Location: Iringa
Top Things to do in Iringa
- 1. Ruaha National Park
- 2. Chabo Africa Safaris
- 3. Isimila Stone Age Site
- 4. Neema Crafts
- 5. Iringa Boma - Regional Museum and Cultural Centre
- 6. Tatanca Safari & Tours
- 7. ExperienceLilinga Cultural Tourism program
- 8. Ligereke Rock Paintings
- 9. Gangilonga Rock
- 10. Ruaha Cultural Tourism - Private Tours
The 10 Best Things to Do in Iringa, Tanzania
Iringa is a region in Tanzania with a population of 112,900 (as of 2004). It is situated at a latitude of 7.77°S and longitude of 35.69°E. The name is derived from the Hehe word lilinga, meaning fort.
Restaurants in Iringa
1. Ruaha National Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By DilluManchester - Manchester
Booked a three day safari by road from Dar with Bushroutes who i had used in 2013 for the Selous Game Reseve. The trip started at 4 a.m with a pick up by our driver/guide Marcelino. The drive through Morogoro region , past Mikumi and Iringa is on Tarmac road. From Iringa to Ruaha is initially Tarmac and then a bumpy non Tarmac stretch. The journey took 14 hours in total with arrival at the park at 6 p.m. (a couple of stops for refreshment and a traffic police stop also).On our way to our accommodation in the new Bandas we saw Hippos, crocodile and a family of elephants. The new Bandas have 2 single beds with Mosquito nets and an adjoining shower/toilet room. They get very warm and there is no fan to cool down. The game drive the following day was slightly disappointing as we saw one large group of Buffalo and one large family of Elephants. Lots of Impala, baboons, Zebras, Giraffe, an Ostrich family, the odd Kudu and a pair of Hyenas. The following morning on our way out of the park we saw a group of 5 lions. The reputation of this park is on the large groups of lions, Buffalo and Elephants, i guess we were unlucky. The return journey was again 14 hours with a traffic jam in the Mbezi area at 10p.m !! It is no wonder that flying in and out is recommended but the cost then triples to what we paid.
2. Chabo Africa Safaris
Overall Ratings
5 based on 51 reviews
Southern Tanzania is glorious and off the beaten track, away from the crowds of tourists and the sound of other safari vehicles. Here you will find wildlife undisturbed by human interaction in a place where time has stood still....The Heart of Africa With Chabo, you will travel with guides who have combined experience of 25 years in the safari business. We organize your complete safari package including transport, accommodation, guide, cooks and Porters. We can explore all of Southern Tanzania's outstanding parks with you. with one of four big cheetah populations left in East Africa as well as one-tenth of all the lions left in Sub-Saharan Africa and supporting the third largest population of African wild dogs, Southern Tanzania is unforgettable!
Reviewed By Manueli_Vera - Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
After looking up many Safari Companies we decided to go with Chabo Africa to Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha Nationalpark - and it was the best choice! Our guide was Serafino and he was just excellent; he had a hugh knowledge, could answer every question....MoreThank you so much for the safari appreciation and a good review. As a team of Chabo Africa Safari we will continue to improve our services
3. Isimila Stone Age Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By kevinsill - Seattle, Washington
The stone tools were OK, but not very exciting. But it does give one pause when realizing their age. The real attraction is walking among the interesting geology. The guide was very helpful in explaining the plants, animals and history of the area. The road to the site was very rough. I was suprised our taxi was able to navigate it. It really should be visited if you are in the area.
4. Neema Crafts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Denise P - Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
We got a free tour through their premises and saw all their employees and their working places! We were shown all the different departments which was very interesting! Also their store has really nice crafts for reasonable prices as everything is handmade!
Great idea and lovely people!!
5. Iringa Boma - Regional Museum and Cultural Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Located in the heart of Iringa in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, Iringa Boma is a place for education, participation and recreation. Boma is a Swahili word for fortification, perfectly describing the Centre as a stronghold of culture and heritage in the Region. It offers various opportunities to engage with culture and heritage in Iringa, for people from within and from outside the region. The Boma in one of the oldest remaining buildings in Iringa, constructed around 1900 by the German colonial regime to serve as a military hospital. German colonial architecture combined African, Swahili and European styles. After the First World War the British made it their regional administrative centre. From Tanzania’s independence in 1961 until 2014 it was in use as Regional and District administration office offering civil services. Beginning in 2014, the building was completely renovated and restored to its original design. It re-opened in 2016 as a regional museum and cultural centre. THE EXHIBITION The exhibition consist of 5 rooms with different themes: Room 1 – History of Iringa Room 2 – Worship and Healing in Iringa Room 3 – Cultures of Iringa Room 4 – Interactive Display Room 5 – Explore Iringa Region OTHER SERVICES Conference/boardroom hire Boma Cafe - snacks and beverages Iringa Town guided tours Innovation space for cultural events and activities
Reviewed By triciab1945 - Portland, Oregon
This is a little gem has five rooms with well captioned displays on the region. It is well maintained in a beautiful historic building that was restored in 2016. The staff is friendly and helpful. In the same building is a terrific cafe and one...MoreHello triciab1945! Thank you for the visit and the comments. We are honored to welcome you again.
6. Tatanca Safari & Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By opentechgirl - Iringa, Tanzania
Tatanca offers an interesting and affordable ($10) historical walking tour of Iringa Town, which gives you insight to the tribal background as well as the colonial eras of German & British. You will have great insight to the Southern Highlands and the historical events which shaped it and its people. You are accompanied by a elderly Hehe gentleman who gives you many stories to remember
7. ExperienceLilinga Cultural Tourism program
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
ExperienceLilinga Cultural Tourism Program is the only cultural tourism program in Iringa town, established by tourism students from University of Iringa and Iringa community. The program will present a remarkable tour through Iringa town, Isimila Pillars and Stone Age Site...and after that a typical village life experience at Mkoga village. Karibu sana!
Reviewed By Isa192 - Goettingen, Germany
Me and some friends did a tour to the top of Gangilonga Rock and we really enjoyed it. Denis, our guide, also gave us a lot of background information about Iringa, the local culture and Tanzania in general. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to do the other tours but if I ever come back to Iringa I would always book a tour with ExperienceLilinga again.
8. Ligereke Rock Paintings
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Alex S - Brussels, Belgium
We followed the instructions in the lonely planet and walked quite far out of town towards Bwawani. We got a bit lost and someone kindly pointed us on the right way pointing at a massive boulder on a nearby hilltop. We clambered up the hill pushing past trees and climbing over rocks(there's an easier path from the other side of the hill which we found out later). At the top is a huge boulder with rock art at the bottom of it. There's a nice view from nearby. A local said that they receive quite a few visitors a week and that they're currently building a post to help tourists find the place. It was cool seeing such old paintings in their natural setting.
9. Gangilonga Rock
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 14 reviews
10. Ruaha Cultural Tourism - Private Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Come visit us for your next cultural experience! Whether it's herding cattle with Maasai warriors, discovering a Maasai Boma in the bushlands, learning skills with local Hehe craftsmen its all here with Ruaha Cultural Tours. Book your tour today for your next Tanzanian Adventure!
Reviewed By Bijou1946 - Denver, Colorado
If you would like to experience the incredibly unique life and culture of the Masai tribe without the crowds of Northern Tanzania, make sure to make a visit to Ruaha Culture Tourism (possibly coupled with a safari to Ruaha National ParK!) a priority during your trip to Tanzania. With many tour options available at good prices, you can spend anywhere from an hour with the tribe to an overnight visit to really get a sense on how this traditional tribe lives out their daily lives in gorgeous rural Tanzania. Make sure you pick an option that includes dancing! There is nothing more fun than being able to participate in tribal music and dancing with local people. I had a blast on this tour and recommend it to everybody!
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