MOSHI

Nestled at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro, Moshi is the coffee-producing center of the country. Vast plantations of coffee blanket the area, surrounding the town and rising up the slopes of Kilimanjaro. Coffee is a mainstay of life in Moshi, and the seasonal coffee auctions, where international buyers bid for wholesale coffee, is an event not to be missed if you’re in town. Sugar plantations are also of central importance to the region’s economy, and can be seen outside the town.

Cultural tourism programes can arrange short hikes and day-trips to local villages, and also tours of nearby coffee farms. But the main reason visitors come to Moshi is to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, the mountain whose thick clouds and snow-capped peak tower over the agricultural town. Climbing expeditions depart for Kilimanjaro National Park early in the morning, before the clouds that cluster daily around the mountaintop have risen, and when the air is fresh and cool. Whether you’re in Moshi to scale to the top of Africa or learn more about coffee growing and production, Moshi is a quiet haven of tranquil peace, its sedate streets offering a warm welcome in a beautiful setting.