Best Hotels in Moshi, Tanzania: Your Ultimate Guide

Nov 11, 2025 0

Moshi is a small Tanzanian town which sits due south of Kilimanjaro National Park, in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. If you’re planning to climb Kili, you’ll need a place to stay in Moshi before and after your adventure. This town, located at the foot of the mountain, is where most climbers start and end their journey. Moshi has just under 200,000 inhabitants, many of which are from the Chagga and Pare ethnic groups. According to a UN-Habitat study, Moshi is the cleanest town in Tanzania.

Due to Moshi’s close proximity to Kilimanjaro, many trekkers like myself and my friends often use the town as our base for rest and recuperation before and after hiking the mountain. In fact, more often than not, my favourite Tanzania tour operators usually include a night in a Moshi hotel before and after my Kilimanjaro treks. And I must say, each stay I've had in Moshi has been the epitome of comfort and relaxation.

If you are planning to travel to Tanzania and book your climbing experience separately, then this article will help you find the best hotels in Moshi. After hiking the Lemosho route, I realized that a good hotel can make a big difference in your experience. You’ll need convenient and safe accommodation with various amenities to make your stay more comfortable. But how do you choose the best one for your budget, comfort, and convenience? How do you know if it has the best facilities and services?

Moshi is about 30 km (19 mi) from Kilimanjaro National Park, an excellent starting point for a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro.

In this article, I will outline the Best Hotels in Moshi for treks up Mount Kilimanjaro, ranging from exquisitely luxurious accommodation to budget-friendly accommodation.

Moshi is not a big tourist destination compared to other places like Zanzibar or Serengeti. I’ve found most travelers visit when going to hike Mt Kili. So accommodation options are not as diverse or abundant, but it does have enough choices to suit different tastes and budgets.

If you’re planning to climb Kilimanjaro, you’ll need to book accommodation that’s close to your trek’s starting point because some routes are farther than others. Fortunately, most hotels can arrange transfers to and from the gate for you. Also, hiking the mountain can be a strenuous and extremely exhausting endeavor.

Getting a hotel in Moshi that will make you feel at home makes all the difference, especially if you’re planning on hiking Kili. Though the main attraction is the mountain, you can still find suitable and comfortable lodgings if you want to break away from your regular routine. The whole town has a friendly and laid-back vibe that makes you feel relaxed and welcome.

Here are some of my favourite hotels in Moshi:

Kaliwa Lodge: Situated near the Machame Gate, this lodge offers excellent service, clean and comfortable rooms, and tasty food. The terrace provides amazing views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Parkview Inn Moshi: Conveniently located in Moshi Town, this hotel offers peace and quiet, great service, and fantastic views of Mount Kilimanjaro from the rooftop.
Chanya Lodge: Located a little way outside of Moshi, this lodge provides excellent value with clean rooms, great food, and a lovely poolside bar.
Mountain Inn: A family-run hotel offering a warm atmosphere, comfortable rooms, and a beautiful garden setting. It's a great place to relax before or after your Kilimanjaro trek.
More Than A Drop: A charming bed and breakfast that supports a hospitality training program for young women. Guests can enjoy cozy rooms and delicious meals while contributing to a good cause.

Let's explore the best hotels in Moshi in detail.

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Mount Kilimanjaro as seen from Moshi. Source: Wikipedia

Essential Travel Tips for Moshi

Before diving into the hotel options, here are some essential travel tips to keep in mind:

Travel Insurance: 100% YES! Tanzania has now introduced “free” healthcare, but it’s only for citizens! Tourists need travel insurance in case anything happens on your visit.
Visa: Probably not - Tanzania now provides a visa on arrival (VoA) for most western countries which allows you to stay for up to 90 days. However, some other countries do need a pre-approved eVisa (check here!). VoAs cost $50 USD for a single entry - Note, US Citizens are required to get a Multi-Entry visa which costs $100 USD. If transiting through Kenya (a lot of people fly via Nairobi), you’ll need a Kenyan visa too.
Vaccinations: YES! Make sure you are up-to-date with all your vaccines. A yellow fever vaccination isn’t a requirement to visit Kilimanjaro but is for neighbouring areas in East Africa. Rabies is an issue in Tanzania, but the vaccine is expensive and ineffective as a preventative measure (it only lasts a few years and you’ll need to get them again if you require treatment).
Booking: Your only realy two options here are Kumano Travel and Booking.com. If you don’t want to figure it all out (it’s meant to be a holiday after all) you can book a package tour.
Money: Cash is king in Tanzania, so you’ll want to get some folding tender out from an ATM when you land. Larger businesses and hotels will take Debit / Credit Card but most resturants, and street vendors want cash. I personally use a Wise debit card for all my international money needs as they only convert the funds when you make payment, plus they offer a much better spread (margin on the true exhange rate) than the banks do.
Transportation: There is a good basic network of local and inter-city busses in Tanzania and travel this way is very cheap. Domestic flight are also very affordable and a far more comfortable option. Another option is the Saily eSIM. This is a little more expensive but works from the moment you land is is SOOOOO much easier. For finding cheap flights, I recommend Skyscanner.
Water: Safest not to - tap water in Tanzania may be OK (the locals drink it) but is generally untreated and not reccommended for tourists. Yes - Your tour company with ensure the water provided to you is safe to drink by either carrying in bottled water, or by treating stream water with purification tablets or by boiling it. If you want to drink water from the rivers and streams you generally can but should do so at your own risk. ALWAYS follow best practice and drink from fast flowing water as far up stream as possible.

When I arrived in Moshi i flew into Nairobi, Kenya, and took a direct but to Moshi the next day.

If you’re looking for a flexible and convenient way to travel to Moshi, you can rent a car from various agencies in Tanzania.

Getting Around Moshi

You can easily explore the town on foot or by bike. Some hotels are outside the town center, so you might have to take a taxi or a motorcycle to get around. If you want to be close to the shops and other attractions, choose accommodation within walking distance or a quick ride from the town center.

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Cost of Accommodation

You can expect to pay between $10 and $200 per night for accommodation. Of course, you can find cheaper or more expensive options depending on your preferences and availability.

Here's a breakdown of what you can expect for different price ranges:

$50-$150: Mid-range accommodation with private facilities, double or twin rooms with AC, hot water, reliable Wi-Fi, TV, fridge, balcony, or terrace.
$100-$400: If you’re looking to splurge, you can get a luxury hotel or boutique with private facilities, double or twin rooms, or suites with AC, hot water, excellent Wi-Fi, TV, fridge, minibar, balcony, or terrace.

Safety in Moshi

Moshi is generally a safe town. The town is generally safe for tourists, but you should do your due diligence when it comes to security. Ideally, you want to choose a lodging with security guards or cameras on site.

If you’re a solo traveler, explore the area with a guide. The Touts or ‘Papassi’ will flock to you and follow you around, trying to sell you anything or everything. They’re harmless but bloody annoying. You can amuse them by talking with them, or be firm and tell them to leave you alone.

Choosing the Right Amenities

Though there are various accommodations to choose from, they’re not created equal. They all come with different amenities and services. A big part of your prep will be to choose one with facilities that suit your needs and preferences. For example, if you need Wi-Fi for work or entertainment, choose one with free and fast Wi-Fi. If you need to relax and recover from your hike, it makes sense to choose one with a pool or spa on site. If you need a gym or a yoga studio for exercising or stretching, opt for one with a gym or a yoga studio on site.

Getting to Moshi

The closest airport to Moshi is Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA / JRO / HTKJ). You can fly there and then take a taxi or a shuttle bus to the town.

The cheapest and most common way to get there is by bus. You can find bus tickets online or at the bus stations or terminals.

Best Hotels in Moshi

Luxury Options

Kaliwa Lodge

By far the best hotel in Moshi. Run by a German proprietor, the service is excellent, the rooms clean and very comfortable and the food is very tasty. The views of Kilimanjaro from the terrace are amazing. Kaliwa Lodge provides an unforgettable stay in Moshi.

Costs: Room prices with breakfast included range from $80 for a single to $160 for a double.
Ideal for: Travellers looking for comfort, great service and incredible photographic views of Kilimanjaro.
Main selling factor: Beautiful setting near Machame gate, very quiet as it is set away from Moshi town, amazing views of the forest and Mount Kilimanjaro from the terrace.

Kaliwa Lodge. Source: Tripadvisor

Parkview Inn Moshi

Conveniently located in Moshi Town, but offers its guests peace and quiet. Great service and fantastic view of Mount Kilimanjaro from the rooftop, where guests can relax and have drinks!

Costs: Room prices with breakfast included range from $80 for a standard twin or double to $130 for an deluxe double.
Ideal for: The average traveller who is accustomed to Western standards. Great for families.
Main selling factor: Nice swimming pool. Western standard hotel with good breakfast. Friendly and professional service. Wifi in public areas.

Chanya Lodge

Located a little way outside of Moshi, the Chanya Lodge provides excellent value for the discerning traveller. Clean rooms, great food and a lovely poolside bar.

Costs: The room price for a double with breakfast starts at around $100.
Ideal for: Anyone looking for a good hotel and isn’t too bothered if they are located just outside the town (only needs a short taxi ride).
Main selling factor: Nice swimming pool and bar area. Has basic amenities, but nice décor and a pleasant stay overall.

Dual Mountain View Lodge

As the name suggests, expect great views! Has clean and comfortable rooms and suites. Offers affordable rates and delicious cuisine!

Price: ~$120-$150 a night

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Mid-Range Options

Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel

This is my favorite hotel in Moshi. As I mentioned before, it’s a 4-star hotel with everything you need for a comfortable and relaxing stay. It’s a 4-star hotel with spacious rooms and comfortable beds, hot showers, free Wi-Fi, a rooftop restaurant, and a bar (my favorite part) with stunning views of the mountain. You can also take advantage of their swimming pool, gym, spa, and fitness area. Another awesome perk is that it’s close to the town center and they offer free shuttle service and luggage storage when going to the Airport. I stayed there after my climb and loved every moment of it. Especially soaking in the pool after being on the arid mountain for 8 days.

Sal Salinero

Sal Salinero is a tranquil inn located near a golf course. Again Wonders Hotel takes the cake.

Budget Options

Osy Grand Hotel

Okay, ‘Grand’ is a little optimistic! This hotel is very basic, but well located in Moshi town and affordable for the location.

Costs: Room prices with breakfast included range from $35 for a standard twin to $55 for an executive double.
Ideal for: If you are not too picky and used to travelling on a budget in Africa or Asia, then this hotel will be fine for you.
Main selling factor: Good location in a pretty safe part of Moshi. Friendly staff and affordable rates.
Drawbacks: Cash only. No elevator, so if you are on the higher floors, it’s a bit of a trek! The hotel's décor is not for everyone.

Rafiki Backpackers & Guesthouse

Disclosure: I stayed in Moshi for a few days before and after my trip up Kilimanjaro. Beforehand I stayed at the awesome Rafiki Backpackers & Guesthouse (where I met some awesome other travelers and locals). I stayed here before my hike and loved it. I met some great people and there was a real family vibe which some hostels really dont have. Rafiki is one of the most popular hostels in the town. If you wish, you can pitch your tent in their garden and camp there for the night.

Price: From $20 a night for a single room to $12 per night for a dorm room.

Comfy Stay

As the name suggests, Comfy Stay is a cozy, charming, and quiet hotel tucked away in a beautiful green spot near the river.

Other Budget Options:

The Hibiscus Bed and Breakfast: Basic but super cheap accommodation. ~$30 a night
Kilimanjaro Safaris Lodge: Central location in Moshi and cheap. ~$60 a night

Hostel vs. Hotel

Hostel vs. They are cheaper and offer a more social atmosphere where you can meet fellow travelers. Some hostels also organize tours and activities for their guests. But there are some drawbacks. Personally, I prefer staying in hotels because I value comfort and convenience more than saving money.

Additional Hotel Options

Moshi Leopard Hotel is along Market Street, centrally located within the shopping and business area of Moshi Town, with a panoramic view of Mount Kilimanjaro in full view. the restaurant, located on the ground floor, and the Kibo terrace above, a perfect setting for an intimate and romantic fine dining. Our menu offers an extensive selection of Continental, Indonesian, Italian, and African cuisines. The ambience is further defined by our open kitchen, where guests can witness the food being prepared hygienically by our well-trained chefs. Our new, modern conference rooms have a selection of two venues that can cater for multiple functions, each with an approximate seating capacity of 40 and 140 people, respectively. Located in the adjacent wing of the Hotel, with easy access to over 40 Hotel rooms. During your stay, take the opportunity to visit the world-famous northern tourist circuit, whereby you will witness the richest animal kingdoms of the world: Ngorongoro Crater, named the eighth wonder of the world, the Serengeti endless plains, Lake Manyara, Arusha and Tarangire National Park, just to mention a few. Walking tours of the Moshi area and hiking Mt.

Moshi can get busy and crowded, especially when there are big events or festivals in town.

Hi, I'm Tristan and I've been travelling on and off for the past 10 years. I love going off the beaten track and exploring a country on my own terms.

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