Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If you're driving, head west 18km from Songea along the Mbinga road to the signposted
turn-off, from where it's 120km further on an unpaved but good road to the Mozambique
border. See
Click here
for more information.
Tunduru
Tunduru, halfway between Masasi and Songea, is in the centre of an important gemstone-
mining region, with a bit of a Wild West feel. The town is also a truck and transit stop, and
you're likely to need to spend the night here if travelling between Masasi and Songea.
Adela Guest House & Hotel
(r Tsh15,000-20,000, without bathroom Tsh10,000) is the
best bet in town, with small, clean, modern rooms, and meals with advance notice. It's one
block north of the main road; coming from Songea and the bus stand, turn left just before
reaching NMB bank (across the street). Go down one block and turn left again. Adela is on
your right.
Nyololo Guest House
(r Tsh10,000-12,000) , on the main road about 100m east of the
bus stand, has clean, no-frills rooms.
There are many local eateries, including
Amazonas
(meals from Tsh2000) diagonally
opposite Nyololo Guest House, and
Camp David Pub
(meals from Tsh2000), a few streets
behind.
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Bus
There's at least one bus daily between Tunduru and Masasi, departing by 6am (Tsh10,000,
five hours) and a daily bus direct from Tunduru to Dar es Salaam (Tsh35,000). Between
Tunduru and Songea, there's also daily transport in the dry season (Tsh15,000, seven to
eight hours). In both directions from Tunduru, there is little en route, so bring food and wa-
ter with you. Reserve a seat for onward travel when you arrive in Tunduru for rainy season
travel, as vehicles fill up quickly.
Car & Motorcycle
The road from Tunduru in either direction is unpaved but easily passable in the dry season,
somewhat more challenging (especially between Tunduru and Songea) during the rains.
Ask locally for an update. Heading east, the tarmac currently starts about 55km before
Masasi, and large sections in both directions from Tunduru are being prepared for pav-
ing. En route, in Namtumbo village (about 70km east of Songea), is
New Faraja Villa
(
0768-180270; r Tsh10,000-15,000) , signposted off the main road at the western end
of town. Rooms are clean, with hot bucket showers, there are meals and, sometimes, gen-
erator power. Just east, in the town centre, is the unmissable Ushoroba Pub on the north
