Set high in the verdant valleys of Tanzania’s lush Southern Highlands, the streets of Iringa and their green surroundings of looming cliffs and gushing river ways are a world apart from the dusty, wind-swept grass plains that dominate other sections of East Africa.

Most visitors come here to break out into the safari tracts of the Ruaha National Park, which is famed, along with an abundant assortment of wildlife for its booming population of African Elephants. It’s also a veritable mecca for bird watchers, who come to spy out the colourful array of life that clusters around the banks of the Great Ruaha River, in the company of snapping crocodiles and ranging packs of wild dogs.

For those in town for a while, there’s also a whole host of other activities on offer, from scaling the lookout points at Gangilonga, to exploring the ancient Stone Age relics at nearby Isimila. And let’s not forget that bustling Masai Market, a hodgepodge of local craft stores where first-time visitors will need their Iringa tour guide at hand to help them haggle down a bargain.