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Best Tourist Places to Visit in Njombe, Tanzania, East Africa, Africa

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Njombe, Tanzania, East Africa, Africa

Njombe is the name of the former district belonged to Iringa Region in the eastern African country, Tanzania. Currently Njombe is divided into two separate districts Njombe Urban District and Njombe Rural District. Now both of these districts are the parts of Njombe Region, Tanzania’s one of the 30 administrative regions. Njombe Rural District is located at 08°51′ S 034°50′ E, while Njombe Urban District coordinates with 09°20′ S latitude and 034°46′ E longitude. The city is surrounded by Mbeya to the west, Iringa to the north and Sonega to the south and is located around 470 km southwest of the national capital, Dodoma and 700 km southwest of Dar es Salaam, the largest city of Tanzania.

History of Njombe:

It is believed that, Njombe got its name from the Mdzombe trees, which was larger in population in the area during the German colonial rule. The new Njombe Region was formed in the year 2012 by carving it out from the Iringa region.

Conenctivity to Njombe:

There is a small airport in Njombe, probably that doesn’t receive any flights currently. The major closest airport to Njombe is Mbeya Airport, is located around 150 km west of Mbeya and operates flights from/to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.

By road, Njombe is connected to all three major cities surrounding it, Mbeya, Sonega and Iringa. To move within Njombe, minibuses are the prevalent options and other useful options include cars and taxis.

Food and Shopping in Njombe:

Njombe houses some nice restaurants and shops that are famous for offering both traditional and modernized items at reasonable prices.

Things to do in Njombe:

Tour to nearby nature reserves
Shopping
Walking

Places to see in Njombe:

Kipengere Mpanga Game Reserve:

The Kipengere Mpanga Game Reserve comes within the Njombe Region, covering an area of 1,574 square kilometers. It is shared between Makete District and Wanging’ombe District and houses a dense forest as well many indigenous plant and animal species. It is located towards the west of Njombe city.

Sao Hill Forest Reserve:

The Sao Hill Forest Reserve is located along the highway A 104, which leads Njombe to the city of Iringa and is situated around 110 km northeast of Njombe city. It is really an enthralling natural destination which will be a great day trip for nature enthusiasts.

Kitulo Plateau National Park:

Kitulo Plateau National Park is one of the recommended sites to visit in Tanzania. In its area of 412.9 sq. km, Njombe features many specialties that may be floral or faunal species, everything is gorgeous, distinct and colorful. The park is located around 150 km west of the city of Njombe.

Mbeya:

Mbeya is one of the prominent cities of Tanzania, situated around 160 km west of Njombe city. Apart from city’s attractions, Mbeya is the gateway to many wonderful natural tourist destinations like Mount Rungwe, Kitulo Plateau National Park and Uwanda Game Reserve.

List of other places of interest in and around Njombe include:

Mbozi meteorite
Sokoine Stadium
Kitulo Plateau National Park
Ngozi Crater Lake
Matumaini Women’s Centre
Mkwawa Golf Course
The Mikumi National Parks
Isimila Stone Age site
Neema Crafts Centre
Gangilonga Rock

Best time to visit Njombe:

The best time to visit Njombe would be during the dry months between June and October, when the pleasant weather makes tour ease and memorable.

Hotels in Njombe:

Mihijai Bed and Breakfast is one of the well known accommodation options in Njombe, situated in the heart of the city and around 10 minutes walking distance from the city’s bus terminal. It is an option for all types of travelers, for researchers, tourists and business travelers. Visitors can also consider hotels in Mbeya (around 150 km) that are as follows:

GR City Hotel
Landmark Hotel
Beaco Resort
Mount Livingstone Hotel
Mbeya Forest Hill Motel
Hill View Hotel
Matema Beach View Lutheran Centre
Crazy Crocodile Campsite
Karibuni Center Hotel
Mbeya Peak Hotel
Kyela Resort
Manyanya Inn Hotel
Mbeya Hotel
Peace of Mind Rest House
Utengule Coffee Lodge

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Mwanza, Tanzania, East Africa, Africa

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Mwanza, Tanzania, East Africa, Africa

Mwanza is a Tanzanian port city situated on the southern shore of Victoria Lake in the northwestern part of the country at 2°31′ S 32°54′ E. Mwanza is the 2^nd largest city of Tanzania, after Dar es Salaam and the administrative centre of Mwanza Region. It is popularly called as the Rock City, which refers a massive rock formation in Mwanza side of Lake Victoria. Located around 1,140 meters above sea level, Mwanza is blessed by a fresh breeze, calm weather and moderate temperature year round. Fishing and agricultural activities play vital role in Mwanza’s economy.

History of Mwanza:

Prior to beginning of colonial rule in the country, Mwanza had seen the rule of many regional powers, notably of the empires of Kerewe, Kara, Zinza and Sukuma. When the Germans took the control of Tanganyika (today’s Tanzania), Mwanza gained the status of district in the German colonial government. Mwanza also witnessed the British reign after the First World War. Mwanza became town in 1978 and city in 2000.

How to get Mwanza?

Mwanza is well connected to the rest of Tanzania by all three major modes of transportation. Mwanza Airport is situated near the lake shore, around 10 km away from the city’s midpoint. Apart from Tanzanian destinations including Dar es Salaam, the airport also links city to the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

By road, Mwanza is situated around 1160 km northwest of Dar es Salaam and this route is served by Green Star, Princess Muro and many other prominent bus companies with daily buses. Mwanza is also reachable by train from Dar es Salaam.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Mwanza:

Mwanza is a city with people belonging to different religions like Swaminarayan, Hindus, Christians and Muslims along with traditional practices.

The most famous locally produced shopping product in Mwanza is Nile perch fish fillet boxes, is typical and worth a price. Seafood is favorite of visitors in Mwanza that is really mouthwatering.

Things to do in Mwanza:

Serengeti Sange Safari
Shopping
Walking

What to see in Mwanza?

Lake Victoria:

Nearly everything in Mwanza is concentrated on the Lake Victoria, the world’s largest tropical lake and the largest lake in Africa. The lake shore is highlighted by Bismarck Rock, a gigantic rock formation. The rock can be climbed to have a charming view of the waters.

CCM Kirumba Stadium:

The CCM Kirumba Stadium is one of the identities of Mwanza as the country’s 3^rd largest stadium. This multipurpose stadium, mainly used for football matches, can hold around 35,000 spectators.

Bujora Museum Centre:

The Bujora Museum Centre is dedicated to the history of Sukuma tribe, who are believed that the largest tribal group in Tanzania. A perfect spot to get the awareness of local culture.

Kageye:

Kageye is a small village and historic site and was one of the parts of the Sukuma Kingdom, one of the regional powers in Mwanza. The village is also the site of the final resting place of an explorer, Frederick Barker and a Jewish descent, Dr Junker.

Saanane Island Game Reserve:

Located around 5 km from the heart of Mwanza, the Saanane Island Game Reserve was initially a zoo, designated in 1964 and became game reserve in 1991. A great site for nature lovers.

Other places of interest in and around Mwanza include:

Williamson diamond mine
Northern Kahama Game Reserve
Maswa Game Reserve
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Lake Manyara National Park
Arusha Clock Tower
The National Natural History Museum
Arusha National Park
Tarangire National Park

When to visit Mwanza?

The weather of Mwanza generally remains pleasant throughout the year, though the most preferred time to visit Mwanza is from June to October.

Where to stay in Mwanza?

Plenty of options, ranging from budget lodges to star rated hotels with superior amenities, served in a lovely and engaging way to make visitors’ tour memorable. Some such nice hotels in Mwanza are listed below:

Monarch Hotel & Beach Resort
Nyumbani Hotel
Hotel Tilapia
Hotel La Kairo
Royal Orchid Malaika Beach Resort
Ryan’s Bay Hotel
Gold Crest Hotel
Victoria Palace Hotel
Lake Hotel
Wag Hill Lodge
Isamilo Lodge
Speke Bay Lodge
Bujora Point Swimming Pool & Lodge
New Mwanza Hotel
Christmas Tree Hotel Mwanza

Places to Visit in Mwadui (Williamson diamond mine), Tanzania, East Africa, Africa

Places to Visit in Mwadui (Williamson diamond mine), Tanzania, East Africa, Africa

The Williamson diamond mine, also called the Mwadui mine, is a diamond mine in the eastern African country Tanzania, situated around 160 kilometers south of the city of Mwanza. Opened in 1940 by a Canadian geologist Dr. John Williamson, the Williamson diamond mine is especially noted as the first important gold mine to be established outside South Africa’s location and it also holds the dignity of the world’s one of the oldest incessantly functioning diamond mines. Since its establishment, WDM has produced more than 3,800 kg (nineteen million carats) of diamonds. The geographical coordinates of Williamson diamond mine are 03°31′ S 033°36′ E.

History of Williamson diamond mine:

Alhough Williamson diamond mine was the first significant diamond mine in Tanzania, diamond was first discovered in the country in the 1930s prior to the arrival of Williamson, who detected the Mwadui kimberlite pipe in 1940 and developed it substantially. After the death of Williamson, his heirs vended the mine in 1958 to the joint venture of De Beers and the colonial government of Tanganyika and after 10 years of Tanzania’s independence in 1971, the Williamson diamond mine became nationalized. Mwadui is the name of a local chief, which was named for the area by Williamson.

Traveling Williamson diamond mine:

There is an airport in Williamson but flights are not scheduled. So visitors are suggested to get off at Mwanza Airport first and afterwards, they can take taxi or bus to get Williamson diamond mine. The Mwanza Airport is situated around 150 km north of Williamson and operates flights from/to Dar es Salaam, Bukoba, Kigoma, Mpanda, Musoma, Rubondo, Manyara, Selous, Serengeti, Seronera, Tarangire, Zanzibar and Nairobi.

There is a direct road link from Mwanza to the area of Williamson diamond mine and buses are also regularly plying on this route.

Food and Shopping in Williamson diamond mine:

There are some nice restaurants and shops can be found near Williamson diamond mine, of which most are associated to the gold mine. Mwanza (around 150 km from Williamson) is a great shopping destination.

Things to do in Williamson diamond mine:

Gold mine tour
Walking
Shopping

What to see in Williamson diamond mine?

Tour of Williamson diamond mine:

The Williamson diamond mine is a perfect place for those who are keen to know how diamond is processed. The gold mining area can only be explored with a prior permission, with an aid of gold mining staffs or through a guided tour.

Northern Kahama Game Reserve:

Situated around 150 km west of Williamson diamond mine, the Northern Kahama Game Reserve is a compact forest area and a site for different outdoor activities like hiking, trekking and camping. Visitors can consider a guided tour to explore it without hindrance.

Mwanza:

Mwanza is a city located on the southern shore of Lake Victoria, around 150 km north of Williamson diamond mine. It is a multiethnic city with people from India, Arab and European countries. Apart from Lake Victoria, Mwanza is also famous for its religious sites, a sports venue CCM Kirumba Stadium and many entertainment centres. Buses are regular from Mwanza to its surrounding cities.

Other places of interest near Williamson diamond mine include:

Maswa Game Reserve
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Lake Manyara National Park
Arusha National Park
Tarangire National Park
Arusha Clock Tower
The National Natural History Museum
Mount Kilimanjaro
Bishop’s Cathedral of Arusha
Cultural Heritage Centre Arusha
Meserani Snake Park
Kilimanjaro Golf

Best time to visit Williamson diamond mine:

To explore the diamond processing history of Williamson, during the months between July and November are the best and convenient.

Where to stay in Williamson diamond mine?

There are few tourist favor hotels near Williamson diamond mine. Below is the list of hotels, in which the first two hotels are located near the diamond mine and the remaining hotels are in Mwanza (around 150 km from the Williamson diamond mine):

Karena Hotel
Vigimark Hotel
Hotel Tilapia
Nyumbani Hotel
Monarch Hotel & Beach Resort
Hotel La Kairo
Mayi Hotel
Serenity on the Lake
Ryan’s Bay Hotel
New Mwanza Hotel
Royal Orchid Malaika Beach Resort
Tilapia Hotel
Malaika Hotel
Gold Crest Hotel
Victoria Palace Hotel

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Musoma, Tanzania, East Africa, Africa

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Musoma, Tanzania, East Africa, Africa

Musoma is the capital city of the Mara Region in the eastern African country, Tanzania, located on the eastern tip of Lake Victoria between 01°30′00″ S latitude and 33°48′00″ E longitude. Musoma is situated around 1,200 meters above sea level, around 60 kilometers south of the border point, where Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda meet up. Musoma was the hometown of the father of the nation and the first president of Tanzania, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere. Musoma is located around 220 km northeast of Mwanza, 480 km northwest of Arusha and 1150 km northwest of Dar es Salaam, the largest city and commercial hub of Tanzania.

History of Musoma:

The name Musoma may be derived from the term Omusoma, which literally means ‘spit’, referring many spits in Musoma. As like the rest of Tanzania, Musoma also came under the German rule from the 1990s until the outcome of First World War, in which Germany ceded to the British. Musoma became independent from the British rule with the country’s independence on 9 December 1961.

Getting Musoma:

Musoma Airport operates flights only from/to Mwanza Airport, where visitors can get flights from all the major cities in Tanzania, including Dar es Salaam. Musoma Airport is situated within the city premise.

Musoma is linked to Mwanza by direct bus services, but from Arusha visitors have to find alternative ways to reach Musoma. Visitors can hire a car and bike at the travel agencies in Musoma for local travel, airport travel and sightseeing purposes.

Culture, food and shopping in Musoma:

Musoma was the hometown of many famous personalities, must mention persons include the first President of Tanzania Julius Kambarage Nyerere and the former Prime Minister of Joseph Sinde Warioba.

Shops are abundant in Musoma, of which most are located around the main bus station of the city. Some famous restaurants in Musoma include:

Alshaz’s takeaway
Rehema

What to do in Musoma?

Fishing
Swimming
Traditional shopping
Village tours

What to see in Musoma?

Lake Victoria:

The Lake Victoria is the first preference of tourists visiting the city Musoma. It is the Africa’s largest lake in terms of area and the largest tropical lake in the world. It is a wonderful tourist destination with a wide range of water sport activities, including fishing and swimming. It is a must visit.

Grumeti Game Reserve:

The Grumeti Game Reserve is situated to the southeast of Musoma, featuring dense forest with a substantial number of African animals and birds. It is advised visitors to take a guided tour for easier exploration of the reserve.

Serengeti National Park:

The Serengeti National Park is a paradise for animal and bird enthusiasts, especially noted for more than 1.5 million white bearded wildebeest migrating to the park. The park is also famous for the migration of 250,000 zebras and the population of Nile crocodiles. Popular birdlife in the park include crowned crane, marabou stork, martial eagle, ostrich, secretary bird and Kori bustard.

List of other places of interest in and around Musoma includes:

Ngorongoro Crater
Lake Manyara National Park
Arusha National Park
Tarangire National Park
Cultural Heritage Centre Arusha
Meserani Snake Park
Kilimanjaro Golf
Olduvai Gorge
Lake Manyara
Bishop’s Cathedral of Arusha
Arusha Clock Tower
The National Natural History Museum
Mount Kilimanjaro

Best time to visit Musoma:

Generally during the dry months between July and November is ideal to visit Musoma to explore its natural beauty.

Where to stay in Musoma?

Musoma houses many tourist favor accommodation centres, mainly BB and inns and vacation rentals. Visitors can also refer hotels in the nearest major city Mwanza. In below list, the first 6 hotels are in Musoma and the rest of the hotels are in Mwanza (around 220 km from Musoma):