The Moshi township is a beautiful side attraction for anyone who’s on an adventure to the Kilimanjaro Mountain.
Even more than just a side attraction for your Kilimanjaro adventure, a day or two in Moshi is going to give you a diverse taste of life in East Africa. But what are some of the things you can do in Moshi?
There are a host of things you can do in Moshi. Here are the most common and fun activities you can do while you’re in Moshi.
- Sample Some of The Best Tanzanian Delicacies at Moshi’s
- Experience The Unique Coffee Life In Moshi
- Visit The Materuni Waterfalls
- Volunteer In The Moshi Community
- Visit A Real African Market
- Experience The Nightlife In Moshi
- Visit The Peaceful Chala Lake
- Visit The Kikuletwa Hotsprings
- Learn About The Maasai Culture
- Interact With Rescued Monkeys
For the remaining part of this article, I’m going to share a lot more details on all the activities highlighted above. Keep reading to find out more. But First, here’s a basic summary of what Moshi is all about.
What Do You Know About Moshi?
If you did not know, Moshi which literally means “smoke” and it’s the capital region of Kilimanjaro in the North-Eastern part of Tanzania. It’s a town located in the foothills of Mountain Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
And while the famous Mountain Kilimanjaro is the most popular and the biggest attraction in and around Moshi, it remains a very vibrant spot and a super chill jump-off point for your adventure up or down from the Kilimanjaro Mountain.
Usually, when most people think of a trip to Tanzania, it’s all about the Kilimanjaro mountain climbing or a real African game viewing at the Serengeti National Park, but spending a couple of days in the Moshi township is definitely going to offer you a unique experience of the daily life in Tanzania.
Now let’s head over to the amazing things you can do in the beautiful foothills of Kilimajaro – Moshi.
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1. Sample Some of The Best Tanzanian Delicacies at Moshi’s
There are a host of delicious Tanzanian meals you would want to try at Moshi. While Tanzanians love meat, you will be able to find some vegan meals available as well.
Some of the mouth-watering Tanzanian dishes you wouldn’t want to miss out on are:
- Ugali
- Pilau
- Chapatti
- Ndizi na Nyama
- Supu ya Ndizi
- Wali na Maharage
- Nyama Choma
You definitely do not want to miss out on any of these delicious meals. Some of the most popular places to get the best of any of the above-mentioned meals in Moshi in no particular order are:
- The Green Bamboo Restaurant
- East Africa Pub
- Kili Home
- Pamoja Cafe
- Menu’s Bistro
- Secret Garden Hotel
- Kaka’s Bar and Grill
- Maembe Cafe
There are so many other places to try out some of the Tanzanian delicacies. Walk right through and try out something, hopefully, something African!
My personal favorite is to go to East Africa Pub for some delicious goat barbecue or go to Kaka’s bar and grill for some traditional Tanzanian dishes.
For beer, the almighty Kilimanjaro, a locally brewed beer will be perfect to quench your thirst after a long day of town exploration.
If you’re away from home and will still want a taste something homely from where you’re from, Moshi in addition to the diverse local cuisines also offers a wide variety of international dishes as well such as Indian, Italian, Korean, among other Asian and European meals.
2. Experience The Unique Coffee Life In Moshi
The Moshi township lies among a bunch of little coffee plantations that cascade over the foothills of the Kilimanjaro mountain.
If you like your coffee, then you might really fancy this on your to-do list in Moshi. Moshi is a coffee town where you can get some of the best mildly brewed local coffee.
All you do is to catch a daladala (local bus) and head 15 km north of Moshi around the foothills of Kilimanjaro where the village of Materuni lies.
While there, you will be able to go on a guided tour of the many coffee plantations in the area.
Your guide will explain the art of coffee preparation from picking coffee beans to roasting, and then finally to drinking a nice hot cup.
If you want, you will be given a chance to prepare your own to drink or take with you as a souvenir.
On top of all the coffee talk, preparation, and coffee tasting, is a spectacular view of Moshi and the whole of the Kilimanjaro region.
3. Visit The Materuni Waterfalls
While you’re at Materuni, which is only a stone’s throw from Moshi, you would also want to check out the Materuni Waterfalls. You can as well visit the waterfalls before heading over to the coffee plantation in Materuni.
The Waterfalls over at Materuni is surrounded by some amazing valley views. You will only have to hike a couple of minutes till you get to falls.
While on your way, you will have the pleasure of experiencing the local life of the famous Chagga people.
At the Materuni waterfalls, you will be able to enjoy the fresh mountain water with your friends or family.
4. Volunteer In The Moshi Community
If you’re looking for an amazing yet impactful way of doing your good-of-the-day even while traveling to Tanzania, then you will be able to volunteer in the Moshi community doing activities that match your skills.
There are so many Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Moshi and these organizations present a great opportunity to give back to the community of Moshi while you’re there even if it’s only for a couple of days.
These organizations usually have volunteering programs you can easily sign up for. Volunteering activities will usually include teaching kids or women, manual work, women’s projects, medical services, etc.
All you need to do is to ensure whatever activity you sign up for matches your skills and more importantly does not stress you out too much.
5. Visit A Real African Market
The local market in Moshi is such a nice place to simply walk around even if you don’t intend to buy anything.
You can leisurely stroll through and sample the beautiful smells, colors, sounds, and the real sense of an African market place.
The biggest market in Moshi with some of the best local produce is the Mbuyuni Market. Tuesdays and Fridays are the market days and the best time to visit.
How you get to the market is pretty simple. Join the often congested bus (“daladala”) to the town center and get off at the bus station.
Now you can ask anyone to point you in the direction of the Nyerere Road. This road will be populated by street vendors and tailors and that’s how you will know you’re on the right path. You would walk past them all to the Mbuyuni Market.
Depending on the time of the year, you will find some of the continents best of the best organic fruits such as delicious mangoes, pawpaw, sweet pineapples, passion fruits, etc.
But gear up! Because it’s going to be real busy.
You can just walk around to see the range of vegetables, fruits, meat, etc that are available in Tanzania and you’re definitely going to learn or experience something new.
Walking through as the market folks go about their business dealing with and striking conversations with their customers is such a beautiful scene to behold.
Generally, in most local markets around Tanzania, you will be able to bargain the price for every item you would like to buy.
Even if you’re not accustomed to this kind of trade banter, simply have fun with it. It’s such a great way to interact with the local folks and you’re going to surprised how these local market folks will enjoy such interactions over prices.
6. Experience The Nightlife In Moshi
The Moshi nightlife is like a huge party every night. There are always a lot of people out having a good time so you won’t be out alone looking for some fun.
There are different greats spots to chill out and relax while talking to your friends, family, or new acquaintances.
One of the most common activities you’re going to thoroughly enjoy in Moshi at night especially if you’re somewhat competitive is a nice game of pool.
You can also hang out at Moshi’s nightclub called the “Black Diamon”d along the Kibo road. You particularly do not want to miss out on their Fun-packed Friday where visitors are treated to some good live band music. You definitely want to get your dance shoes ready.
Tanzanians are very welcoming people so don’t be entirely surprised when you’re invited to the dance floor by a total stranger.
There are other places that are open at night to help usher you into the nightlife in Moshi. There are pubs and grill joints, new night clubs offering special entries for visitors, live DJ mash-ups for you to enjoy, and a host of other fun activities.
7. Visit The Peaceful Chala Lake
The Lake Chala or Lake Challa is a great place to handout a chill for a couple of days. The Challa lake is actually about 55 kilometers east of Moshi which is about an hour and a half journey from Moshi.
This beautiful lake is also east of Mountain Kilimanjaro. What’s special about the Lake Challa is that it’s a crater lake that staddles the border between Kenya and Tanzania.
The lake is believed to have formed thousands if not millions of years ago as a result of a volcanic eruption that took place.
The result, a beautiful blue lake that’s surrounded by a steep crater rim with a maximum height of around 170 meters and of a green forest full of trees, birdlife, and monkeys in what I will call a serene ecosystem.
The Challa Lake is such a great place to visit if you want to step away from the hustle and bustle of the Moshi city life to a place very rich in nature and exceptionally tranquil – then this is the place to go.
8. Relax, Deep Dive, A Get Free Fish Pedicure In The Kikuletwa Hotsprings
If you might fancy the warm hot springs as against the cool waters of the Chala Lake, then the Kikuletwa hot springs are a fantastic spot to visit. This is probably one of the best places and the best things you would ever do around Moshi.
This hot springs spot is also about an hour and a half from Moshi. Your journey to the Kikuletwa Hotsprings in itself is going to be filled with beautiful countryside views of forest lands, river beds, acacia trees among many many other different kinds of trees.
The Kikuletwa Hotsprings is a beautiful oasis cascaded and perfectly hidden by fig trees. This little paradise is a fantastic relaxation spot if you want to escape the chaos of Moshi township.
The water is crystal clear turquoise blue and has a perfect temperature suitable to give you the best of the best relaxations ever. So go on ahead and submerge yourself into one of nature’s most beautiful hot springs.
You will particularly love and enjoy the sensational free foot pedicure from harmless tiny fishes in this spring waters.
These fishes are called the Garra Rufa Fish and are most commonly used by pedicures around the world.
These fishes are very intelligent as they can, as it were, nibble your skin, in the most tender manner removing all sorts of dead skin cells in what I will say is a natural exfoliation process. So don’t let it freak you out. Just simply close your eyes and take it all in.
It’s worth mentioning that the middle section of the Kikuletwa hot springs is very deep and a great spot to do your deep-diving if you would fancy a view beneath the turquoise blue waters.
It also has a bit of a strong current to it and will be perfect in your would want to put in a swimming workout session.
9. Learn About The Maasai Culture
The Maasai Tribe is one of the most popular tribes in the whole of Africa and you’re going to be astonished as you learn about the diversity of the Maasai culture.
I don’t want to give anything away so let me give you only a few pointers. First, let’s talk about the Maasai people.
You might have seen them before. If not they are among the first people you will see when you arrive in Tanzania – especially if you arrive in Tanzania through Kilimanjaro.
They are characterized by a distinctive bright color (usually red with blue or black strips) robes called “Shuka”. Sometimes you will see them with their symbolic spears or “wandering” (walking) sticks.
The Maasai tribe has some interesting cultures and both their history and their current way of life will fascinate you. There’s so much to learn from this simple yet intricate tribe and Moshi is a great place to find out a lot about them.
There are a lot of things you will read on the internet about the culture of the Maasai but there’s nothing like getting a first-hand experience from the people themselves.
The two most popular Maasai villages are the Laizer and Leronjo both of which are approved by the government of Tanzania and Tanzania Cultural Tourism to receive foreigners.
Most of these Maasai villages are very familiar with the needs and the best practices of visitors.
There are usually a couple of major sources of worry when people travel to big cities around Africa like the internet, mobile coverage, medical emergency response – let alone a visit to a village.
This will not be the case when you visit Maasai villages around Moshi. You will have full cellular coverage, prompt emergency medical care, and what’s more, the Kilimanjaro international airport is also very close and can be reached within 10-15 minutes in any situation where you will have to make a quick exit.
All these make Moshi a great place to spend a couple of days learning about the Maasai culture.
10. Interact With Rescued Monkeys
If you’re a big animal lover, then a trip to the Kilimanjaro Animal Crew will be a worthwhile adventure for you.
The Kilimanjaro Animal CREW which is part of the Makoa Farms. You will be able to find this place along the slopes of the Mountain Kilimanjaro.
The most exciting thing when visiting the farms is you get an exclusive opportunity to walk with rescued monkeys. The monkeys will ride your shoulder as you take a leisurely hike around the Makoa farm.
This beautiful sanctuary is a safe haven for other animals who have been injured, orphaned, and rescued animals such as bush pigs, serval cat, duiker, marabou stork, and a host of others. The best thing about this place is you will learn a lot about animal conservation.
Conclusion
This article set out on an interesting venture to find some of the most interesting things you can do in and around Moshi.
Although attempting all these activities will be such a thrill, you, however, will want to select a combination of the activities that suit your travel period, budget, and your personal interests.