Dar es salaam
The largest city in Tanzania, with an estimated 3.0 million people, Dar es Salaam is now the busiest port in East Africa, attracting more investors, indicated by increase in number of banks, restaurants and hotels as well as growing tourist markets. It is the gateway to Zanzibar, a 75-minute ferry ride away, and a starting point to the northern and southern safari circuit.

Moshi
Moshi, at 890 meters above sea level, is set at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The two peaks of Kilimanjaro can be seen from all over the town and it dominates the skyline except when the cloud descends. It is a fertile area and the Chagga people nearby grow Arabica coffee, the higher quality of the two coffee types. Many people use Moshi as a base for trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro and there are several tour operators in the town who arrange treks. The Kilimanjaro International Airport is 34 kms (21 miles) to the west and the town is also accessible by rail and road. Arusha, an hour's drive to the west of Moshi, is the nearest sizeable centre while a further three hours drive to the north and into Kenya is Nairobi, a well established tourist centre.

Arusha
Arusha is northern Tanzania's centre of commerce and trade, and one of East Africa's fastest growing cities. The city, 1540m (5,053 feet) above sea level, is the starting point for many safaris on the northern circuit - to Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Ngongoro Crater, Tarangire and Arusha National Parks. Arusha has a vast number of safari companies, hotels and curio shops brimming with handicrafts, carvings and gemstones. Arusha is the central point in Africa between Cape Town and Cairo. Arusha National Park is one of Tanzania's smallest parks. Its main features are Ngurdoto Crater, the Momela Lakes, and rugged Mt. Meru, at 4566m Tanzania's second highest peak.