Historic Chagga Tunnel Near Kilimanjaro Registered as Tanzania Tourism Attraction
Tanzania has officially registered a 700-metre underground tunnel at Mweka College of African Wildlife Management, on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, as a cultural tourism attraction. Dating to 1918, the tunnel was carved through solid rock by the Chagga community as a refuge during conflict with the Maasai, and contains distinct interior chambers including sleeping areas, cooking sections, storage rooms and livestock spaces. The Tanzanian government has allocated over TSh120 million to develop the site, covering lighting installation, improved visitor access and safety infrastructure upgrades.
The site gained national attention following a visit by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Lands, Natural Resources and Tourism, whose members endorsed the tunnel as a unique cultural asset capable of broadening Tanzania's tourism offer beyond wildlife safaris and mountain climbing. Mweka College Deputy Principal Alex Kisingo described the tunnel as a symbol of Tanzania's cultural resilience and traditional ingenuity. With the site situated near Mount Kilimanjaro National Park - one of Africa's most visited destinations - tourism stakeholders expect the attraction to encourage longer visitor stays in the Kilimanjaro region, generate employment for local guides and support growth across hospitality, transport and craft sectors in and around Moshi.
Source: Go Tanzania
