Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Makambako
Makambako (a stop on the Tazara railway line) is a windy highland town at the junction
where the road from Songea and Njombe meets the Dar es Salaam-Mbeya highway. Geo-
graphically, the area marks the end of the Eastern Arc mountain range and the start of the
Southern Highlands. Makambako is also notable for its large market, which includes an ex-
tensive used-clothes section.
SLEEPING & EATING
Shinkansen Lodge
HOTEL $
( 026-273 0029; Njombe Rd; s/d Tsh25,000/ 35,000; ) A new, whitewashed establish-
ment with modern, good-value rooms but no food. It's located about 300m south of Triple
J Hotel. Look for the Japanese-style entry gate.
Triple J Hotel
GUESTHOUSE $
( 026-273 0475; Njombe Rd; s/d Tsh20,000/ 25,000; ) Clean, small rooms and a res-
taurant with meals from about Tsh4500. It's 800m south of the main junction along the
Njombe road, 700m north of the bus stand and signposted.
Midtown Lodge
GUESTHOUSE $
(r Tsh15,000) Clean rooms with bathroom in varying sizes, and no food, except continental
breakfast. Most rooms have beds big enough for two people. It's about 1½ blocks in from
both the Mbeya and Songea roads, and signposted from both.
GETTING THERE & AWAY
The bus stand is about 1.5km south of the main junction along the Njombe road. The
first bus to Mbeya (Tsh7000, three hours) leaves at 6am, with another bus at 7am. The
first buses (all smaller Coastals) to Njombe (Tsh3000, one hour) and Songea (Tsh12,000,
five hours) depart about 6.30am, and there's a larger bus departing at 6.30am for Iringa
(Tsh7000) and Dar es Salaam.
Njombe
Njombe, about 60km south of Makambako and 235km north of Songea, is a district capital,
regional agricultural centre and home of the Bena people. It would be unmemorable but
for its highly scenic setting on the eastern edge of the Kipengere mountain range at almost
2000m. In addition to giving it the reputation of being Tanzania's coldest town, this perch
provides wide vistas over hills that seem to roll endlessly into the horizon. The surrounding
