Nestled at the base of the Uluguru Mountains, Morogoro is a bustling Tanzanian city to the west of Dar es Salaam. It serves as the capital of the Morogoro Region and is an important agricultural hub, while it’s also a base for hikers and wildlife enthusiasts visiting Mikumi National Park.
Things to do in Morogoro
Spend a day exploring the lively streets of Morogoro, which centres around a towering monument built to celebrate Tanzania’s independence. On the outskirts of the city centre is the SUA Botanical Garden, where you can learn about the scientific and conservation projects being conducted at the Sokoine University of Agriculture. Encompassing 48 hectares on the university’s farm, it is planted with species that are of economic and historic significance to Tanzania.
A short drive south of Morogoro is the Choma Waterfall, which cascades into a picturesque pool within the Uluguru Mountains. After a refreshing swim, you can visit the local village to feast on traditional food and learn the art of weaving. Also nearby is the Kinole Waterfall, which tumbles spectacularly down a multi-tiered cliff face.
Morogoro makes a good base for exploring Mikumi National Park, which was established in 1964 around Malundwe Mountain. Its landscape is often compared to the Serengeti, with acacia and baobab trees dotting the grassy plains where more than 400 different bird species have been recorded. Join a guided safari to spot herds of Masai giraffes, elephants and zebras before visiting one of the park’s two hippo pools.
Getting around Morogoro
Dar es Salaam and Julius Nyerere International Airport are around four hours’ drive from Morogoro, with flights to destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East available. Long-distance buses connect to Morogoro and dala dala minivans travel throughout the city. Taxis are readily available for getting around.