Mbeya is a city in southwestern Tanzania. It is the main transit point for connections to Malawi and Zambia, and the southern access point to Lake Tanganyika.
Buses run from Dar es Salaam and Iringa several times a day. There are buses from Mbeya going to Sumbawanga. From Sumbawanga you can get a bus to Mpanda and Kigoma.
Dalla-dallas (minibuses) and coasters (30-seat buses) run frequently to and from Kyela near the Malawian border and Tunduma on the Zambian border, either ride taking about three hours.
Train service consists of two Tazara Line "express" trains per week connecting Dar Es Salaam and Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia via Mbeya, and one "regular" weekly service between Mbeya and Dar. The train departs Mbeya going to Kapiri Mposhi every Wednesday at 13:00 and Saturday at 14:00. The trip takes around 24 hours. Mbeya railway station 📍 is about 4 km south of the city centre.
The city center is compact, but taxis are a better bet to reach the train and bus stations, or after dark. Dalla-dallas also ply the roads, though they will be difficult to negotiate with luggage.
Lake Ngozi, -9.0079786°, 33.5442452°. The second largest crater lake in Africa, very lush. 2020-07-20
Mbozi Meteorite, -9.0820402°, 32.9951244°, +255763324227. One of the largest meteorites in the world. There is no charge to visit, but you will need your own transportation. 2020-07-20
Kitulo National Park, -9.086366°, 33.9527031°. Protected area of montane grassland and forest on the Kitulo Plateau, known as the "Serengeti of Flowers" or "Bustani ya Mungu" (Swahili for Garden of God) for its flowers, including orchids, geraniums, proteas, and lobelias. Best flower viewing season from Oct-April. Average elevation is . On southwest slope is the Livingstone Forest, home to unique primate, bushbaby, and antelope species. 2020-07-20
Malamba waterfalls, +255 783545464, uyolecte@gmail.com. Malamba waterfalls is one among the impressive waterfalls in Rungwe District Mbeya Region. You can do a day trip in combination of nearby attractions like God's Bridge, the Cooking Pot, and Kisiba Campsite. 2021-05-27
Mbeya is at the foot of Loleza Peak and near Mbeya Peak. At 2656 m and 2820 m respectively, both can be fine day hikes, although an experienced guide should be hired. Guides can be found through many of the travel agencies or better hotels in town.
Jacaranda- Large table set up under the tree at the bottom of the street when you head down from Posta. Ask for Goba, excellent handmade crafts and goods.
Eleganté super market- adjacent to the Camel oil petrol station, at the first traffic light on the main road. has everything one might need.
Mwenjelwa shopping centres- nice options to be found in the weaving back alleys.
Sombrero Hotel has nice restaurant cross the street from the hotel. There are also some reasonable restaurants along south end of Lupa Way, New Appricourt restaurant being one, just opposite to Gazelle safaris.
There are some guesthouses across from the bus station, convenient if you are heading to Malawi the next day. Avoid the travel agencies attached and ignore the many touts in the bus station, as many people have reported scams with transport, and do not trust the bus driver to give you the real destination, but ask other passengers instead.
For those who are travelling through Africa by vehicle, there is a very good garage just out of town on the Zambia road at Mbalizi behind the hospital at Mbalizi vocational training centre, best mechanics in Tanzania according to locals from many towns other than Mbeya, near Utengule Coffee lodge.
There are several bus ticket scams running out of Mbeya. The well-established scam artists attempt to sell tickets into various cities in Malawi. They have various price sheets and other documentation. They will even make phone calls to verify there is availability on the bus. One group even has an office in the Malawi transportation/bus center. They will get the passengers on a dalla-dallas that will just let them off at the border where there is supposed another bus that is waiting. Of course, there isn't. As of April 2010 there are no buses that go directly from Mbeya to Malawi. The buses only go to the border town of Kyela.
There is frequent local transport, both 30-seat "coaster" buses and dalla-dallas to Kyela. Double check that the driver can drop you off at the border ("boda-boda"). The border stop is only a 5-10 minute walk from the Songwe River bridge crossing into Malawi. There are bus services on the Malawi side of the border; going to Karonga, Mzuzu and further inland like Matours, Malawi Link and there are also shared taxis to Karonga cost about 1,500.00 Kwacha. For Itungi and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi), you will need to ride all the way to Kyela and secure additional transport from there.
Local transport also runs to Tunduma on the Zambian border; onward transportation can be arranged on the Zambian side.
If Mbeya is your stop off on entering Tanzania on the way to Dar es Salaam, try to head for Iringa next, an easy 4- to 5-hour bus ride. The district capital, Iringa is a good base for exploring the highlands along the Tanzam road. Buses are also available to Songea to the southeast, Sumbawanga to the northwest, or Tabora to the north, for connections to Kigoma or Mwanza.
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division