Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From Iringa, it's a straight shot down the highway to
Mbeya
, with stops en route at the
lovely
Kisolanza
, just off the main highway, or at scenic
Mufindi
, with its tea plantations.
Both merit at least several days for relaxing and exploring.
While Mbeya town is not as amenable as Iringa, there is plenty to do in the surrounding
area, including hiking around
Tukuyu
or canoeing, exploring and hiking around
Matema
, with its picturesque beach.
Taking your time, and exploring the various detours en route, it would be easy enough to
spend the first three weeks of your itinerary up to this point. With the remaining time, you
could return the way you came, with time left over at the end for a short stay on
Zanzibar
or
Mafia
islands.
If you've kept a brisker pace, omitting detours, you should have time to continue north-
west from Mbeya via
Sumbawanga
to
Katavi National Park
. This park deserves at least
three days, especially in the dry season, when wildlife watching is at its best, although even
a day trip in season can be very rewarding. Double back, and down the escarpment to
Lake
Tanganyika
at
Kipili
for several days relaxing before taking the MV
Liemba
to
Mahale
Mountains National Park
and the chimpanzees, or on to
Kigoma
. Kigoma is an amen-
able stop for several days, and
Gombe National Park
is close by for an overnight. From
Kigoma, take the train, bus or fly back to Dar es Salaam. Alternatively (and with more than
one month), continue overland from Kigoma to
Mwanza
and
Lake Victoria
, from where
you could proceed into the
Serengeti
and on to
Arusha
.
