Stand on Mawenzi Road where it meets Nyerere Road and you can still see the metal pillar at the old German administration office, a quiet reminder that Moshi has been a crossroads for a long time. A few streets away, the market fills with noise and colour, and on clear mornings the mountain that draws most visitors here rises behind the rooftops.
Moshi suits travellers using the town as a base for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or for safaris to the national parks, as well as those who want a slower look at the town itself: its cemetery, its religious buildings, its markets and the communities that ring the centre. It also works well for volunteers, who will find several organisations based here.
This guide covers the sights and experiences the sources describe, with practical notes on how to combine them, and a one-day plan if your time is short.
Top things to do in Moshi
1. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is the obvious reason for being in Moshi. Tours can be arranged through several companies, and it is advisable to use common sense when finding one.
Ask other tourists who they used, or ask your accommodation for a referral to a safari company. Do not deal with a random person on the street; look for a real office. Booking ahead of time costs a lot more, while arranging it locally usually lets you bargain prices down within reason.
2. Safari to the national parks
Safari is also essential, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park and Arusha National Park are within a fairly easy distance.
When you pay for safari, most of it goes to cover park fees, lodging, food and gas, and the guide gets little money, especially when working for a large organisation; most of their income is from tips. On a three-day safari an estimated tip would be US$50 for each person, divided among everyone travelling if there are several of you, and more for an extended trip. If you are travelling with a cook, tip them as well or incorporate their wages into the overall tip.
3. The market
The market can be fun to visit, even if you are not interested in buying anything.
It is an easy stop to pair with a walk through the centre of town, where you can also see the mosque near the middle of Moshi.
4. The mosque near the centre of town
There are many religious institutions in Moshi, most notably the mosque near the centre of town.
Combine it with a wander through the surrounding streets and the market, which is close to the heart of town.
5. Commonwealth War Cemetery
Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery opposite the Magistrate's Court.
It is a short, quiet stop that fits naturally into a walk around the town centre.
6. Former German administration office
Visit the former German administration office 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 convicted people.
It is a small site, so pair it with the rest of your walk along Mawenzi Road and Nyerere Road rather than making a special trip.
7. The bus station
Even if you are not getting a bus, the bus station is worth visiting for its chaos.
It is highly recommended to take a daladala just to be able to say you have, and no doubt you will have an adventure.
8. Shantytown, reached by Kibo Road
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, so it works well as an evening destination.
9. Majengo, reached by Station Road
Following Station Road out of Moshi to the east you will be in Majengo, a significantly worse off area than main Moshi.
Go with a local guide if you want context for what you are seeing.
10. Soweto, reached by Boma Road
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 organisation. 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, so you can combine a look around the market with an evening at the pub.
11. Hiring a local guide
Hiring a local guide is a fantastic and inexpensive way to see the Moshi that you would not see otherwise. Guides can be hired at virtually any hotel.
This is the simplest way to reach the smaller communities outside the main town of Moshi that are worth taking a look around.
12. The Social Reality Tour
The Social Reality Tour is a three hours' walk with a social worker through deprived areas of Moshi, visiting people who are affected by HIV/AIDS. These individuals are happy that visitors are interested in them and the social worker can provide background information about the situation of HIV/AIDS in the region.
You pay US$10, which goes 100% to support the HIV patients that you visit. The tour is an important income for the NGO KIWAKKUKI, allowing them to continue their home-based care program.
13. Day trip to Marangu Waterfalls
Day trips to Marangu Waterfalls are often fun; you can stand underneath the waterfall, even jump off one and go swimming.
These can be arranged individually by taking a bus or organising with a safari company.
14. Day trip to Lake Nyumba ya Mungu
Day trips to Lake Nyumba ya Mungu can also be interesting, with lots of local fishing culture, aloe vera plantations and sugar cane plantations.
As with Marangu, you can arrange this individually by taking a bus or through a safari company.
15. Walking tours across the rice paddies
Walking tours across the rice paddies 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.
16. Swimming at the Impala Hotel
If you want a relaxing day in Moshi, head to the Impala Hotel where you can relax by the pool and also enjoy a meal pool side. The cost to hang out by the pool and to go swimming is TSh 3,000, and meals cost around TSh 5,000.
Another good place to go swimming is the YMCA located a bit north of town, which has a large, deep pool.
17. Honey Badger Lodge and Safaris
Honey Badger Lodge and Safaris is in Msaranga, 6 km out of town on the way to Dar Es Salaam, turning right at the Msaranga petrol station. It is a hotel, campsite, lodge and safari company, family run, with an excellent swimming pool, bar area and children's play area.
They can organise all your local tours and safari anything ranging from a night of local drumming and food to climbing the mountain or seeing the national parks.
18. Give a Heart To Africa
Give a Heart To Africa is an NGO in Moshi operating a vocational school for adult women. They offer the women free education in English, business and computers and help some of them start their own business.
This NGO is run solely by volunteers and is a very hands on experience. Volunteers are welcome any time of year; no prior experience is necessary.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at the market, then walk to the mosque near the centre of town. Continue to the Commonwealth War Cemetery opposite the Magistrate's Court, and on to the former German administration office between Kilimanjaro Co-operative Bank and BP petrol station on Mawenzi Road/Nyerere Road, where you can still see the metal pillar.
Afternoon: Head to the bus station for its chaos and take a daladala just to be able to say you have. If you would rather slow down, go for a swim at the YMCA north of town, or take a daladala or taxi out along Kibo Road to Shantytown.
Evening: Follow Boma Road west into Soweto, look around the good market near the Scorpion Pub, and finish with a night out at the Scorpion Pub or the FalconCrest Hotel and Pub.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a safari or Kilimanjaro company?
Ask other tourists who they used, or ask your accommodation for a referral. Do not deal with a random person on the street; look for a real office. Booking ahead of time costs a lot more, while arranging it locally usually lets you bargain prices down within reason.
Should I tip my safari guide?
Yes. The guide gets little money, especially when working for a large organisation, and most of their income is from tips. On a three-day safari an estimated tip would be US$50 for each person, divided among everyone travelling if there are several of you, and more for an extended trip. If you are travelling with a cook, tip them as well or incorporate their wages into the overall tip.
Are cultural trips to Maasai villages authentic?
Cultural trips to Maasai villages are very worthwhile and informative, but be aware most of the villages are not authentic.
Can I see more of Moshi than the main sights?
Hiring a local guide is a fantastic and inexpensive way to see the Moshi that you would not see otherwise, and guides can be hired at virtually any hotel. You can also take the Social Reality Tour, a three hours' walk with a social worker through deprived areas of Moshi, for US$10 that goes entirely to support the HIV patients you visit.
Decide whether the mountain, a safari or the town itself comes first, then start planning your days around the places above.