Northeastern Tanzania - Tanzania - page 266

Another easy walk: head north out of Lushoto along the road running
between the Catholic and Anglican churches. After about five minutes, bear
sharply left and start climbing, following the road past scattered houses and
small farm plots. About 35 minutes further on is the royal village of Kwembago
, the traditional seat of the local Sambaa chief and notable for its large open
field and handful of old double-storey, balconied houses. Continue uphill, bear
right at the junction, and follow the path around and then down again to the oth-
er side of the Lushoto valley, where it joins with the tarmac road leading to
Migambo. For a longer variant, head left at the large junction after Kwembago,
and follow footpaths steeply down to the former mission hospital station of
Bumbuli , where you can find transport back to Lushoto via Soni. From Bum-
buli, it's a scenic, gentle climb up and into the cool Mazumbai Forest Reserve
, which at its higher levels protects patches of dense upper montane forest.
There's also a lovely three- to four-day hike that you can do from Lushoto to
Mtae through stands of pine and past cornfields, villages and patches of wild
asters, a six-day walk to Amani Nature Reserve, plus many other possibilities.
The tourist information centres have wall maps detailing some of the routes.
Surrounding villages where accommodation is available include Bumbuli (with
rooms at the old Lutheran mission hospital guesthouse), Lukozi (local guest-
house rooms), Rangwi (basic rooms in a lovely setting at the local convent),
Mtae (local guesthouses or Mambo View Point Lodge; see Click here ) and
Mlalo (local guesthouses or the nearby Lutheran mission).
SLEEPING & EATING
IN & NEAR TOWN
St Eugene's Hostel GUESTHOUSE $
( 027-264 0055, 0784-523710, 0763-623210; www.steugeneshostel.com ;s/tw/tr/ste
US$25/45/ 54/60; ) This quiet place has spacious, good-value rooms, all with hot
showers, balconies and views over the hills and surrounding gardens. It's run by the Usam-
bara Sisters and profits go to support their work with local children, including a school on
the premises. Delicious meals are served, and homemade cheese and jam are available for
sale. St Eugene's is along the main road about 3.5km before Lushoto, on the left coming
from Soni. Ask the bus driver to drop you at the Montessori Centre.
Tumaini Hostel HOSTEL $