Tukuyu
Understand
Tukuyu is an ideal stop for those travelling between Tanzania and Malawi. It is situated in the Southern Highlands, a lush and green mountainous region covered in tea plantations.
Get in
From the Songwe River Crossing with Malawi Tukuyu lies on the road north to Mbeya and is reached on Coaster Buses marked for 'Mbeya'. The journey takes about an hour. From Mbeya Coaster buses marked 'Kyela' will stop at Tukuyu. The journey takes about 2 hours.
Get around
Tukuyu itself is small thus within the town you will only need to walk. The surrounding area can be accessed using the taxis and share taxis that loiter around the bus station. Organised tours will often lend you a mountain bike for the day as many of the regions sites lie at the end of dirt tracks unsuitable for vehicles.
See
Do
Hiking is an obvious activity and can be organised through Rungwe Tea and Tours or Bongo Camping. Kaparogwe Falls also represent a good day out, and can be reached by bike, again organised through the above organisations. Tea plantation tours are also possible.
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Bongo camping is located at Kibisi-Katumba village, 4 km north of Tukuyu .
It is a collective project, an adult school owned by its students. They will be very pleased to have you stay with them and can easily arrange a tent, food and tours. There is also the option to teach a class of your own at the school, often in return for a Kiswahili lesson.
The Langiboss Hotel is centrally located and is perhaps the most popular place to stay in town.
Connect
Go next
Coaster Buses run north to Mbeya (2 hours) and south towards Kyela (1 hour). Those travelling onward to the border with Malawi should board buses marked for Kyela and specify that they want to get off at the turning for the border. From here it is very easy to get a bicycle taxi to the border itself, or else its a short (20 minute) walk.