Top Tourist Places to Visit in Mtwara, Tanzania, East Africa, Africa

Top Tourist Places to Visit in Mtwara, Tanzania, East Africa, Africa

Mtwara is a city and the administrative centre of Mtwara Region in the African country, Tanzania. It is located in the southeastern part of the country, between 10°16′25″ S latitude and 40°10′58″ E longitude, around 570 km south of Dar es Salaam, the largest city of Tanzania. Mtwara is home to the soccer club Bandari F.C and the city also houses numerous bars and clubs that get crowded during the evening by both locals and visitors. Among tourists, Mtwara is famous as a great diving spot that can be enjoyed at Mikindani Bay and also many travel agencies in the city offer excellent eco tours for visitors.

How to get Mtwara?

Mtwara is well connected to the commercial centre of the country Dar es Salaam by scheduled flight services, catered by Air Tanzania, Precision Air and Tropical Air. The distance of 7 km from the airport to Mtwara can easily be crossed by minibuses and taxis.

Buses are regular between Mtwara and Dar es Salaam that will be around 8 hours journey. Taxis, Tuktuks and motorbike taxis are the prevalent options to get around Mtwara. Bicycle can also be used that is available for rent at the market for 2000-3000/day.

Food and Shopping in Mtwara:

Mtwara Market near the bus stand is a great point to bag some local clothes and traditional medicines at affordable prices. Some modern shops in Mtwara include:

Ray shop
Makonde Mini Mart
Carving Stand

List of the major restaurants in Mtwara include:

Korosho Lodge
Msemo
Dubai Restraunt

Things to do in Mtwara:

Scuba diving
Ayayoru Tours
Dive safaris
Visiting villages

Places to see in Mtwara:

Mikindani Bay beaches:

The Mikindani Bay beaches are the first preference of tourists visiting the city Mikindani. Beaches are excellent in condition, offering an amazing diving experience and are located towards the north of Mtwara.

eco2 Dive Centre:

Situated on Mnaida Street in Mikindani, around 20 minute taxi drive from Mtwara, the eco2 Dive Centre is recognized as the southern Tanzania’s first marine research, diving and education centre. This fabulous diving centre was opened in 2004 and offers unforgettable scuba diving and dive safaris.

Ayayoru Carvings and Tours:

The Ayayoru Carvings and Tours is a recommended tour operator in Mtwara, who conducts a wide range of day tours like Mikindani town historical tour, Makonde dance shows and Mnazi Bay Marine Park trips.

Mtwara Airport:

The Mtwara Airport is a nice and well built airport serving Mtwara City, situated around 7 km away from the city centre. Apart from travelers, the airport also receives visitors for its pleasant surroundings.

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

Selous Game Reserve
Lukuledi River
Kilwa Kisiwani
Kilwa Kivinji
Mikumi National Park
Beaches of Dar es Salaam
Makumbusho Village Museum
Dar Es Salaam Botanical Garden
Benjamin William Mkapa Pension Tower
Azania Front Lutheran Church
Kilwa Masoko Airport
Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve

Best time to visit Mtwara:

Mtwara is a year round destination, although the tour of can be experienced best between June and October.

Accommodation options in Mtwara:

There are hotels limited in number in Mtwara, so visitors are advised to reach nearby Lindi’s hotels or hotels near Selous Game Reserve that are cost effective and also good in facility and services. Hotels in Mtwara and its nearby areas are as follows: