Southeastern Tanzania - Tanzania - page 572

NEWALA
Bustling Newala is the major settlement on the plateau. Thanks to its perch at 780m alti-
tude, it offers a pleasantly brisk climate, and views over the Ruvuma River valley and in-
to Mozambique. At the edge of the escarpment on the southwestern side of town is the
old German boma (now the police station) and, nearby, the Shimo la Mungu (Hole of God)
viewpoint. There are numerous paths from the edge of town leading down to the river. If
you plan to do this it's not a bad idea to carry your passport (which you should carry around
anyway in Newala, given its proximity to the border) and arrange a local guide. Bicycles
can be rented near the market.
Sleeping & Eating
Country Lodge Bed & Breakfast GUESTHOUSE $
('Sollo's'; 023-241 0355; www.countrylodgetz.com ; Masasi Rd; s/d Tsh22,000/30,000;
) This long-standing place is the best choice in town. Rooms have bathrooms and the
doubles have two large beds. There's also a decent restaurant, with the usual array of stand-
ard dishes, plus better fare with an advance order. It's about 600m from the bus stand, on
the road to Masasi.
For something cheaper, there are several less-expensive guesthouses in the area around
the market and bus stand, with no-frills rooms sharing a bathroom from about Tsh4000,
and cheap eateries nearby.
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Daily buses run from Newala to Mtwara (via Nanyamba; Tsh6000) and to Masasi
(Tsh4000, 1½ hours). There is usually also at least one vehicle daily between Newala and
Mtama, east of Masasi on the road to Mtwara. The journeys to Masasi and Mtama offer
beautiful views as you wind down the side of the plateau.
MASASI
Masasi, a scruffy district centre and the birthplace of former Tanzanian President Benjamin
Mkapa, stretches out along the main road off the edge of the Makonde Plateau against a
backdrop of granite hills. It's a potentially useful stop if you are travelling to/from Mozam-
bique via the Unity Bridge. The history of the modern settlement dates to the late 19th
century, when the Anglican Universities' Mission to Central Africa (UMCA) came from
Zanzibar to establish a settlement of former slaves here. Today, it's notable primarily as
a transport hub for onward travel along the wild road west towards Tunduru, or north to
Nachingwea and Liwale. About 70km east of Masasi along the Mtwara road is Mahiwa ,