Kilimanjaro

Moshi is the compact capital of Tanzania's Kilimanjaro Region and the main gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak. Set on the southern slopes of the mountain, the town combines a busy regional trading centre with a steady flow of trekkers, safari travellers and coffee buyers.

The area has long been home to the Chagga people, and coffee farming introduced in the late 19th century still shapes local identity. Around town, modest colonial-era buildings, the central market and the historic Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union reflect this trading and agricultural heritage.

Visitors use Moshi as a base for Kilimanjaro climbs via the Marangu and Machame routes, as well as day trips to Materuni Waterfalls, coffee and banana farms, Kikuletwa (Chemka) Hot Springs and Lake Chala. Neighbourhoods such as central Moshi and the backpacker-friendly Shanty Town area offer markets, cafés and lodges.

Coffee remains the region's best-known export, while agriculture, trade and tourism support the local economy. The annual Kilimanjaro Marathon brings international runners, and the town's restaurants and bars serve Swahili dishes, grilled meats, fresh fruit and locally grown Arabica coffee.

For leisure travellers, Moshi is a practical base for mountain adventures and northern Tanzania's safari circuit, including Arusha, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. Business visitors also find a regional administrative and commercial centre with reliable transport links and year-round access to Kilimanjaro International Airport.