Situated approximately 800 meters above sea-level, Moshi is the most popular basecamp for treks to summit the “Ceiling of Africa”: Mount Kilimanjaro. As a Mount Kilimanjaro trek is a big investment, it’s a good idea to arrive in Moshi a few days prior to when your trek is scheduled to commence in order to acclimatize to the environment (food, climate, altitude), as well as to have a few day buffer in case of airline delay or lost luggage. After an amazing 3 week trip to Zanzibar, I headed over to Moshi to commence my bucket-list item of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.
Kilimanjaro airport (JRO) is approximately 40KM away from Moshi. The municipality of Moshi has a population of roughly 200,000 people. While considered one of the more urban centres of Tanzania (along with cities like Arusha and Dar es Salaam); the city will still appear semi-rural to most tourists from developed countries. Outside of the downtown core, you’ll still see unpaved dirt roads, and makeshift shacks where people live and work. Tanzania is rapidly developing, but it is still a United Nations designated Least-Developed Country (LDC).
Content:
- Where to stay in Moshi
- SIM Card in Tanzania
- Moshi Guided City Tour
- Chemka Hotsprings
- Materuni Waterfalls
- Visit a Masaai Village
- Cycling Trip around Chagga villages near Mount Kilimanjaro
- Moshi Sunset Tour
- Final thoughts on things to do in Moshi, Tanzania
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Where to stay in Moshi:
There are many rather luxurious accommodations options on Moshi city outskirts. These hotels are often used by tour companies as the pre- and post-trek accommodations for Kilimanjaro treks. I had a stay at the beautiful Springlands Hotel included with my Kilimanjaro trek with Zara Tours. While these hotels are often full service, luxurious compounds, it is typically not possible to walk into town from these locations in case you need to buy anything or get pre-trek supplies. Transport into town from these hotels can also be quite costly. So if you want the convenience of being able to explore the city and buy supplies and food at will, I would recommend staying in the downtown core of Moshi.
Staying near the downtown core will allow you to walk to restaurants, bars and shops more easily. The Kibo Palace Hotel is a more upscale option with private rooms and bathrooms centrally located in Moshi downtown core. Moshi Leopard Hotel is a solid mid-range option with private rooms and bathrooms – also centrally located downtown. Climbers Home and We Travel Hostel are both well-reviewed budget options in central Moshi
Photo Credit: Kibo Palace Hotel
I would recommend buying an eSIM prior to arriving Tanzania, so that you can avoid being ripped off at the airport, and be able to quickly connect with any transport you have organized, double-check any pricing you have been given, or just call for help if required. Airlo has regional (Tanzania-only) and Global (130 Country – including Tanzania) plans that you can buy ahead of time and activate when you arrive in Tanzania. The Tanzania only plans are a great deal at only $11USD for 30 days.
Moshi Guided City Tour:
Outside of being a gateway for treks to Mount Kilimanjaro, Moshi by itself is not a tourist centre. There is not a lot of tourist infrastructure that allows for easy independent exploration of the city. A guided tour of Moshi city will take you into the city markets, and areas that most tourists would normally not visit, as well as provide commentary about the city and its people. This well-reviewed guided tour will take you around major points of interest in Moshi as well as provide insightful commentary about the city.
Chemka Hotsprings:
Stunning Chemka hotsprings are about a one hour drive away from Moshi. The warm waters here are crystal-clear and deep enough to swim and snorkel in. The jungle setting around the crystalline waters makes it a wonderful location for a relaxing day trip. While the springs can be reached independently; taking a tour might be a more convenient and cost-effective option for most travellers to visit the hot springs without having to arrange a car rental, or hire a driver – which could cost as much as just booking a tour. This is a well-reviewed tour that includes pick-up and drop-off from hotels in Moshi.
Photo Credit: Daniel Msirikale
Materuni Waterfalls:
The Materuni Waterfalls are 15KM away from Moshi. It is advisable given the remoteness of the waterfalls to visit on a guided tour. This well-reviewed tour includes round-trip transportation from Moshi, as well as a coffee and banana wine and beer tasting. There are also tours that include a visit to the Chemka Hotprings in a single day as well.
The hike to the waterfalls is about 8KM out-and-back. You’ll have the opportunity to swim at the pool in the bottom of the falls – so make sure to bring swim wear and a towel.
Visit a Masaai Village:
The Masaai are a nomadic pastoral people who inhabit Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Their red robes and slender, tall figures accentuated by practices such as their iconic jumping dance are one of the symbols of the continent of Africa. Masaai people live in the region around Moshi, and it is possible to take a day trip to visit one of the villages. This well-reviewed tour includes pickup and drop-off in Moshi, a guided village to a local Masaai village, lunch and a visit to the Kikuletwa hot springs.
Cycling Trip around Chagga villages near Mount Kilimanjaro:
The Chaggu are the ethnic Bantu people who migrated from other regions of Africa to the fertile foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro around the start of the eleventh century. While there is evidence of linguistic and cultural practices similar to those in other distinct regions of Africa, the Chagga culture has evolved into its own distinct culture. Some Chagga languages today are said to be markedly different from what they sounded like even 20 years ago. This well-reviewed guided cycling trip, will take you in and around various Chagga villages in the Mount Kilimanjaro foothills.
Moshi Sunset Tour:
This well-reviewed sunset tour picks up in central Moshi and takes you to a viewpoint where you can watch the sunset over Mount Kilimanjaro. The excursion includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and includes singing and dancing. A tour like this is also a great way to get to know fellow travellers in Moshi.
Final Thoughts on Best Things to do in Moshi, Tanzania:
It is a good idea to plan a few days in Moshi before a Kilimanjaro Trek – both to buffer against travel delays/lost luggage as well as to properly acclimatize to the local environment before undertaking the trek. While Moshi itself is not a typical tourist destination, but there are many wonderful activities – from hot springs and waterfalls to cultural destinations – to visit and explore just outside of the city.
