Things to do in Northeast Tanzania
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Hiking
The western Usambaras around Lushoto offer some wonderful walking. Routes follow well-worn footpaths that weave among villages, cornfields and banana plantations, and range from a few hours to several days.
It's easy to hike on your own, though you'll need to master a few basic Swahili phrases and should also try to get a topographical map of the area from the Surveys & Mapping Division sales office in Dar es Salaam or carefully study the ones posted on the walls of the two tourist information centres.
Carrying a compass or GPS is a good idea. You should also either carry a tent or plan your route to go via the handful of villages where local guesthouses are available.
Staf…
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Lushoto-Mtae Walk
There's a lovely three- to four-day hike from Lushoto to Mtae through stands of pine and past cornfields, villages and patches of wild asters, a five-day walk to Amani Nature Reserve, plus many other possibilities. The tourist information centres have wall maps detailing some of the routes, and several hikes are described in detail in Lonely Planet's Trekking in East Africa.
Nearby villages where accommodation is available include Bumbuli (with rooms at the old Lutheran mission hospital guesthouse for around TSh100), Lukozi (local guesthouse rooms for about around TSh2000), Rangwi (basic rooms in a lovely setting at the local convent), Mtae (local guesthouses) and Mlalo (…
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Irente Viewpoint Walk & Irente Farm
An easy walk is the Irente Viewpoint Walk (about 1½ hours return), which begins on the road running southwest from the Anglican church and leads gradually uphill to the viewpoint, with wide views on clear days. It's impressive to see how abruptly the Usambaras rise up from the plains below.
En route is Irente Farm (;08:00-17:00 Mon-Fri, 10:00-17:00 Sat & Sun), where you can buy fresh cheese (they're in stiff but good-natured competition with the nearby Montessori Centre - buy some cheese at both and judge for yourself), home-made rye bread and granola, and also get accommodation.
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Kwembago & Mazumbai Forest Reserve Walk
An easy walk to do on your own: head north out of Lushoto along the road running between the Catholic and Anglican churches. After about five minutes, bear sharply left and start climbing, following the road past scattered houses and small farm plots.
About 35 minutes further on is the royal village of Kwembago, the traditional seat of the local Sambaa chief and notable for its large open field and handful of old double-storey, balconied houses. Continue up hill, bear right at the junction, and follow the path around and then down again to the other side of the Lushoto valley, where it joins with the tarmac road heading up to Migambo. For a longer variant, head left at th…
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International Bicycle Fund
Cycling tours in affiliation with International Bicycle Fund can be organised at the Friends of Lushoto Cultural Tourism Centre. A seven-day tour from Lushoto to Same via Mkomazi costs US$350 per person (minimum three people) including bicycle and helmet rental, plus extra if a support vehicle is needed. Contact International Bicycle Fund directly in Lushoto or email ymadiwa@yahoo.com.
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Cycling Tours
Cycling tours in affiliation with International Bicycle Fund can be organised at the Friends of Lushoto Cultural Tourism Centre (027-264 0132). A seven-day tour from Lushoto to Same via Mkomazi costs US$350 per person (minimum three people) including bicycle and helmet rental, plus extra if a support vehicle is needed. Contact International Bicycle Fund directly or in Lushoto email ymadiwa@yahoo.com.
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Tayodea
On the small hill behind the bus stand, and next to New Friends Corner guesthouse. Arranges guides and hikes.
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