Moshi

Unlike its bustling neighbouring city of Arusha, Moshi is a laid-back town with a population of approximately 140,000. It has remained mostly unaffected by the 50,000 or so tourists who pass through the town annually, and has managed to keep its charm. Moshi is in one of Tanzania’s major coffee growing regions, and throughout the town and along the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro are vast coffee estates and banana plantations that have allowed Moshi to enjoy some affluence. Compared to Arusha, Moshi is considered friendlier and safer town and can be pleasantly explored on foot during the day. It is still inadvisable to walk anywhere after dark.

Although Kilimanjaro is the main attraction in Moshi, there are a variety of activities offered in the area, such as a day hikes through the lowland forest on the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, or along the Shira Plateau at an elevation of approximately 12,450 feet (3,800 metre). You could also take a dip in Kikuletwa Hot Springs, a beautiful oasis hidden among twisting fig trees. One can also visit the abandoned Old Railway Station built under German colonial rule in 1911 and visualize a bygone era. There are also opportunities to explore the many local markets and tour the coffee estates to learn the process of coffee farming and roasting.