The agricultural capital of southwestern Tanzania, Mbeya is surrounded by vast green spaces. This peaceful city in the heart of the Highlands represents a crossroads and a mandatory passage on the route towards Zambia and Malawi. Whether you travel by car or train, it's the only major city between Iringa, Malawi and Zambia. Located at approximately 1,700 meters altitude, it enchants you from afar with mountains and volcanoes that flirt with peaks reaching up to 3,000 meters.

The region was the scene of intense volcanic and seismic activity, which resulted in the presence of numerous craters, gorges and deep valleys.

On site, you won't miss visiting coffee plantations, renowned for producing the best coffee in the country. Tea and bananas are also cultivated here. But it's the natural parks surrounding Mbeya that make it a perfect destination for tourists seeking a peaceful place to relax.

History

As early as 1905, the region experienced a gold rush. This led to the creation of a mining town in 1927, which allowed for the centralization of services.

Mbeya served as a supply center for the city of Lupa, a place of attraction for gold seekers. The official creation of the Mbeya region took place after independence was achieved in 1961.

In 1970, China contributed to the economic development of the emerging region by financing the construction of a railway for 500 million dollars. This line is 1,860 kilometers long and connects Tanzania to Zambia. In 1973, the Tanzam highway was created. This is a highway of nearly 921 kilometers designed primarily to open up Tanzania.

What to do and see in the region?

Hiking and forest walks

Mbeya is known as the best place in Tanzania for hiking and forest walks. Thanks to its cool climate, adventurers can pleasantly traverse well-defined trails that have been established to reach elevated areas and observe rich biodiversity.

Visit to Kitulo National Park

Botany enthusiasts will be invited to visit Kitulo National Park, which is known by the nickname "the Serengeti of flowers". If you visit during the rainy season, from November to April, you'll admire flowers blooming with truly wonderful landscapes. Those who have witnessed this spectacle even claim it's the most beautiful botanical garden in the world.

Escape to Matema beach

For those seeking a more beach-oriented adventure, Matema beach is an excellent choice. You can simply take a local bus or rent a private car to get there. You travel along a winding road crossing the Livingstone mountains and tea plantations before gently descending to the tropical shores of Lake Nyassa. This beach ranks among the most picturesque and attractive tourist sites in the country. A beautiful place to take a canoe ride with fishermen to a nearby small village where pottery is a main occupation for women. Rocky underwater depths ideal for diving and a magnificent waterfall await you there. Matema beach is a stretch of the lake where you can appreciate the horizon and clear water inviting visitors to observe exotic fish, surf and other water sports.

The Mbozi Meteorite

About sixty kilometers from the city of Mbeya, you can admire one of the largest meteorites in the world, namely the Mbozi meteorite. This has been known for centuries by the inhabitants who call it Kimwondo. But the official discovery dates back to 1930, when only the summit was visible. It is surrounded by a hollowed-out hill, leaving a ground plan reinforced with concrete to serve as a base for the meteorite. Of irregular shape, this fragment of extraterrestrial matter never ceases to amaze visitors with its weight of approximately 12 tons.

Local gastronomy

You won't miss out on an unforgettable culinary experience during your stay in Mbeya. Visit local restaurants to taste, among others, uji, a very simple dish made from hulled cereals or transformed into flour or semolina and cooked in milk. You can enjoy nyama choma, a marinade of spiced meat grilled on a barbecue, and samosas. Seafood dishes are also unmissable: lobsters, octopus, shrimp…

From Dar es Salaam, you can reach Mbeya by bus, which takes approximately 16 hours and 20 minutes. It's the most economical means. The faster solution is to take a flight for only 2 hours and 30 minutes. For a longer journey, it's also possible to travel by train. The journey takes 28 hours and 41 minutes.