Morogoro is a city with an urban population of 206,868 (2002 census) in the southern highlands of Tanzania, 190 km west of Dar es Salaam. It is the capital of the Morogoro Region.
Morogoro lies at the base of the Uluguru Mountains, and is a centre of agriculture in the region, with the Sokoine University of Agriculture based in the city. A number of missions are also based in the town, providing schools and hospitals. The town is the administrative headquarters of the Morogoro region.
Morogoro is the administrative capital of Morogoro Region. It is located two and a half hours from Dar es Salaam on an excellent tarmac road. There are many old German buildings in the city, which dates back to the colonial period. The city is located at the base of the Ulughuru Mountains, which make it an ideal base for hikers and campers.
PLACE TO VISIT
The main market is colorful and interesting, definitely worth a visit if you haven't seen it. See the entry in the "Buy" section (below).
There is great hiking in the hills to the south of the town, with picturesque surroundings and nice views of the town. HIKING CAN BE DANGEROUS without a guide; robberies/muggings are not unheard of. Guides are available through Chilungwa Cultural Program . Their offices are behind the Gas station next to the post office, across from the regional hospital. Cost is around USD$20 per person, depending on size of the group, destination, etc.
WHAT TO DO
Haircuts - Ask around; many ex-pats get their hair cut by folks for whom it's an informal business. If you want african hairstyles (braiding) there are lots of places in town. Be advised, it takes a long time and is hard on thin hair.
A Cut Above, (Up Boma Road, past the mosque, on the left), Ms. Rahma has a following for mens haircuts.
Gym - There is a gym on the second floor of the Simba Oil petrol station, on the road from the daladala stand to Msamvu, on the left. Aerobics, treadmills, weights, pool table.
Swimming - Oasis Hotel has a swimming pool for TSh3,000/= per day.
Morogoro International School (found near the main bus stand and Mambo Club) has a full-sized pool. The cost for non-members is TSh4,000/= per day. The tennis courts and children's play areas are also available for use to paying customers at the weekends.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - There is a grass airstrip in the Kihonda area, but there is no scheduled flight service to Morogoro.
By train - The train station is close to the town center, with service to/from points west. For travel to/from Dar Es Salaam, bus service is much more convenient.
By car - The roads from Morogoro to Dar Es Salaam, Iringa, and Dodoma are paved and generally in good condition, making Morogoro easy to get to by car. Depending on how fast one drives, Dar Es Salaam is about 3 hours away.
By bus - The Morogoro bus stand is called "Msamvu" and is a 10 minute dala-dala ride from downtown. From Msamvu, you can get buses to almost anywhere in Tanzania. Multiple bus lines go to and from the Ubungo bus stand in Dar. Hood and Abood are popular lines, cost TSh 6,000 as of August 2008, and leave about every half hour. From town, to get to Msamvu, take the "Kihonda" daladala from the central daladala stand; or just tell them at the dala stand that you're going to the bus stand, they'll sort you out.
The hoteli/restaurant next to the bus stand, "Makuti", is not bad, and is a nice place to escape the hustlers, avoid the rain, have a refreshing beverage, etc.
