Morogoro Town

View of the Uluguru Mountains to the south of the city

 

 

View of Morogoro town from the Uluguru Mountains looking north

I've always just passed through Morogoro town and had not really given it a fair visit. This past weekend we used the town as our base and enjoyed our time in the simultaneously sleepy yet bustling city. Morogoro is known for its rich farming both in the surrounding lowlands and the slopes of the Uluguru Mountains. The mountains provide a stunning backdrop whether they are covered in clouds or towering clearly above the town. 

Morogoro is not a large town with the most hectic area around the large bus terminal and surrounding area. The downtown area reminds me of Iringa where it is actually rather small and navigable but also bustling and full of commerce. The town offers a great base to explore Mikumi National Park as well as hiking the Uluguru Mountains. Apart from that there isn't much going on in and around Morogoro tourism wise though there were far more restaurants and eateries than I expected for such a small place. 

International food is represented well at the Edelwyss-Inn with spectacular views overlooking the town. There is great Indian at the Morogoro Hotel and nice Chinese at Gigas Panda. There are other popular places such as Red Chili, Cafe Mee, Ricky's Cafe, and Mambo Coffee. It makes sense that such a rich agricultural region would have a variety of eateries available and Morogoro punches above its weight. 

There are also a variety of accommodation options available from farmsteads on the outskirts (among them the well regarded Mbuyuni Farm Retreat) to more traditional hotels (Nashera Hotel, Morogoro Hotel) as well as dozens of local guesthouses available at good value.

Morogoro is a pleasant enough place and worth a visit. For backpackers it offers a glimpse into a very average Tanzanian town with some nearby hiking. For expats and residents it can be a fun trip with large properties available for families and relaxing. And for those in transit anywhere along the TANZAM highway, it's a great stopover location.