Moshi & Arusha

★★ Moshi — At the Foot of Kilimanjaro

The charming town of Moshi (190,000 inhabitants) is located at an altitude of 800 m right at the foot of Kilimanjaro — on clear days, the snow-capped summit towers over the town like a painting. Moshi is the starting point for Kilimanjaro climbs and has established itself as a relaxed backpacker town with good restaurants, cafes, and equipment suppliers.

Plan at least 1–2 days in Moshi before the climb: For the briefing with the organizer, last-minute equipment purchases, acclimatization, and relaxation. After the climb, a rest day in Moshi with a massage and good food is a must.

• Indigo Hotel: Excellent coffee and terrace with Kilimanjaro view
• Chagga Museum: Small museum about the Chagga, the people of Kilimanjaro
• Marangu Waterfalls: Day trip (1h drive), lovely hike through coffee plantations

★★ Arusha — Tanzania's Safari Capital

Arusha (500,000 inhabitants) is the gateway to the Northern Circuit — practically every safari to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, or Tarangire starts here. The city is lively, sometimes chaotic, but full of energy. It is located halfway between Cairo and Cape Town and hosts the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

• Arusha National Park: Often overlooked, but beautiful! Mount Meru (4,566 m) is in the park — an excellent 3–4-day climb for acclimatization before Kilimanjaro. Also: Giraffes, buffaloes, colobus monkeys, and flamingos at the Momella Lakes.
• Cultural Heritage Centre: The largest arts and crafts center in Tanzania. Tanzanite jewelry, Maasai jewelry, Tingatinga paintings.
• Maasai Market: Wednesdays and Saturdays. Authentic, colorful, loud — and a great place to buy souvenirs.