Best Safari tours from Iringa
Best Safari tours from Iringa
Often overlooked by many safari operators in favour of the northern parks, the southern parks of Nyerere National Park (formerly the Selous Game Reserve) and Ruaha National Park are worth serious consideration and are the preferred destination for most who are really keen on their safari.
The benefits of heading to the south is that, where the very north of the Serengeti gives the numbers of game, along with some seclusion, the southern parks are still very much “frontier” parks and so are noticeably less busy (they also feature the same spread of species as the north, but more like a thousand, rather than 2 million).
The second important point is that, where the average lodge cost in the north is around $700 per person per night, the lodges in the south, where they offer a similar experience, are around $2-300 less.
The south and west of Tanzania are often overshadowed by the more famous and iconic Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in the north. Some agents feel that the south and west are better suited to the seasoned safari-goer and don’t recommend them for a first timer – however we would disagree! We have sent thousands of first timers to southern Tanzania where they have had an excellent safari experience.
Ask for a Quote
WhatsApp: +255 759 694 668, email: info@serengetitrips.com or FILL the form below:
Serengeti Trips Tanzania
These tours are arranged by Serengeti TRIPS – which organize tours to all Tanzania National Parks & Holidays in Zanzibar
Welcome to Serengeti trips; For many years we have been planning trips the length and breadth of the Country. The secret to our success?
Our commitment to first-hand knowledge of every destination, lodge and activity we recommend. Collectively, we spend more than 365 days a year on safari to ensure you get the best, unbiased advice.
How to get to Iringa?
Plane
Nduli/Iringa Airport serves the Iringa region and is located about 15-20 minutes north of downtown. Auric Air is the sole carrier at the airport, operating twice daily flights to and from Dar es Salaam. They have an office in Iringa, close to the Clocktower Roundabout. Reservations are accepted online, via email, or in person at the office.
Bus
Iringa is located on the Tanzam highway and is an important stop for many intercity buses. There are two bus stations. The main bus station is opposite the sokoni (market). Buses to/from Dodoma and the north stop here, as well as buses with their final destination as Iringa.
Iringa Attractions / What to do
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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).
- 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 is a great place to visit for your dining, shopping and accommodation needs.
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.
Where to stay in Iringa
Enjoy your stay in Iringa. Make your visit to Iringa an unforgettable experience by staying in the hotel you deserve. Still don´t know where to stay? we offer you a wide variety of hotels in Iringa, Tanzania, so you can choose the one that´s right for you, depending on your expectations and your budget.
There are numerous hotels in Iringa that are ideal for a business trip, a family holiday, a weekend getaway or an outing with friends in Iringa. No matter the reason for your trip, here, you´ll find the greatest variety of hotels and hostels, always at the best prices, guaranteed. Are you looking for a deluxe hotel in Iringa city centre with a spa, Internet access or a pool? Perhaps a hotel that accepts pets or that has a child-care centre? We have that, too.
Why not give our hotel finder a try? It´s quick, simple and the most effective way to find the best lodging in this part of Tanzania. Whether you need a single-occupancy room, double-occupancy room or even a suite, with our search engine, you´ll always find the best deals, so all you´ll have to worry about is packing your bags and enjoying your trip to Iringa.
Iringa Safari FAQ's
SaiVilla | Greek Club Iringa | Hasty Tasty Too | Neema Crafts | Shooter’s | Haven Holdings Village Cafe and Bookstore | Royal Park Hotel | Boma Cafe Iringa | Neema Crafts Restaurant
The region is host to the Ruaha National Park, famous for its large herd of elephants and over 400 species of birds. Other animals include lions, sable antelopes and kudu. A second park, Udzungwa Mountains National Park in Iringa Rural District, is less visited.
Ruaha National Park
| Ruaha National Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | Tanzania |
| Nearest city | Iringa |
| Coordinates | 7°30′S 35°00′E |
| Area | 20,226 km2 (7,809 sq mi) |
Geologically, the bedrock of the Iringa Region is composed of Precambrian migmatites, granite and Konse group outcrops formed during the late Archean and late Neoproterozoic eras (Harpum, 1970; Harris, 1981; Howell et al., 1962; Kröner, et al., 2001).
Hehe, Bantu-speaking agricultural people occupying the Iringa region of southern Tanzania. Numbering about 192,000 in the late 20th century, the Hehe are a cluster of peoples with similar language and culture.
Iringa’s economy is dependent on agriculture (crop and livestock), lumber production and tourism.
