Iringa
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Iringa

Iringa

Southern Highlands capital on a cool escarpment, used as a base for Ruaha and Udzungwa

Iringa is a provincial capital in the Tanzanian Southern Highlands, set on a dramatic escarpment at 1,600 metres. The altitude keeps it cooler than most of Tanzania, the scenery is striking, and the town itself is relaxed and largely tourist-free — a rare thing in this part of the world.

What makes Iringa worth a stop is its position as a gateway to three of southern Tanzania's highlights: Ruaha National Park, one of Tanzania's largest and least crowded reserves; Udzungwa Mountains National Park, a biodiversity hotspot of rainforest and waterfalls; and the Isimila Stone Age site, where erosion has exposed stone tools and fossils from 60,000 years ago in an otherworldly landscape of eroded pillars. Closer to town is Kalenga, the seat of Chief Mkwawa, the Hehe leader who held off the Germans for seven years.

In town, the market is one of the best in Tanzania — pick up the distinctive Iringa baskets woven from sisal and palm leaf. Neema Crafts, a workshop and cafe employing more than 60 disabled people, is genuinely not to be missed: you can tour the workshops (paper made from elephant dung, handwoven textiles, recycled-glass beadwork) and then eat very well in the gallery cafe. The climb up Gangilonga Rock rewards you with views over the escarpment; go in a group rather than alone.

Guide

Getting There

Iringa sits on the main Dar es Salaam–Mbeya highway, making it well connected by bus. Several companies run daily services from Dar es Salaam (the road via Morogoro is tarmac and in good condition), and there are daily connections from Mbeya, Kyela, Songea, Njombe, and Dodoma. A direct bus runs from Moshi and Arusha, though the company operating that route has a poor safety reputation — consider alternatives if travelling from the north. The road to Dodoma requires a four-wheel drive. Iringa's airport has no regular scheduled flights.

Guide

Things to Do

Iringa itself can be walked in an afternoon: the market, Neema Crafts, and the climb up Gangilonga Rock for the view. The real reasons to stop here are within an easy day's drive: the Isimila Stone Age Site and Kalenga, where the Hehe chief Mkwawa held off the Germans for seven years before being beheaded.