Attractions

Iringa Region has some world famous natural attractions. The following are some of attraction you may be interested in visiting while you are in Iringa:

Ruaha and Udzungwa National Park & Game Reserves

• Iringa is also a gateway to a very famous Tanzania’s National Parks and Game Reserves. Ruaha National Park is remote, large, and full of wildlife especially elephants. There are also lions, cheetah, leopard, lots of kudu and almost every other African mammal you might like to see. There are several reputable Safari & Tour companies in Iringa town which offer day or overnight trips to these parks. Alternatively, you can take a bus or taxi to Tungamalenga village which is 15 km from the park gate and there are several lodges and camps on the park perimeter which also can arrange game drives into the park.

Gangilonga Rock

•  This interesting rock is located within Iringa Municipal and gives you great view of Iringa town. To visit Gangilonga rock you may just walk through the suburb of Gangilonga area. In the past, this rock was used by Mkwawa and his soldiers to monitor the German movements. There is now tourist facilities at the site and a full time security guard to protect visitors from robbery.

Commonwealth Grave Yard

•  Iringa was captured by the British in 1916 and many of the soldiers who died from the battle were buried in the Commonwealth Grave Yard. There are both German and British graves as well as the graves for local residents and administrators who died between 1930’s – 1960’s. These graves  mark an important part of Iringa town’s history.

Isimila Stone Age Site

•  The Isimila Stone Age site is an archeological artifacts site located 20 km southwest of Iringa town and approximately 3 km off the TANZAM Highway. There you will see, particularly stone tools which were used by humans more than 70,000 years ago. It is believed that this site’s artifacts date back to the Achuelian period (1.5 million to 200,000 years ago). There is a static display of recovered Stone Age tools including hand axes and cleavers. You may use daladala or taxi to access this historical site.

Kalenga Village & Museum

•  At Kalenga, you may be able to see Chief Mkwawa’s skull which was finally returned by the Germans in 1954, following a stipulated return in the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. You can see the remnants of Mkwawa’s fort which was destroyed by the Germans with artillery from Tosamaganga. Please note that there is a 20,000 TSH fee for non-Tanzanian residents to see this museum (Mkwawa’s Skull).

Chief Mkwawa’s skull at Kalenga

Matumaini Women’s Centre

• It is a center located within Iringa Municipal  in  theSaba Saba area, along Uhuru Avenue (Dodoma Road). It provides support to young, single mothers by providing education and vocational training in order to empower these mothers to be financially independent. These mothers are happy to welcome and proudly tell you about their work. You may access this center by taking a daladala to Kihesa-Kilolo or Mkimbizi from main bus stop in City Centre. Remember to get off at Saba Saba station!

Neema Crafts Centre

• Neema Crafts Centre is a great place to visit for your dining, shopping and accommodation needs.

Rock Paintings at Igeleke

•  These are Iron age painting which were made by Bantu people who are believed migrated from South Africa many years ago. Many tools, pottery shards and bones have been discovered in this site.  Igeleke site is located 5 km from city center off Pan-African Highway (or Iringa – Dodoma Highway). You may access this site by taking a Kihesa-Kilolo daladala from main bus stop. After you get off the daladala,  you will have to walk past Igeleke Primary School or Valentine Conference Center. There may be fee for entering this site, but don’t miss its historical value.