Lushoto, Tanga
Lushoto Brief Historical Background
Lushoto as Wilhelmstal Lushoto German: Wilhelmstal, “William’s Valley” named after Emperor Wilhelm II is one of the eight districts of Tanga Region in Tanzania. It is bordered to the northeast by Kenya, to the east by the Muheza District, to the northwest by the Kilimanjaro Region, and to the south by the Korogwe District. During the German colonial period from the 1890s to 1918 the area was popular with settlers, hence the German place name of Wilhelmstal. Large farms and plantations were created, and the district was valued for its pleasant mountain climate.
Numerous Church missions were, and remain, active. Between 1893 and 1911 the German Ostafrikanische Eisenbahngesellschaft East African Railway Cooperation constructed an important railway line starting at Tanga on the coast and passing along the Usambara Mountains with a station established at Mombo, about 20 kilometers from Wilhelmstal, to “New” Moshi at Kilimanjaro.
The initial plan of the Usambarabahn was to connect the port of Tanga with Lake Victoria by passing south of the Usambara Mountains. This was in direct competition with parallel British efforts in colonial Kenya. From 4 June 1912 to 12 May 1913 the line was renamed Nordbahn Northern Railway for a short period.
‘’THE MOST UNEXPLORED VENTURE’’ Lushoto is a town in the West Usambara mountains in Tanzania. It is the capital of the Lushoto district and it is one of Tanzania’s hidden gems. If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path nature adventure and experiencing the local culture in one of the
best hiking destinations in East Africa, Lushoto is the best place for you. This is a guide to Lushoto and the activities you can do in the area besides hiking
the Usambara mountains which is the most popular activity in Lushoto. There are plenty of things to do in Lushoto and for sure you will enjoy your stay in this lovely Tanzanian town.
WHERE IS LUSHOTO
Lushoto is located in the heart of the West Usambara mountains at an altitude of 1384 m.a.s.l. It is located 245 Km from Dar Es Salaam and 96 Km from Tanga town
and 191 Km from Moshi, the closest town to Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa.
HOW TO GET TO LUSHOTO
The only way to Lushoto is by road. There is no airport in the proximity of Lushoto. Daily buses are coming from Moshi, Dar Es Salaam, and many other locations
around the country. You can also lease a car or a 4×4 and drive yourself here.
THINGS TO DO IN LUSHOTO
• GET TO IRENTE VIEW POINT
Irente’s point is the most popular hike and one of the coolest things to do in Lushoto. The viewpoint is located at 1600 meters and it has some breathtaking views over Mafia Mountain and the Maasai plains.
The hike will bring you through local villages and the Irente biodiversity reserve to culminate in the viewpoint.
Take a tour guide when doing this and all other hikes in Lushoto. The Usambara mountains are a high flora and fauna diversity area and your guide will be able to
show you the right spots. Tour guides will also assist you in interacting with the local people.
You can combine the Irente viewpoint hike with several cultural activities or with
some other hikes.
• TASTE LOCAL COFFEE AT TUPANDE
Tupande coffee has been rated by some of its customers as the best coffee in East Africa. The coffee is grown in the Usambara mountains and taking a cup of its coffee in the
Tupande NGO coffee corner, close to Lushoto bus station is not to be missed when visiting this town.
• TAKE THE KISASA WATERFALL TOUR
The Kisasa waterfall is the biggest waterfall around Lushoto and you can make it on a half-day hike from Lushoto. The waterfall flows down some beautiful rock formations surrounded by palm trees.
You can combine the waterfall hike with some other half-day tours in Lushoto. If you would like to book the tour in advance you can do it.
• VISIT A TRADITIONAL HEALER
Traditional healers are still a big part of the Tanzanian culture. Even if Western medicine has been introduced in most of the country, many people will still resort to
traditional healing methods before visiting a hospital. In some remote areas where hospitals are too far away traditional healing is the only available method to help in case of an emergency.
Traditional healers have extensive knowledge of plant usage for healing purposes. They also use sound rituals and some other techniques to heal or remove
the evil eye.
There are several traditional healers in the Lushoto area but to visit one of then you will need to do it through an organized tour.
• HAVE A TRADITIONAL SHAMBAA COOKING CLASS
The Shambaa people are the indigenous people of the Usambara mountains, Lushoto district. Shambaa people are among the kindliest people in Tanzania. You
can arrange a tour to get a traditional Shambaa cooking class where they will show you how to cook some delicious organic food and you will be able to see a Shambaa home from the inside.
If you are interested in cultural tourism visiting a Shambaa family and cooking with them it is a not to be missed thing to do in Lushoto.
• TAKE A BIRD WATCHING TOUR
Start the day going on a bird-watching tour. Lushoto and its surrounding area is home to many bird species. The best spots for bird watching are located in the some of the protected forest surrounding areas. You can have a look at the last birds spotted in Lushoto.
• GO SPOTTING CHAMELEONS
Lushoto and the Usambara mountains are famous for their endemic chameleons that are everywhere. Yes, you can find these amazing creatures, very closely related to the dinosaurs all around. But they are difficult to distinguish as they change colors to melt with the environment.
Go spotting chameleons is one of the coolest things you can do when visiting Lushoto. It is also the best activity to do in Lushoto for children. Children will never
forget spotting this precious creature.
• STROLL THE LOCAL MARKET
The local market in Lushoto happens on Thursday and Sunday. They sell almost everything at the market but the most beautiful area is where vegetables are being
sold. People in the Usambara mountains live mostly on farming and most of the fruits and vegetables there are organic.
• Lushoto market stall
Some people in the market might not feel comfortable if you take pictures or videos and most of them do not speak English. So, it is better to always go accompanied by a local guide who will help you communicate with the locals to get the best out of your experience.
• TAKE A HALF DAY TRIP TO THE SONI WATERFALLS
The Soni waterfalls are located 17 km from Lushoto and Soni has also a very colorful market with friendly people. You can always visit the waterfalls on a market
day. These waterfalls are not very visited and you will find mostly only local people in the area.
• DO THE FAMOUS LUSHOTO TO MTAE TREK
This is the most famous hike in the Usambara mountains and many people come here just to do this hike. The hike will take you through breathtaking landscapes and
Shambaa villages to reach Mtae and the Mambo village from where you have stunning views of the Mikomazi National Park and even Mount Kilimanjaro.
• GO ON A SAFARI TO MKOMAZI NATIONAL PARK
Mkomazi is not the best well-known national park in Tanzania and this is a good thing as it can save you some cash while enjoying the Tanzanian fauna in all its
splendor. Nkomazi shares a border with Tsavo National Park in Kenya. Lushoto is the perfect base to book and enjoy your Mkomazi park experience.
Do not forget to visit the Rhino Sanctuary while enjoying your safari in the Mkomazi National Park.
• GET SWIMMABLE MKUZI WATERFALLS
The Mkuzi waterfalls are the only swimmable waterfalls in Lushoto. They are located at the Mkuzi forest reserve. The forest is full of beautiful butterflies and birds and if you are lucky, you might even spot some Colobus monkeys.
• GO STARGAZING
There are some fantastic areas for stargazing in Lushoto and some camping areas where you can spend the night in a tent in the middle of nature and far away from
light pollution. However, we always recommend go accompanied by a local person during your stargazing adventure for safety reasons.
• DO SOME TRAIL RUNNING
Lushoto is the perfect place for trail running. There are trails all around town and in the surrounding areas. Dress modestly during your trail running adventure and respect the local customs.
Mazumbai forest is another one of Tanzania’s hidden gems. You can take a 3 or 4-day tour from Lushoto to visit this nature wonder.
• GET TO KNOW THE HISTORICAL CENTER
Lushoto has a strong German and British influence from the colonial era. Taking a tour of the Lushoto Historical Center will bring you back in history.
• HIKE TO THE MAGAMBA PEAK
This is perhaps the second most famous hike in the Usambara mountains. The Magamba forest reserve is a breathtaking forest reserve with many endemic species.
The climb to Magamba Peak will take you through trails of immense beauty. There is also a German cave on the Magamaba forest trails, a heritage of the German
colonization of the Usambara mountains.
WHERE TO EAT IN LUSHOTO
Enjoying local food in Lushoto is one of the best things you can do as almost everything is organic there for a very affordable price.
The best local restaurants in Lushoto
✓ Muzdalifa – This local restaurant serves excellent beef soup and rice with veggies at a very affordable price. They also serve delicious Tamarind juice. It is located in front of Mohamed Coffee, just around 50 meters from Lushoto bus station.
✓ Sham – This local restaurant is located in front of Lushoto bus station and they are well known in the whole town for their delicious samosas. You have to hurry up if you would like to try them. They are usually fresh at 7:00 a.m and 4:00 p.m but they are usually finished in less than one hour.
✓ Bust Station – There are several food vendors from around 17:30 onwards where you can buy “Chips Mayai” and some beef sticks. Mamma Mia Pizza – This restaurant is not very far from Lushoto center and here you can find all sorts of pasta and pizza and they also serve delicious Cappuccino. Lawns Hotel– The Lawns Hotel is located around 1 km from Lushoto center and it serves delicious Western food on a beautiful setup. Their tomato soup is delicious and a perfect dinner dish when the temperatures become colder in the evening. They also have a beautiful fireplace.
How to get to Lushoto
Arusha to Mombo town then connect /take a bus to Lushoto It Could be around 7 hours the trip in both sides If you miss the morning bus directly to Lushoto you can take the late bus for Dar then drop by Mombo town and catch the bus to Lushoto town but Lushoto town Mombo to Lushoto is about 22 km but up to Mambo town is 93km and 60 km is a rough road.