Lushoto Country 2025 & Other Interesting Things to Know About This Tanzanian Town

Lushoto Altitude

The town of Lushoto is approximately 1,400 meters above sea level.

Have you ever been to Lushoto Tanzania? Do you know where Lushoto is?

Perhaps let me begin this post by telling you more about that.

Where Is Lushoto Town (Lushoto Country)?

Lushoto is the name of both a town and a district, located in Tanzania’s northernmost coastal region, Tanga.

Although the region of Tanga borders the Indian Ocean, Lushoto lies further inland, nestled in the scenic Usambara Mountains (see the map below).

Lushoto Tanzania Map

Map of Lushoto country relative to Tanzania and the world

In my last Instagram recap post, I told you how I ended up in Lushoto Tanzania: my mother was turning 71, and since she’d been saying for a while that she was yearning to travel, I suggested we do just that for her birthday.

My original plan was to take her to Saadani National Park , which is beautiful and only a few hours away from Dar es Salaam, but she told me that she wasn’t quite in the mood for water and wildlife. Instead, she wanted to do something physical.

I suggested, “How about we go to Lushoto and hike in the Usambara Mountains? She replied, “Now that sounds like a plan!”

So that’s what we did and we had a great time.

Today, I’d like to share some photos from that trip with you. They are all from my Instagram gallery from within the past month. I’ve selected only the best ones (according to my Instagram followers) to share with you today.

I hope you like them! 🙂

Nos. 10–8: Sunset at Irente View Point, Lushoto Tanzania

Silhouette of a man at Sunset, Irente View Point, Tanga, Lushoto Tanzania

Before the sun went down fully, it gave off a most intense golden light. I told you the last picture (the second one after this one in this post) was not even a beginning.

Personally, this was the MOST beautiful sunset I had EVER seen.

Tanga Tanzania Photos: Charles and I at Sunset, Irente Viewpoint

It looks like a lovers’ scene….but it’s not. Just me and our tour guide, Charles, taking in a most gorgeous sunset.

Tanga Tanzania Photos: Sunset at Irente View Point, Lushoto

We sat at Irente View Point for about an hour and a half waiting for the sun to go down completely. I am sooooooooooo glad we did. This wasn’t even a beginning.

No. 7: The View at Breakfast, Irente Farm Lodge, Lushoto Tansania

Tanga Tanzania Photos: The view from breakfast, Irente Farm Lodge, Lushoto

The view from my breakfast table at Irente Farm Lodge, Lushoto Tanzania. The breakfast itself was also amazing: fresh bread, homemade jams, cheese made on the farm, and lots of fresh produce straight from the garden. I’d go back just for this view and the great breakfast!

Tanga Lushoto Photos Nos. 6—3: The Drive to Lushoto Tanga Tanzania

Night begins to fall over the Usambara Mountains, Lushoto, Tanzania.

The real new part of the journey, for me, started once we turned off the main highway to Arusha onto the road that leads to Tanga and Korogwe. I had heard lots about Korogwe because I have close friends who are from there or partially from there, but no one had ever mentioned its beauty to me: winding roads through hills, beautiful skies, and distinct little red flowers that I saw only there. Korogwe was the beautiful calm before the treacherous storm of the tortuous, torturous mountain road to Lushoto.

The broody Usambara Mountains. And if you only knew what wind there was at this point!

At some point, I got out of the car to take a picture and the wind was blowing so hard I could hardly hold my phone in one place.

READ ALSO: 8 Best Hotels in Rwanda Kigali

Shortly after we left Korogwe, we began to see the Usambara Mountains.

Tanzania Lushoto Photos No. 2: The View from Irente View Point Before Sunset (and Lushoto Altitude)

The view from Irente View Point where you can get a sense of Lushoto altitude

Part of the view from Irente View Point in the Usambara Mountains, Lushoto, Tanzania. Altitude: 1,450 m above sea level and 800 m above the land below.

Tanga, Tanzania Photos No. 1: Driving Through the Usambara Mountains

Sunset, Driving through the Usambara Mountains, Tanga

Approaching Lushoto. Driving through the Usambara Mountains at sunset.

Wow, all I can say is I truly enjoyed this trip to Lushoto. I had been wanting to visit Lushoto for over 8 years, and I regret that it took me so long to do so.

I had no clue what I was missing!

Lushoto is not a Tanzanian travel destination that you often hear about in or outside Tanzania.

After all, it has to compete with the Serengeti, Zanzibar, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Mt. Kilimanjaro just to name a few that are also located in the same country.Still, it’s a beautiful place to visit and I recommend that you do so, if ever you get a chance.I had no idea just how much I enjoyed mountainous environments until this trip, and you might find that you are the same way.

Tips for Visiting Irente View Point

Many of these pictures were taken at Irente View Point, which is not to miss if ever you are in Lushoto.

You can hike to Irente View Point starting from several destinations in the area depending on how long and/or taxing you want your hike to be.

For those who are not really into hiking, you can also drive/take a motorcycle taxi as far as the road will allow and then only walk the last three-minutes-or-so to the escarpment.

It doesn’t have to be a physically taxing experience.

Whatever the case, don’t miss it.

And if you go, I encourage you to do so around sunset and to stay until the sun goes completely down.

Just when you think it can’t get any better, it does.

At least, that was my experience.

Have you ever been to Lushoto?

If so, have you ever been to any of the places mentioned in this post?

If yes, I’d love to hear all about it.

What were your experiences in Lushoto like?

Please let me know by leaving me a comment below.

Any advice for would-be travelers to the area?

Until the next time,
Biche

Tanga to Lushoto

Lushoto is located in Tanga region.

The distance between Tanga town and Lushoto, as the crow flies, is 97 kilometers, but as this direct distance is measured along a straight line that passes though the East Usambara Mountains, the actual driving distance between Tanga and Lushoto is quite a bit longer.

The driving distance between Tanga town and Lushoto is 168 km, which takes about three hours to drive and is quite a scenic drive.

Things to Do in Lushoto

Here are updated and accurate highlights of things to do around Lushoto:

Top Hiking & Viewpoint Trails

Irente Viewpoint & Magamba Forest
A full-day (20 km, ~7–8 hrs) hike combining panoramic views over the Maasai Plains with a walk through Magamba’s rainforest, home to black‐and‐white Colobus monkeys and German colonial relics.
Bangala River Valley & Kisasa/Mkuzi Waterfalls
Walk through farmland into Maasai country, visit irrigation schemes, and enjoy either Kisasa Falls (no swimming) or swim-friendly Mkuzi Falls (~4–6 hrs).
Growing Rock (Kwamongo Peak)
Enjoy butterfly-filled trails from Soni through Shashui/Kwemula to Kwamongo Peak, with return via Soni Falls—great for views, culture, and nature.
Jiwe la Mungu & Ndelemai / Shagayu Forests
Scenic ~10 km trails visiting cable-system ruins, dense rainforest hotspots for chameleons and endemic birds.

Waterfall Escapes

Soni Waterfalls (~17 km from Lushoto)
Peaceful, less-touristed waterfall—perfect after visiting the colorful Soni market.
Kisasa & Mkuzi Waterfalls
Kisasa (no swimming), Mkuzi (swimmable), surrounded by lush forest and wildlife.

Cultural & Village Tours

Shambaa Cooking Class
Learn traditional Shambaa cooking in a family home, sampling local produce and recipes.
Local Markets
Lushoto’s Thursday/Sunday markets are buzzing with fresh produce, crafts, and cultural interactions—best with a guide.
Cultural Village Walks
Explore Shambaa life—pottery at Kilieti, coffee/tea farms, knife-making, schools (e.g. Irente School for the Blind).

Specialty Tours & Wildlife

Sakharani Wine or Spice Tours
Day hikes from Soni through coffee/spice farms, sampling Usambara wine or farm-grown spices, combined with a visit to Soni Falls.
Birdwatching & Chameleon Spotting
Guided tours spotting endemic species like Usambara Weaver, Eagle‑owl, akalat, plus vibrant chameleons.

Town Experiences & Heritage

Lushoto Town & Colonial Heritage
Guided exploration of German-era buildings, colonial administration architecture, and the old Boma.
Montessori Sisters of Ubiri / Cheese & Jam
Short walk to a hilltop mission for locally made cheese, wine, coffee, and jam tasting.
Jua Zuri Homestay or Uvi/Müller’s Lodges
According to locals, reputable accommodations include Jua Zuri ($60 full board), Uvi House and Müller’s Mountain Lodge.

Multi-Day Treks

Lushoto → Mtae / Mambo Village
Popular 3–4 day trek through villages, rainforests, waterfalls; ideal for immersive culture and epic viewpoints.
Lushoto → Mazumbai / Shagayu Reserves
Multi-day hikes with accommodation in forest villages to explore biodiversity hotspots.

Quick Tips

Use a certified local guide from Friends of Usambara or tourist centre (~USD 35/day).
Expect entrance fees: Irente, Kisasa, Magamba each ~10 000 TZS or USD 10–15.
Bring cash, especially for village shops, homestays, and tips .
Overnight treks often include slack‑packing, luggage transfer plus forest-side lodges.

Tailor Your Visit

If You Have…	Recommended Activities
One day	Irente + Magamba or Growing Rock + Soni Falls
2–3 days	Add Bangala/Kisasa Falls and Shambaa cultural tour
4+ days	Do Mtae/Mazumbai multi-day trek or Mkomazi safari

Tanga to Dar es Salaam

The drive from Tanga to Dar es Salaam is 346.6 km long and takes about 5.5 hours to complete.

It is possible to fly from Tanga to Dar es Salaam–though they are no direct flights. The flight duration is 1-2 hours depending on the carrier you are flying with.

Most flights between Tanga and Dar es Salaam transit through Zanzibar.

Tanga Tanzania Photos

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Photo Credits: Nature Bound Africa, Daily News, Booking.com, Wikimapia