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

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

Mbeya is a Tanzanian city situated in the southwestern part of the country, around 830 km southwest of Dar es Salaam, the largest city of Tanzania. Mbeya is the gateway to many game reserves and national parks in the country like the Kitulo Plateau National Park, Kipengere Mpanga Game Reserve, Uwanda Game Reserve and Usungu Game Reserve. Mbeya serves as the administrative centre of Mbeya region, located between 08°54′ S latitude and 33°27′ E longitude. Situated at an elevation of 1,700 meters, Mbeya experiences a subtropical highland climate with dry winters and humid summers.

History of Mbeya:

Mbeya originated as a gold mining town in the 1920s after the gold rush in the region in 1905. The region of Mbeya was formed in the year 1961 and the town of Mbeya was incorporated into city on 1 July 2005. The construction of the railway line to the area increased the population of Mbeya substantially during the first half of the 20^th century.

How to get Mbeya?

Mbeya Airport is the airport serving Mbeya, situated around 3 km away from the heart of the city. This airport connects Mbeya to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Another airport in the area is Songwe International Airport, located around 25 km southwest of Mbeya city. It handles more flights than Mbeya.

Mbeya is also linked to Dar es Salaam by both train and bus services. Dalla-dallas (minibuses) and taxis are the primary options to move within Mbeya.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Mbeya:

Mbeya is home to the eminent football club Prisons FC, which represents Mbeya in the Tanzanian Premier League.

Shops are abundant in number in Mbeya, both traditional and modern options. Mbeya Hotel is an Asian restaurant, mainly famous for Indian and Chinese food.

Things to do in Mbeya:

Trout fishing
Hiking
Forest walking
Game safaris

Tourist Attractions in Mbeya:

Mbozi meteorite:

Situated around 65 km southwest of Mbeya, the Mbozi meteorite is famous as the world’s one of the largest meteorites. It measures a length of 3 metres and height of 1 meter. This iron meteorite was discovered in 1930.

Kitulo Plateau National Park:

The Kitulo Plateau National Park is located to the southeast of Mbeya, which characterizes diverse geographical features, including alpine grassland and montane forest. This nature wonder sprawls over an area of 412.9 sq. km and can be explored through a guided tour.

Mount Rungwe:

The Mount Rungwe is the 2^nd highest peak of southern Tanzania with an elevation of 2,960 metres. It is located above the town of Tukuyu, around 70 km south of the city of Mbeya.

Sokoine Stadium:

The Sokoine Stadium is the home ground of the soccer clubs Prisons FC and Mbeya United. This multipurpose stadium has a seating capacity of 10,000 people. It will be a nice half day trip for visitors.

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

Teofilo Kisanji University
Mzumbe University
Ngozi Crater Lake
Isimila Stone Age site
Neema Crafts Centre
Gangilonga Rock
Matumaini Women’s Centre
Mkwawa Golf Course
Iringa University College
The Mikumi National Parks
Ruaha National Park
Mnazi Bay Marine
Selous Game Reserve
Iringa Cemetery
The old Boma

Best time to visit Mbeya:

From June to October is the best time to visit Mbeya, except these months, Mbeya receives heavy rainfall.

Accommodation options in Mbeya:

Mbeya is a city with all sorts of tourist favor accommodation houses. If visitors head towards the outskirts of the city can find Utengule Coffee Lodge, where accommodation with facilities like swimming pool, tennis and squash courts are available at affordable budget. Here are some nice hotels in Mbeya: