Iringa is a town in southern Tanzania. It sits on a cliff overlooking the Ruaha River Valley, in the Southern Highlands region. The town center has German colonial buildings and a popular market. The Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery memorializes soldiers who died in local battles during WWI and WWII.
1. RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania making it the largest park in East Africa. The name of the park is derived from the Great Ruaha River, which flows along its southeastern margin and is the focus for game viewing. The park can be reached by private plane and there are 2 airstrips - Msembe airstrip at Msembe (National Park Headquarters), and Jongomeru Airstrip. Noted animals found in this park are East African cheetah and lion, African leopard and wild dog, spotted hyena, giraffe, hippopotamus, African buffalo, and sable antelope. Since 2005, the protected area is considered a Lion Conservation Unit. The park is known for its large elephant population. More than 571 species of birds have been identified in the park.
2. ISIMILA STONE AGE
Isimila Stone Age Site is pre-historic settlement located inside Iringa District of Iringa Region in Tanzania. The site is home to the Middle Pleistocene archaeological site.[2] Large surface assemblages of later Acheulean lithics, including hand axes, cleavers, scrapers, and cores, have been found at the site. Although no human bones have been found at the location, Isimila provides a special view into Middle Pleistocene Hominid behavior.[3] The site is a registered National Historic Site
3. MKWAWA MUSEUM
Mkwawa museum is about 15km from Iringa on the road to Ruaha National Park. This tiny museum in nearby Kalenga - the former Hehe capital - contains the skull, personal effects and other relics of Chief Mkwawa. It was here that he committed suicide rather than succumb to the German forces. Chief Mkwawa's skull was returned back to Tanzania from German on 9th July 1951. His skull was returned back from Germany on 9th July 1951.
4. IRINGA BOMA
Regional Museum and Cultural Center
Located in the heart of Iringa in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, Iringa Boma is a place for education, participation and recreation. Boma is a Swahili word for fortification, perfectly describing the Centre as a stronghold of culture and heritage in the Region. It offers various opportunities to engage with culture and heritage in Iringa, for people from within and from outside the region. The Boma in one of the oldest remaining buildings in Iringa, constructed around 1900 by the German colonial regime to serve as a military hospital. German colonial architecture combined African, Swahili and European styles. After the First World War the British made it their regional administrative centre. From Tanzania’s independence in 1961 until 2014 it was in use as Regional and District administration office offering civil services. Beginning in 2014, the building was completely renovated and restored to its original design. It re-opened in 2016 as a regional museum and cultural centre.
5. GANGILONGA STONE
This large rock northeast of town is where Chief Mkwawa meditated and where he learned that the Germans were after him. Its name, gangilonga, means ‘talking stone’ in Hehe, possibly because the chief's scouts communicated the movement of German troops from here. It’s an easy climb to the top, with views over town. Staff at Neema Crafts Centre Internet Cafe can provide directions and a guide. Don't approach it on your own, as muggings are frequent.
6. LIGEREKE ROCK PAINTING
A large prehistoric frieze, similar in style to the Kondoa rock paintings, located at a spectacular site on the edge of town just west of the Dodoma road. The ochre drawings depict human figures, an elephant, jumping eland and giraffe hiding in long grass. It's an easy and worthwhile excursion from town involving a short but steep walk from the car park
7. MUFINDI TEA PLANTATIONS AND HORSE RIDING
This lovely lodge, set amid landscaped gardens in the forested hills and tea plantations around Mufindi, offers cool highland air and the chance to recharge, plus walking trails, cycling, horse riding and fishing. The cosy wooden cabins have sunset views, and family-style meals are prepared with farm produce. It's 45km south of Mafinga; pick-ups can be arranged