Climbing/safari
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is the obvious reason for being in Moshi. Safari is also essential, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park and Arusha National Park are within a fairly easy distance. Tours can be arranged through several companies, and it is advisable to use common sense when finding a company. Your best bet is to ask other tourists who they used. Or, ask your accommodation for a referral to a safari company. Do not deal with a random person on the street; look for a real office! You can also book ahead of time but you will be spending a lot more. Otherwise, you can almost certainly bargain prices down, within reason.
Remember that when you pay for safari most goes to cover park fees, lodging, food and gas. The guide gets little money, especially when working for a large organization; most of their income is from tips. Also, if you are traveling with a cook it is a good rule of thumb to tip them as well or to incorporate their wages into the overall tip. For example, on a 3 day safari an estimated tip would be $50 for each, though if you're traveling with more people this amount is to be divided amongst everyone and if traveling for an extended period of time it would be recommended to tip more. A well paid guide is a happy guide, who will try their hardest and give you the best experience. Consider some of the following tour companies:
Expedition Kilimanjaro
This well-known and very reliable company organizes - next to climbs up Mt Kilimanjaro- a good number of safaris to national parks, including the Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and the Serengeti. Supporter of the Kilimanjaro Guide Scholarship Foundation and member of the Porters Association.
Mbugani Safaris
A professional tour company with seven years' experiences in safaris, mountain trekking and beach holidays.
Bushmen Expeditions
Bushmen expeditions and safaris offers a wide range of african safaris and tours throughout tanzania. (http://www.bushmenexpedit...)
Zara Tanzania Adventures
(http://www.zaratours.com) organizes kilimanjaro climbs, safaris in all national parks, trekking, and cultural tours.
Porters Association
Located near the kindoroko hotel on the double road at chagga st.
Scenery Safaris Ltd
(http://www.scenerysafaris.com), tel: 0 27 27 53006/7, cell: 0 784 535311, [email protected] organizes kilimanjaro climbs and safaris
Other activities
Cultural trips to Maasai
Villages are very worthwhile and informative, but be aware most of the villages are not authentic.
Day trips to Marangu Waterfalls
Are often fun, you can stand underneath the waterfall, even jump off one and go swimming. day trips to lake nyumba ya mungu can also be interesting, lots of local fishing culture, aloe vera plantations and sugar cane plantations. there is also a snake park and camel riding centre in nearby town arusha. these can be arranged individually by taking a bus or organizing with a safari company. also make sure that all employees at the safari-company you decide to go with get a good salary, it is better to pay more and be assured quick service with a possible car break down or other unforeseen situations.
Walking tours
Across the rice paddys make for a nice day and you can also visit the local forest to see some monkeys! these are usually arranged through a safari company but are significantly less expensive as you are only paying for a single guide.
Skydive Kilimanjaro
Has been abolished since someone died in a dive and a plane crashed.
Even if you aren't getting a bus, the bus station is worth visiting for its chaos. It is highly recommended to take a daladala just to be able to say you have, and no doubt you will have an adventure.
relaxing
If wanting to just have a relaxing day in Moshi it is recommended to head to the Impala Hotel where you can relax by the lovely pool in your bikini and whatnot without fear! and also enjoy a meal pool side. The cost to hang out by the pool and to go swimming is 3,000 TSH. Meals cost around 5,000TSH.
to go swimming
Another good place to go swimming is the YMCA located a bit north of town, and has a large, deep pool.
Volunteer activities
Hostel Foot Prince
Is run by the organisation foot2afrika (http://www.foot2afrika.com). they only charge for food, and accommodation while project volunteering is free.
Moshi is also home to several volunteer organizations though they tend to be very overpriced and badly managed. However, there are many opportunities to volunteer in orphanages, schools and women's centers without being connected to these organizations.
Global Volunteer Programs KilimanjaroGVPhttp://www.gvp-tanzania.org/Tel: +255 0 2727 54652Mobile: +255 0 7543 91121, Email:[email protected]. Global Volunteer Programs Kilimanjaro is a grassroots organization based in the town of Moshi in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. It is committed to improving the lives of Tanzanians through a comprehensive program of volunteering projects tackling social, economic and environmental problems with an emphasis on education, healthcare, rural development and capacity building.As life long residents of the community, the founders of the organization are well aware of the needs of the local population and, through GVPâs programs, focus on those needs with a dedication to excellence.With your help GVP can assist the people East Africa to flourish.
Light in Africa
(http://www.lightinafrica.org/) is a locally managed orphanage separate for babies, girls and boys, school and dispensary. they have a very informative website, but be warned, you must be dedicated if you are to help out here!
Moyo Mmoja
Is a women's center open only to fellow women to volunteer.