Iringa

About Iringa

Iringa sits high in Tanzania's southern highlands at around 1,600 meters, giving it a noticeably cooler, drier climate than the coast or the northern safari circuit. The town grew around a German colonial fort built after fierce resistance from the local Hehe people under Chief Mkwawa, whose skull was eventually returned to Tanzania from Germany decades after his death, a story still told locally with pride.

What to Expect

Iringa's old town retains a scattering of colonial-era buildings and a busy central market, while the surrounding highlands are given over to maize and vegetable farming that supplies much of southern Tanzania. Most travelers use Iringa as a stopover rather than a destination in its own right.

Best Time to Visit

The dry season from May to October is the most comfortable time to explore the town and surrounding highlands, avoiding the heavier rains of the wet season.

Getting to Iringa

Iringa sits directly on the main road route to Ruaha National Park, making it a natural overnight stop for travelers driving to or from the southern circuit.

Combine With: Iringa is best treated as a one-night stopover rather than a destination in its own right, breaking up the long drive to or from Ruaha National Park and giving travelers a chance to explore the nearby Isimila Stone Age Site along the way.

Highland Character

The town's cooler climate supports a different rhythm of life than the safari plains below, visible in its produce markets stocked with temperate vegetables rarely seen elsewhere in Tanzania. A handful of well-preserved German colonial buildings around the old town center are worth a short walk if time allows before continuing on.

The surrounding Iringa region is also known for producing some of Tanzania's best beef and dairy, a reflection of the cooler pastures at this elevation, and local markets are worth a browse for produce rarely seen on the warmer safari plains.