Most people in Marangu pass through on their way to the Kilimanjaro Marangu route. While many travel here specifically to summit the famous mountain, tour operators offer day hikes that cover just a short segment of the route. If you’re not a hiker, you’ll still find plenty of things to experience in the area. Popular attractions include the Chagga Museum and the Ndoro Waterfall, which feature on many day tours from Moshi.
Marangu is a great place to learn about the cultural traditions of the Chagga people who live in the area.
Bring a rain jacket or poncho if you’re visiting outside the June–October dry season.
The Marangu route is not wheelchair-accessible.
Marangu is situated at the base of Kilimanjaro, about an hour's drive from the town of Moshi. Buses and taxis connect the two cities. If you're going on a Kilimanjaro trekking tour or taking a guided tour of Marangu or the nearby Ndoro Waterfall, you can usually expect round-trip transportation from your hotel or a central meeting spot to be included.
If the weather is your main concern, you're best off visiting between June and October, when the chance of rainfall is low. There's also a shorter dry period in January and February, though this time of year can still get rain. This short dry season is a good time for festivities, and the annual Kilimanjaro Trails Festival and the Kilimanjaro Marathon take place in January and February, respectively.
If you want to learn about the culture of the Chagga people who live in the Kilimanjaro area, head to the Chagga Museum in the southern part of town. This small museum shows how people in the area traditionally lived, with displays of homes and tools, and often features on cultural tours of the area.
