Towns and Cities of Tanzania

It is not just the mountains, lakes, beaches or islands of Tanzania that is worth a visit. The place is also full of towns and cities filled with activities so as to attract the tourists.?

The coastal towns in Tanzania, chiefly attract merchants travelling via caravans in addition to the people who look to transport their prized merchandise.?

Meanwhile, a number of small towns located in the northern part of the highlands of Tanzania are known to be the place for cultivation and for expatriate administration, as well. At the same time, the towns and cities, here, also have places of cultural or historical value, which pulls in the tourists to them.?

Dar es salaam (C)

We shall begin with one of the biggest cities of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam situated by the quiet coastline of the Indian Ocean, also known to be its commercial centre. This commercial capital city is also one of the thriving centres in the region of East Africa.?

The active quay in the city is also taken as the chief port of Tanzania. Meanwhile, the industrial regions in the city are involved in the manufacture of items, which are exported and even used within the country.??

There are also Government offices with their main offices in addition to political operations and non-governmental organizations set up in this city.?

Having been founded by the Germans, the city during the early twentieth century was the chief point of contact within the Indian Ocean and the Swahili coast for the agricultural mainland and the world of trade and commerce.?

Other places worth mentioning in the city include the National Museum, colourful markets, the varied landmarks of history ranging from the St Joseph’s Cathedral and the white Father’s Mission House to the Old State House as well as the botanical Gardens and such.?

Dodoma (S)

Now, look down to the centre of Tanzania and you can find its official political capital, known as Dodoma. Though it is smaller in size and not as industrialized as Dar es Salaam, this city is the main focus of the national politics of Tanzania.?

Placed on the eastern end of the southern highlands of the country, Dodoma is bordered by agricultural lands and a lovely backdrop.?

Meantime, it is also known as the centre for the growth of the wine industry with the Tanganyika vineyards Company endorsing its merchandise.?

If we take the route normally taken by the caravans, beginning from the islands of the Swahili coast moving towards Lake Tanganyika, we can find the city.?

It was also marked as the chief centre by the Central Line Railway, during the early parts of the twentieth century, for exporting agricultural harvests to the Dar es Salaam port.

Arusha (N)

Known to be the safari capital of Tanzania, Arusha is set underneath the double peaks of Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro.?

Tourists who look to go on the northern safari circuit, will stop at Arusha, considered as the 'Geneva of Africa’ in order to get ready for the journey.? Set near the big national park also placed in the highland, this town is perfect to relax, prior to the start of a safari.

Upright over the town resembling an imposing guard, the intense crater of Mt Meru has thick clouds scattered above as well as shadowy hills profuse with luxuriant forests.?

In the meantime, the town Arusha is also a sluggish town sporting a garrison, located at the old boma as well as some shops.? It was also conferred with the backwater status from all of the farmlands and plantations, located in the northern areas of Tanzania.?

Arusha was also considered to be the main point of Tanzania for setting up diplomacy and international relations.?

Stone Town (C)

Filled with narrow roads and alleys, the stone town has old houses, mosques, opulent palaces, shops and bazaars and such. The places of tourist attraction in this town are the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum as well as the house of Dr. Livingstone.

Most of the buildings in the Stone town are from the 19th century with the main centre of attraction being its magnificent fish market, found in the Forodhani Gardens. At the same time, the neighbouring island known as Pemba becomes the centre for scuba diving. You can also find migrating humpback whales at the island.?

?Moshi (N)

Set up beneath Kilimanjaro, the town is also said to be the coffee manufacturing centre of Tanzania. The area is filled with varied coffee plantations.?

The town also holds seasonal auctions of coffee, with buyers from abroad normally bidding in it. It also gives importance to its sugar plantations, usually situated on the outskirts.?

It also holds ethnic tourism programme consisting of short treks, visits to tribes and villages as well as outings to the crops and coffee farms, in the neighbouring areas.?

They also attract tourists with the mountain climbing expedition to Mt Kilimanjaro, commencing from a town into Kilimanjaro National Park. The scenery that you see, while on the climb is definitely worth a mention.?

Mwanza (NW)

One of the most important harbours in Tanzania, the city of Mwanza is located on Lake Victoria and is popular for its economy.? The lake is said to have the east African town, Uganda to its north west, while Kenya takes the north east.?

In the meantime, the lands in the city support agriculture with it offering plantations of tea, cotton and coffee also delivering huge amounts of cash crops.? With the industrial harbour in place, the city is very crowded.?

In the neighbourhood, you have the Rubondo Island National Park and the western parts of the Serengeti as tourists’ attractions.? Activities offered in the Rubondo Island National Park also include day-hiking and bird watching about the lakeshore.?

Known as the hub for the biggest tribe within Tanzania, the Sukuma tribe, it also promotes Cultural tourism programmes.

Kigoma (W)

Kigoma, set on the eastern coasts of Lake Tanganyika, the chief harbour is also the local capital of the country.? Bordered by rough looking mountains and lush forests, the place is peaceful and has a beautiful backdrop.?

It also got its name as the economic centre of Tanzania.? The town created in the twentieth century is also considered as the last sojourn of the Central Line Railway, used for transfer of agricultural goods between American hinterland and the coast of East Africa.?

Tourist attraction places nearby are the Stream National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park.

?Tabora (W)

Tabora is a sleepy town of the country also considered as the chief centre for transit.?

Meanwhile, the central line railway divides the area moving towards either the Kigoma or Mwanza using the Tabora town, as a stopover junction.?

It was also once a big point for trading, with the caravans making a halt at the area that links Lake Tanganyika and Central Africa to the coastal town of Bagamoyo to the northeast.?

In the meantime, the popular trader of the nineteenth century, Tippu Tip made Tabora the point for trading ivory and slaves. The town is also said to have attracted both Stanley and Livingstone, during their European expeditions.?

Irina (S)

Found near Dodoma and Morogoro, its agricultural centre, the small town Iringa has peaceful streets, while the busy markets portray the out-of-date African culture.?

Situated overlooking the little River, Ruaha, has another tourist spot, the Ruaha National Parks.? Also known to be the centre for colonial administration, Germans had created the town to defend against the warriors of the Hehe tribe.?

One other important spot in town is the Gangilonga Rock, where chief Mkwawa of Hehe tribe called his people to decide on the strategy to attack the Germans.?

The town is also considered to be a site, where the battles of first and second world wars happened. Commonwealth Graves is also said to be situated just in the suburbs.??

?Mbeya (S)

Placed in southern highlands, close to the border of Zambia, the city of Mbeya is one of the biggest agricultural capitals in the southwest area of Tanzania. This city is surrounded by the Mbeya mountains ranges to the north as well as the Poroto mountains ranges to its southeast.?

The town also offers plantations of coffee and tea, banana farms and cocoa fields. Strategically situated, this town is said to be easily accessible by road and rail, be it from Tanzania or places nearby such as Zambia or Malawi.

Rich in minerals, the town brings in investments.? The town is also said to be rich in supply of gold, since its origin in 1930’s, without much strain.?

At the same time, the scenic beauty of the mountains and the pleasing climate are other attractions of the town.?

?Bagamoyo (C)

Situated in the coastline of Tanzania and the main focus for the dhow sailboat building, Bagamoyo is a peaceful village with some of the still existing German Colonial Buildings. It is also said to be among the chief trading posts, located in the coasts of East Africa.?

Meanwhile, the slaves and ivory caravans heading from Lake Tanganiyaka towards Zanzibar may halt at the town.?

Consequently, the missionaries also operate from the Bagamoyo, termed as ‘burn heart’ in Kiswahili to do away with slavery.?

Tanga (C)

Apart from Dar es Salaam, another busy harbour of the country is Tanga that also offers marine export, import, and trade.?

It brings in tourists fascinated with the traditional colonial architecture as well as some Arab houses that are proof of the importance of the region all through the zenith era of Indian Ocean trade.

During the day trip, tourists can spend their time at the fish markets or the beaches, or even the city, where they purchase the items required for their trip to the far-off northern coast beaches.?

Pangani (C)

Considered as the best point for the Swahili trade with the mainland of Africa, the town of Panagi is a quiet backwater area.?

Meantime, Boma, the traditional German administrative continues to exist behind a arcade of tall shade trees and the former prison??????????