Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Azra Supermarket
SUPERMARKET $
(School St) Small but well stocked; just up from Tanesco.
INFORMATION
Dangers & Annoyances
As a major transport junction, Mbeya attracts many transients, particularly in the area
around the bus station. Watch your luggage, don't change money with anyone, only buy
bus tickets in the bus company offices and avoid walking alone through the small valley
behind the station. Also be very wary of anyone presenting themselves as a tourist guide
and don't make tourist arrangements with anyone outside of an office. Bus ticketing scams
abound, especially for cross-border connections. Ignore all touts, no matter how apparently
legitimate, trying to sell you through-tickets to Malawi (especially) or Zambia. Pay the fare
only to the border, and then arrange onward transport from there.
Internet Access
Gazelle Safaris Internet Café
(Jacaranda Rd; per hr Tsh1000;
8.30am-5.30pm Mon-
Fri, 9am-2.30pm Sat) At Gazelle Safaris.
Medical Services
Aga Khan Medical Centre
( 025-250 2043; cnr North & Post Sts;
8am-8pm Mon-
Sat, 9am-2pm Sun) Just north of the market.
Money
CRDB
(Karume Ave) ATM.
NBC
(cnr Karume & Kaunda Aves) Changes cash; ATM.
Stanbic
(Karume Ave) ATM; just up from CRDB.
Tourist Information
Gazelle Safaris
( 025-250 2482, 0784-666600;
www.gazellesafaris.com
; Jacaranda Rd)
An efficient operator that can arrange guides and transport for day tours around Mbeya,
excursions to Kitulo National Park, reliable car rental and safaris further afield, especially
in the southern circuit. It also does domestic and international flight bookings.
Sisi Kwa Sisi
(Station Rd) Near the rhino statue between the market and the bus station,
this sometimes-on, sometimes-off place can occasionally be useful for arranging guides to
local attractions.
