Moshi is a municipality and the capital of Kilimanjaro region in the north eastern Tanzania. As of 2017, the municipality has an estimated population of 201,150 and a population density of 3,409 persons per km2 . In the last official census of 2012, the municipality had a population of 184,292. The municipality is situated on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano that is the highest mountain in Africa. The municipality covers about 59 square kilometres (23 sq mi) and is the smallest municipality in Tanzania by area.

The noticeably clean capital of the densely populated Kilimanjaro region sits at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro. Moshi makes a good introduction to the splendours of the north. It’s a low-key place with an appealing blend of African and Asian influences. Moshi has a self-sufficient, prosperous feel, due in large part to its being the centre of one of Tanzania’s major coffee-growing regions. Virtually all visitors are here to climb Mt Kilimanjaro or to recover after having done so. Yet there's much more to do in Tanzania when in Moshi, including cultural tours and hikes on the mountain's lower slopes.

Where is Moshi, Tanzania

Moshi is a city found in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. It is located -3.35 latitude and 37.33 longitude and it is situated at elevation 854 meters above sea level. Moshi has a population of 156,959 making it the biggest city in Kilimanjaro. It operates on the BEAT time zone.

History of Moshi, Tanzania

Originally home to the ethnic people, Chagga, the German Army setup a base camp here in 1893. Later, German colonialist occupiers also setup coffee plantations, developed farm houses and other dwellings. After World War 2, the British came to Tanzania as part of the League of Nations mandate and took over the properties and later returned their ownership to the local people at the time of independence. Thus, Moshi has a strong colonial background that is apparent in the architecture of the old buildings that still stand today. Some of these have been restored to their original charm and converted into tourist lodges and hotels. 

Top Things to Do in Moshi

Moshi is a small and lively Tanzanian market town. It is the capital of the Kilimanjaro region. What makes Moshi so unique is the fact that it is hidden behind one of the world’s most beautiful scenery, the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro. No matter where you wander around in Moshi, the mountain is always within reach. The town is located at an altitude of 890m above sea level. Moshi is the kind of place where you can relax in a friendly atmosphere and it’s easy to get in contact with the locals. Spend a few days in Moshi and see what it has to offer.

Hike Mount Kilimanjaro

When you arrive in Moshi, the first thing you’ll notice is the spectacular peak of Mount Kilimanjaro towering in the distance. As the highest mountain in Africa, climbing Kilimanjaro is on plenty of people’s bucket lists. When you’re so close by, it would be a shame not to have a try yourself at this Kilimajaro adventure. Don’t be daunted by the height, though- you don’t need to be a pro mountaineer to tackle this challenge.

So long as you’re relatively fit and have a positive attitude, you can hike up one of the designated routes and reach the summit in a few days. It’s a trek that will tire you out, but once you reach the top, it’s definitely worth it. A breathtaking panorama stretches out around you, and you can see for miles upon miles across the landscape.

Materuni Waterfalls & coffee tour

This very impressive Waterfall is one of the tallest in the area, spewing crystal clear glacier water 70m into its basin. The beautiful path leading to Materuni Waterfall is located 2500m above sea level

It traverses thru valleys and hills covered by tropical rainforest, past coffee, banana and avocado “shambas”, the Kiswahili word for farms. On a clear day great views of Kibo and Moshi town can be seen. The hike to the base of the Waterfall can be demanding and hiking boots are recommended. As this trip is so close to Moshi town it is ideal for those people with limited time but who would still like to see some of the nature and beauty that this region of Tanzania has to offer.

Materuni is one of the few villages of wonder in Northern Tanzania sitting at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. The village is blessed with full of all the beauty worth much visiting for holiday, week-end outing or vacation. While in the village, scenic view of Moshi Town and Mount Kilimanjaro is astonishing. This green village with fresh air from green vegetations welcomes visitors to explore the beauty of the land and cultural heritage of the Chagga people.

A cultural experience such as banana beer brewed or coffee roasted the traditional way can be added to your hike.

From Materuni Village We Will Walk Some 30 Minutes To The Waterfall. The Walk Itself Is Extremely Interesting, As You Will See Some Smaller Waterfalls And Lots Of Waterways Which Are Part Of The Irrigation System Of The Local Farmers Who Grow Coffee, Bananas And Many Other Fruits And Vegetables.

Chemka hot springs day trip

Kikuletwa Hot Springs or Chemka hot springs are an unexpected paradise hidden in the desert scrub outside the town of Boma.

Situated about 35 kilometres from Moshi, in the heart of the Sanya Plains, lie the Rundugai Springs. They are an extraordinary phenomenon, rushing up from underground in the middle of parched and dusty landscape. Locally called Chemka, meaning boiling, this refers to the way in which the water appears to boil as it emerges from underground. In fact, the water is not hot rather it is a pleasant temperature! This is a good place to visit for a picnic and a swim too. And the views of Kilimanjaro on a clear day are also fabulous. Unfortunately, the water is full of fluoride which means the local people can’t use it for drinking.  The crystal-clear, turquoise waters surrounded by palm trees and winding roots offer a picturesque spot for a relaxing afternoon swim.

The spring is actually rather big and over 6 meters deep in some places although you can see the bottom through the crystal clear waters no matter where you are. You can also wrap your arms around one of the roots and just let the water flow by as you drift off into a daydream listening to the monkeys and birds in the treas.

You can have as much fun or relaxation as your heart desires and your mind and body needs.

Visit Lake Chala

Lake Chala is a beautiful area located on the western side of Kilimanjaro at the Kenya/Tanzanian border, about 2.5 hour drive from Moshi. The lake is filled and drained by underground streams. Located near the slopes of Kilimanjaro, the lake is amazingly clear with steep crater walls. It is the deepest inland water body in Africa with the depth of about 3km. Due to the enormous depth boating is recommended. Visitors can hike at the lake and enjoy the beautiful view and fresh air. Aside from plenty of fish, Monitor lizards, baboons, monkeys and common snakes may be seen by chance.

Moshi Club

Moshi Club was established in 1920 and is built at the foot of the tallest mountain in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro . It is the golf course where one can see the great tourist attraction, the snow capped mountain a few degrees south of the equator, from everywhere on the golf course. The Moshi club Golf course is one of the oldest golf courses in Tanzania and features a 9 hole course (Par 35, 3.217 yards from the mens tees).

The Moshi golf course is a property of the Moshi Club, which is a members’ social club. Currently the club membership stands at 100. The Club owns other sporting facilities like tennis and squash courts. The golf course is managed by a Committee of 7 members who are elected by the golfers. Presently the golf section has 40 golfers but out of these only 30 are active golfers.

This first Golf course was closed in the late fifties due to the expansion and development of the Moshi Township. The present golf course is also within the Moshi Municipality and only about 4 km from the town center. It is accessible by tarmac road up to the main entrance gate into the club premises. While anywhere on this golf course one can see the great tourist attraction – the snow capped mountain (the Kilimanjaro) a few degrees south of the equator.

We are fortunate that this facility is located at the foot of this Mountain which attracts a lot of trekkers from all over the world. It has nine holes with greens. The total length of the course is 6452 yards (out 3228 and in 3224) The par of the course is 71 and S.S.S the same.

There are no records available to show when golf was first played in Moshi. But the club was started in 1920 and the previous golf course which was situated where the Mawenzi Hospital and the Moshi Municipal Council Buildings are now, was probably laid out a few years after 1920. The Club was officially registered on 18th July 1935, and the first trustees were Oweson Allingham Flynn and John Logan Brown. The first Golf course had nine holes with browns. The first recorded major golf competition was the Golf Challenge Cup presented by D.G.Grant in 1930, which was won by T.P.S Dawkins and Mrs. A.Reid. The best course record is 68 gross and is held by both H.Mcquillan and A.Muir of Zambia. The record was made in 1968 during the Tanzania Open Championship which was held in Moshi.

This record was broken by the current Golf captain, Mr. T Murage on 26/03/11 who played 64 net on handicap 12. This record was made on a regular week end fiddle. There is no consistent record on this but we have currently decided to put up a course record board for posterity.

Market Run

Back in town, the Memorial Market is your chance to shop until you drop. Even if you don’t have the courage to bargain, it’s fun just to wander around and sample the colour, smells and sounds. Tuesday and Friday are the best market days, and, when you’re ready to go, take the daladala back to the town centre and get off at the bus station. Stroll down via Nyerere Road, past different street vendors and tailors, to Mbuyuni Market, Moshi’s big market with fresh local produce. Depending on the season, you’ll find mango, passion fruit, papaya, pineapple or avocado and more. Buy a selection and prepare your own salad – follow food prep guidelines and you’ll have a healthy, oh-so-fresh yummy meal that’ll make you feel good inside and out.

Try the Local Cuisine

For a relatively small city, plenty of visitors to Moshi are surprised by the variety of food on offer. You’ll find a little bit of everything on offer, as people from all over the world have made Moshi their home, and brought their local cuisine with them. If you really want to get a taste of Tanzania, though, then make sure you tuck in to some traditional Swahili cuisine. Their national dish is Sima, a kind of dumpling made with cornmeal or cassava flour, which is usually served up with a stew and eaten with others from a large dish.

Alternatively, you can try out nyama choma, a quintessentially East African dish of grilled meat that’s often paired with grilled bananas for the perfect sweet-and-savory combo. Alongside traditional dishes, you’ll find that Indian cuisine has had a big impact on this part of Africa, so there are many delicious Eastern-influenced foods on offer, too.