Selig Hotel

Selig Hotel is a hotel in Moshi that suits travellers looking for a practical base without extras they do not need. It puts you within reach of the town centre and the roads that lead toward the mountain gates, which is exactly what most climbers and day-trippers want from a stopover. Smaller properties often offer a personal touch, with staff who can advise on local transport, restaurants and tour arrangements. Moshi is the practical base for the southern side of Kilimanjaro. It is a compact, friendly town with a clock tower roundabout, a central market, a railway station and a scattering of restaurants and cafes, and it is where most Machame, Lemosho, Umbwe and Rongai climbs begin and end with a transfer. Kilimanjaro International Airport is roughly 45 to 60 minutes away by road, and the park gates are a drive of an hour or so, depending on which route you climb. Many operators have offices in town, so it is easy to meet your guide, check kit and hire gear the day before you start.

A Moshi stay also gives you the widest choice of meals. Street stalls, small cafes and hotel restaurants serve grilled meat, rice, beans, chapati and fresh fruit, and the local coffee, grown on the mountain's slopes, is worth tasting before you leave. If you have a free afternoon, wander the market, find a tailor or browse for fabrics and carvings. The town is relaxed and easy to walk, and it works well as a first and last night for any itinerary that includes the mountain.

Because room types, facilities and policies change, check the details with the property when you book. Ask about the exact location, the distance to the airport and the gate, whether an airport transfer or early breakfast can be arranged, and whether hot water, wifi and laundry are available.

If you are climbing, ask about luggage storage for the bags you leave behind, since you will only carry what you need on the mountain. It is also worth asking whether the property can pack a breakfast for an early start and whether it will hold a late checkout for your return.

For a trek, aim to arrive the day before the climb begins so you have time to meet your guide, sort kit and sleep. Plan one night afterwards as well, because flights on the day you come off the mountain are tiring and risky if the descent runs late. Pay attention to the seasons: the drier months, January to early March and June to October, are the busiest and rooms fill early, while the rains in April, May and November bring lower rates and a greener landscape.

Whichever property you choose, bring small bills for tips, a power bank and a torch for the occasional power cut. Tanzanian hospitality is warm and informal, and a little patience and good humour go a long way.