Moshi is a Tanzanian town with a population of 144,739 (2002 census). The town is situated on the lower slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, a volcanic mountain which is the highest mountain in Africa.
Moshi is home to the Chagga and Maasai tribes. The city comprises two major roads, based around the central reference point of clock tower, the north-south road to Tanga and Dar es Salaam and an east-west road to Arusha.
Moshi is often overlooked as a tourist destination, with many visitors to Northern Tanzania instead choosing to stay in nearby Arusha. However the town is now host to the Kilimanjaro Marathon which is rapidly growing in popularity and there are several cultural tourism programs operating on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro. Moshi also serves as the base for many expeditions up nearby Mt. Kilimanjaro, with many climbers staying in nearby hotels and employing locals as guides, porters and cooks.
Moshi is home to three main cultural groups, the Chagga, the Maasai and Pare. However most Maasai are employed as watchmen or are selling traditional medicines, their real homes are further north. The Pare are from the Pare Mountains from about 50 km on the way to Dar.
PLACE TO VISIT
There isn't very much to see in Moshi, the market can be fun to visit, even if you're not interested in buying something.
There are many religious temples, most notably the mosque near the center of town.
Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery located opposite the magistrates court.
Visit the former German administration office located between Kilimanjaro Co-operative Bank and BP petrol station on Mawenzi Road/Nyerere Road. You can still see the metal pillar which was used for hanging the unfortunate.
There are several smaller communities outside of the main town of Moshi that are worth taking a look around.
Following Kibo Road north out of Moshi you will come to the YMCA and will be in Shantytown which is an area of relative wealth. Several restaurants are located out here as well as a few hostels and hotels.
Following Station Road out of Moshi to the east you will be in Majengo, a significantly worse off area than main Moshi.
Following Boma Road out of town to the west you will be in Soweto which has many more expensive homes, and is also home base for a large European volunteer organization. There is the FalconCrest Hotel and Pub, as well as the Scorpion Pub for a night out. There is a good market near the Scorpion Pub.
WHAT TO DO
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is the obvious reason for being in Moshi. Safari is also essential, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park and Arusha National Park are within a fairly easy distance. Tours can be arranged through several companies, and it is advisable to use common sense when finding a company. Your best bet is to ask other tourists who they used. Do not deal with a random person on the street, look for a real office! There is Eco Tours located near the Clock Tower on the main road. Eco Tours has now moved to Majengo on the main road to Dar. There is also Scenery Safaris on the same road located at the Aventure Restaurant. Also there is the Porters Association located near the Kindoroko Hotel on the double road at Chagga St. Ask your accommodation for a referral to a safari company. You can also book ahead of time but you will be spending a lot more. Foot2Afrika and Maasai Moja have websites to check out.
Cultural trips to Maasai villages are very worthwhile and informative, but be aware most of the villages are not authentic.
Day trips to Marangu Waterfalls are often fun, you can stand underneath the waterfall, even jump off one and go swimming. Day trips to Lake Nyumba ya Mungu can also be interesting, lots of local fishing culture, aloe vera plantations and sugar cane plantations. There is also a snake park and camel riding centre in nearby town Arusha. These can be arranged individually by taking a bus or organizing with a safari company.
Walking tours across the rice paddys make for a nice day and you can also visit the local forest to see some monkeys! These are usually arranged through a safari company but are significantly less expensive as you are only paying for a single guide.
Remember that when you pay for safari most goes to cover park fees, lodging, food and gas. The guide gets little money, especially when working for a large organization; most of their income is from tips. Also, if you are traveling with a cook it is a good rule of thumb to tip them as well or to incorporate their wages into the overall tip. For example, on a 3 day safari an estimated tip would be $50 for each, though if you're traveling with more people this amount is to be divided amongst everyone and if traveling for an extended period of time it would be recommended to tip more. A well paid guide is a happy guide, who will try their hardest and give you the best experience.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Kilimanjaro National Airport (IATA: JRO) is approx 30 mins from Moshi and Taxis and Buses are available from each. An approximate cost would be 60,000 TSH, though this all depends on your bartering skills! Flights come from various non-domestic destinations, and this is how most tourists arrive.
Flying into Nairobi, Kenya (NBO) is significantly less expensive than Kilimanjaro, however you will need a Kenyan transit visa and it is an 8 hour bus ride to Moshi.
By bus - Buses arrive in Moshi from all of the main cities in Tanzania, and this is the cheapest way to travel. Dar Express and Kilimanjaro bus lines run from Dar es Salaam to Moshi (and beyond/vice versa) at a cost of 20,000 TSH one way and takes around 8 hours. Hood and Abood go to Morogoro for TSh13,000/=. Buses also go to Arusha, Mwanza, Tanga, Mbeya, Dodoma and Nairobi. All prices are worth bartering for - be aware that the locals will get massively lower prices! The bus station is extremely chaotic, however this can be used to your advantage as it means many drivers are vying for your fare. Scandinavian bus lines has a website with detailed information regarding routes and prices. Prices as of August 2008.
