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We have lived 3 months in Moshi in 2019 and want to share the knowledge we have got from this stay. If you didn’t read this before arrival you have most likely been exposed to overpriced postcards made of bananaleaves. In souvernirshops they cost 5000 shilling, but can be bought for less.
In this article you will find out how to get there and around, some basic health information, where and what to eat, daytrips and safari options, trekking and climbing opportunities, volunteering options and charities to visit, what to do in town, what to buy and where to find it, phone numbers and review of drivers and tour operators and information about playgrounds for those travelling with kids.
Getting there:
By air: Kilimanjaro International airport is about 1 hour from Moshi and also functions as the international airport of Arusha. KLM, Qatar, Kenya Air and Ethiopian fly here with good connections to Europe. Daily domnestic flights for different locations including Zanzibar. Direct flights to neighbouring countries, but for other African countries connections are limited. Taxi price is 50USD if you don’t arrange in advance.
By bus: Daily buses to Nairobi and Mombasa and most Tanzanian mayor cities. Prices between 5.000 and 50.000 p.p depending on distance and standard.
Health:
Hospitals: KCMC is known to be the best hospital in town.
Water from tap should not be consumed in Tanzania, but Moshiwater is not very bad. Even rich local people dring from the tap. But as a tourist it should be avoided.
Malaria may occur below 3000 meters, but not common in Moshi compared to other parts of the country.
Safety: Driving after dark is not recomended. Be careful when walking around after dark. Zebra crossings are generally safe to use, cars do stop.
Eating
More info coming soon
Kikuletwa hot springs
If you have only one day to spare this is the place to go. A fantastic oasis with crystal clear water in the shade of enormous fig-trees. Velvet monkeys in the trees. Bring swimwear and a camera. Entrance 10.000 Tsh p.p. Food and drinks available. 1-1.5 hrs drive from Moshi towards Arusha. Private car costs about 80.000-100.000 Tsh for a full day. Can be combined with visit to Masaaivillage or sugar plantation. Bumpy roads and 4×4 might be an good option, but also possible with normal car. Read and see pictures from our trip here
Materuni waterfalls
Fantastic waterfall close to Moshi. Price in private car about 80.000-100.000 Tsh for a full day. Can be combined with Chagga village or Coffe experience. This is a beautiful trip where you walk through farms and forest before reaching the incredible waterfall. 45 minutes walk on relatively flat tracks.
Marangu waterfalls – Kilasiya
Another fantastic waterfall. Experience the power of this waterfall together with a fantastic taste of rainforest. You have to cross the river to get the best view. 20-100 cm deep depending on season. 20 minutes walk down steep stairs from the parking. 1-1,5 hour drive form Moshi. Price in private car about 80.000-100.000 Tsh for a full day. Can be combined with Chagga caves and Coffe experience. Good roads most of the way. Read and see pictures form our trip here
Chagga Caves
Learn about the chagga culture and get a guided tour in traditional chagga houses and caves used to hide from Masaai-warriors when in war. Close to Marangu waterfalls and you can have a coffe experience at the same location. Price 6 USD p.p. Price in private car about 80.000-100.000 Tsh for a full day. Good roads most of the way. Read about our experience here.
Coffe experiences
Learn about growing, harvesting and the history of coffe in the Kilimanjaro region. You will see the trees, can taste and pick the berries, and take part in the whole prosess from berry to the finished cup of coffee. Avilable at different locations. Price aproximatly 6 USD per person depending on site. Read and see pictures from our trip here.
Sugar plantation
Learn about growing and harvesting of sugarcane. Taste the cane and drink the juice directly from the fields. Close to Moshi and can be combined with a trip to Kikuletwa hot springs. Price aproximatly 6 USD p.p.
Masaaivillage
Different options available depending on guide or company. Can be a full day experience or can be combined with Kikuletwa hot springs. Entry fee aproximatly 10.000 p.p plus tip to the guide. Price in private car about 80.000-100.000 for a full day. Bumpy roads on parts of the trip.
Lake Chala
A crater lake on the border to Kenya. Beautifull water and a nice hike through the forrest. Entry fee 10.000 Tsh p.p. Bumpy roads on the last part. Private car costs about 100.000-120.000 for a full day. 1-2 hours drive.
Safari (more to come soon)
Arusha National Park
The closest park to Moshi, but it doesen’t have lions.
Ngorongoro National Park
If you have one day only this is your place. Here all the animals are trapped in a big crater and you are almost guaranteed to see lions, elephants, hippos, buffaloes, zebras etc. all year round.
Lake Manyara National Park
Nice nature and many animals, but due to vegetation many animals are hidden and not so easy to spot. Good place for birdspotting. Read about our trip here
Tarangire National Park
The closest park to Moshi and Arusha offering everything you want from a safari.
Serengeti National Park
This is the place to be, but it is further away and more expensive. If you go here you can skip the other parks. We suggest flying there early in the morning spending one or two nights, before flying back. Might even be cheeper than driving there since you will pay for the driver and car for 2 extra days and fees for other national parks on the way. Read about our trip here
Mountains (more to come soon)
Mount Kilimanjaro
Read about my trip here
Mount Meru
Located close to Arusha this is a good place to practise before climbing Kilimanjaro or if you don’t want to spend so much time or climb so high.
Usambara Mountains
Located between Moshi and Tanga (beaches) this place as beautiful mountains to trek in and Lushoto is a good place to travel to.
Moshi town
There are no must sees in town, but still it has a lot to offer. The markets is maybe the most interesting if you come from outside of Africa. You can see everything you would think is waste beeing turned into something new or buy fruits, vegetables or animals (dead or alive). Beside food the most useful for tourist are most likely handmade shoes of leather (or car tires if you want long lasting, but not so good looking). Bags made of packing straps are also nice. Shoes should cost from 2000 to 10.000 shilling depending on quality. Fruit and vegetables are laid in piles costing 500 or 1000 shillings per pile. A few fruits like pineaple, papaya, watermelon and jackfruit cost more than 1000 per piece due their size. Bananas cost 100-200 shillings each depending on size.
Central Market
Mbuyoni Market
Majengu Market
Souvernirs
Coffee, shoes, things made in fabric, wood or leather, gemstones or paintings can be found in different qulities and prices and you don’t always get what you pay for. The cheepest things might be better than the expencive ones.
Coffee can be bought at supermarkets or on different locations. Prices should be around 20.000 shillings per kilo, a bit more if you buy small packets.
Sandals made of leather and/or beads can be bought on the street by the person making them for 10.000 shillings.
Fabric can be bought at markets or various shops in differnt qualities. Kitenge and batik is most unique and prices per piece (1 x 5 meter) starts at 10.000. If you want something to be made for you most places selling fabric would also offer to make whatever you want for a good price. We recommend Lida located between Coffee shop and Gladys Adventure or if you want a charity (deaf people making clothes) to get your money a good place with nice prices is located in the cross between Swahili Street and Wiwanda Street (not very far from Indoitaliano restaurant).
Leatherworks made from disabeled people at Shah Industires can be found in the factory outlet where you can also get a tour in the factory
Playgrounds
La Fuente Garden – nice playground with swings, slide, houses, fireman pole etc. Free for costumers. Excellent Mexican food.
Luterenian Uhuru Hostel – trampolines, zipline (for kids over 10), swings, slide etc. Price 4000 Tsh per kid.
Uhuru Park – Playground inside the park. Swings, slides, carousel etc. Entrance to park is 1000 Tsh per foreign adult
Give a heart to Africa – behind this charity there is a playground in a nursery. Free during weekends and holidays
Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel – Fantastic shaded playground for small kids. Bicycles, slides, castle, ladders. Free for costumers. Expensive food.
Mr. Price Village – entrance fee of 10.000 tsh per kid.
Charities and volunteering
More info coming soon
Drivers and guides
Eduardo (driver)
+255 784 319 808, regular car with 5 seats, okay English, 4-5000 per ride in town. aproximatly 1000 tsh per km on long trips, can be used for serveral days on longer journeys without spending too much. (We have used only in town)
Edmund (driver and guide)
+255 765 253 212, cars with up to 8 seats. very good in English, used to live in America. 5000 per ride in town. from 100.000 per day as a driver and guide for daytrips. Very helpfull in every way and also have his own bed and breakfast where you can also eat for lunch or dinner. (we have used him both on short taxirides, airport pickup and daytrips)
John (driver, safariguide, tour operator)
+255 787 919 129, 3 safaricars and connection with other drivers. Very good in English. Firendly and very helpful. Includes pickups from airport if asked for. Helps people around him by paying schoolfees etc. Also planning to make an orphanage, he has bought land and built a fence. Worked his way up from beeing a porter on Kilimanjaro
