, with opportunities to experience authentic Masai culture and life. It was built to resemble a typical Masai homestead and is a place to learn about the Masai people’s religion, political, and social structures.

Check out the Materuni Waterfall located near the small village of Materuni on the outskirts of Moshi, it is the perfect spot to cool off and have a peaceful picnic. The stunning falls are surrounded by beautiful valleys, rolling hills coffee/banana plantations, and verdant rainforests with amazing views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Hike to the top of the fall through the mountainous areas where the Chagga people (local tribe) live and work on the coffee plantations.

The Chemka/Kikuletwa Hot Springs is one of the most beautiful natural springs in the country, located in the middle of an arid landscape in the village of Rundugai. The boiling, bubbling water comes from underground and when it reaches the top it is warm enough for swimming. These waters offer soothing, healing powers and the site offers spectacular views of two of Africa’s tallest mountains as well as beautiful surrounding scenery with baobab trees and natural caverns.

Take a tour of the coffee and banana plantations in Moshi, which is known as “coffee town”. Most of the plantations in the area are nestled at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in villages such as Materuni. This is a great place to go and discover how the beverage is grown and processed with a tour led by one of the farmers. Visitors will learn the entire coffee planting process; the planting, the best season, how it is roasted, and how the farmers find markets for their products. The Coffee Union is the most popular coffee shop located in Moshi’s city center, they have been in business since the 1930s.

Visit Tarangire National Park for a safari adventure where visitors can see a number of mammals of the Serengeti such as lions, giraffes, gazelle, impala, leopards, cheetahs, wildebeest, zebras, and the largest number of Elephants in the world. Many of the animals congregate around a large waterhole near the park entrance, the best months to visit are June through October.

Lake Chala is a crater lake located at the edge of Mount Kilimanjaro along the border between Kenya and Tanzania. The lake formed over 3 million years ago as a result of a major volcanic eruption, it is surrounded by a crater rim that is 328 feet high with a depth of around 2 miles. Lake Chala is the deepest inland body of water in Africa, it changes color depending on the month of the year and ranges from a beautiful deep blue to crystal clear. The lake offers a tranquil environment and an opportunity to get closer to nature with activities such as birding, kayaking, canoeing, and nature walks.

The Old Town Railway Station in Moshi was built during the German colonial rule. The station is no longer in use and appears abandoned, there are old wagons no longer in use or sit somewhere and marvel at Mount Kilimanjaro. The old booking office has been turned into a bar where visitors can enjoy a cold bottle of Kilimanjaro beer after exploring the old station.

Mount Meru is another great hiking destination, it is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania reaching 14,980, and one of the highest in the country. Hiking Mount Meru is suitable for most hikers and is a superb experience with spectacular scenic views and exposure to wildlife in Arusha National Park. The Pare mountains are located in a quiet village south of Moshi, they remain relatively unexplored as many hikers prefer the challenge of Kilimanjaro and Meru. The Pare mountains are amazing for hikers and nature lovers with beautiful verdant forests to explore and excellent hiking trails that will impress.

Shopping

There are some fantastic markets to explore when visiting Moshi, they offer a wide variety of locally handmade products that make perfect souvenirs to take home. There are vibrant fabrics, wooden carvings, coffee, and authentic African items. These markets are amazing and exciting to explore with hundreds of different vendors nestled down narrow streets and alleyways selling everything from fresh produce to household goods, clothes, and souvenirs.

Mbuyuni Market is situated in the heart of Moshi where shoppers can see true local life and purchase a number of items. This is a great place to start looking for an authentic African market experience, you can literally buy everything! Choose from fresh produce, meat, fish, shoes, clothes, bags, jewelry, electronics and colorful kitenage. The Soweto Memorial Market is an excellent place to shop for things for your home, it is the place to pick up the freshest vegetables such as avocados, passion fruit, mangoes, and papaya. There are other household items for sale such as local fabrics.

Downtown Moshi is another good location for purchasing souvenirs, there is a community of artists found on Dar Road who create unique authentic wooden carvings and paintings that they sell. There are a lot of fabric shops found along the main street here as well as tourist shops selling carvings and paintings.

Dining

Moshi may be a small town, but you will have no shortage of great food to eat! There are countless Italian, Indian, Asian, African, and Tanzanian restaurants to choose from in the city. There are some great street food stalls to choose from as well as markets that sell fresh delicious food. Many of the restaurants tailored to tourists are located in Shantytown, which is an upper-class neighborhood in Moshi. There are some top high-end restaurants in Moshi serving up delicious international cuisines, many of which can be found at hotels. The food is tasty and there are many restaurants that cater to tourists with burgers, pizzas, chips, and more.

The local diet in Moshi is healthy due to an abundance of fresh locally grown vegetables and fruits that are produced in the region year-round. The Tanzanian diet is based heavily on meats with a lot of goat and chicken normally served with ugali (similar to polenta) or rice. Here are some local Swahili dishes to try; Chapatti’s are a typical breakfast item, kiti moto (fried pork), Nyama Choma (Goat meat), Kuku (chicken) and grilled banana, Chipsi mayai (chips and eggs), Ugali (maize porridge) served with meat, Pilau is a local rice dish, roast corn, and rice and beans are just a few local staples.

Nightlife

There are a few great options for a night out on the town in Moshi with a great mixture of bars, pubs, and nightclubs to explore. The weekends are the busiest time when the town comes alive with partying adults who want to hang out and drink. There are places with live music and DJs playing the latest local and international hits. There are pool halls or bars with pool tables and local Tanzanian beers on tap. Some local beers include Kilimanjaro, Safari, and Tusker with Konyagi being the most common liquor. There are some lovely outdoor pubs with nice views and a few rooftop bars with spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to Moshi’s location at the foothills of the massive mountain, there are some incredible views of the Roof of Africa, especially during a magical sunset.