Southern Highlands
A cool highland town with Ruaha National Park on the doorstep and fascinating ancient rock art in the hills.
Best for
How to get there
Drive from Dar es Salaam on the TANZAM Highway — 6–7 hours
Average trip length
1–3 days
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A vibrant highland town surrounded by rolling hills, historic Isimila Stone Age site, and gateway to Ruaha National Park. Iringa offers cultural tours, local market experiences, and is a natural stopover on the southern safari circuit.
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June – October
The cool dry season is ideal for exploring. Iringa is pleasant year-round due to its elevation (1,600m). The rainy season (Nov–Apr) is green and lush but can make rural tracks muddy.
Budget
Local guesthouse + transport from $30–$60/day
Mid-range
Mid-range hotel with day trips $80–$150/day
Premium
Boutique stay with Ruaha safari from $200+/day
Is Iringa worth a stop?
Absolutely, especially for travellers doing the southern circuit by road. Isimila alone is worth a few hours, and the town has a welcoming local feel far off the tourist trail.
What is Isimila?
Isimila Stone Age Site contains one of the largest concentrations of Acheulean tools ever found — stone hand-axes and cleavers up to 300,000 years old, lying exposed in a dramatic ravine.
