Travel Guide Lushoto

This large town nestles at the bottom of a valley that has often been called the Switzerland of Tanzania, due to its greenery and the torrents that flow down it. It was once considered as the capital of Deutsh Ostafrika, as its climate strongly resembled a temperate European climate. The Germans built a number of administrative buildings and homes here. A few large farms, taken over by Tanzanians, still stand in the vicinity. Some German families still live in the country, running a school. The British have also been here for some time. Visit the Anglican church if it's open. From Lushoto, many interesting walks are possible, from 4 to 6 hours round trip. These include the viewpoints of Irente, Kambe and Kwa Mkeke. From up there, the view is far-reaching, with glimpses of the Maasai steppes. The villages of Vuli and Kwembago offer another, more cultural, option. You can also visit the Catholic mission of Ubiri, where the nuns make local cheese, wine and ham, as well as local farms, nurseries, healers and potters, and see colobus, vervet and chameleons in the Magamba forest. From Soni, you can go to Kwa Mongo, whose summit is home to numerous butterflies (Butterfly Peak). Multi-day hikes allow you to make all these visits and also reach some of the historic German settlements, such as Mtae and the Bumbuli mission, as well as the bird-rich Masumbai Forest Reserve. It's a great introduction to adventure, off the beaten track.