Moshi

The pleasant town of Moshi lies in the foothills of Kilimanjaro, acting as a base for expeditions to reach the summit. Just outside Moshi is Marangu, a pretty, European-looking village with a cool climate and an Alpine feel, surrounded by farmland, with neat rows of cassava, maize, banana trees and coffee plantations being tended by mostly local farmers right up the mountain’s lower slopes. Moshi itself offers an alternative to staying in Arusha, and has a far more laid-back and quieter feel. For those not up to attempting the mountain’s summit, many scenic walks and village community project make Moshi or Marangu a good place to spend a few days in between safaris.