Tanzania has officially added a 700-metre underground tunnel carved by the Chagga community in 1918 to its national register of tourist attractions, as the government moves to broaden the Kilimanjaro region’s appeal beyond mountain climbing and wildlife safaris.
The tunnel, located at the Mweka College of African Wildlife Management on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, was cut through solid rock as a refuge during conflict between the Chagga and Maasai communities. Its interior includes distinct chambers used as sleeping quarters, a cooking area, storage rooms and spaces for livestock, allowing the Chagga to shelter for extended periods.
Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Dr Ashatu Kijaji announced the registration during a visit by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Lands, Natural Resources and Tourism, which inspected development projects at the college. The government has set aside more than TSh120mn for improvements to the site, covering the installation of lighting and upgrades to visitor access and safety infrastructure.
“This tunnel, which has historical significance for the Chagga community, has already been registered and included in the list of tourism attractions in our country,” Dr Kijaji told the committee. “Once completed, this attraction will help increase tourist numbers and encourage visitors to stay longer in the country.”
Mweka College Deputy Principal Alex Kisingo described the tunnel as a symbol of Tanzania’s cultural resilience and traditional ingenuity, according to the Adventure Travel Trade Association.
The Kilimanjaro region draws large numbers of international visitors each year, primarily trekkers attempting Africa’s highest peak, but has few cultural anchors to extend stays beyond the climb. Tourism stakeholders expect the tunnel to generate employment for local guides and support growth in hospitality and craft sectors around Moshi.
Tanzania’s tourism sector contributed an estimated 17% of GDP in recent years, with the government actively seeking to reduce dependence on the northern safari circuit by developing heritage and cultural sites.