Tukuyu, known as Neu Langenburg during the German's colonial rule, is a hillside town that lies about 36 miles (58 km) south of the city of Mbeya, at an elevation of around 5,000 ft (1,500 m) in the highland Rungwe District of southern Tanzania, East Africa.

The town and the surrounding areas are green all year round due to the almost year-round convectional rains resulting from Lake Nyasa.

The people are the Nyakyusa, although localised groups give themselves different local names, such as the Waandali from the surrounding Ileje mountains.

In 1891, Lutheran and Moravian Christian missionaries started to work in this region, aiming to convert the local population to their faith.

The new administration arrived in the form of a party led by Hermann von Wissman, Imperial Commissioner and Commander-in-Chief, with orders to take possession of the territory in the south of German East Africa secured under the terms of the Anglo-German Agreement of 1890.

The yearly temperature for the entire Rungwe district ranges from a maximum of 27 °C during November and December to a minimum of about 5 °C during June and July.

However the Moravian Church, which originated from Germany and Central Europe has a very large following in and around Tukuyu and Rungwe District and also the entire Southern Highlands.

The area has many commercial tea plantations, some coffee, and there is intensive smallholder agricultural use of the well-watered rich volcanic soils.

The forests are ecologically lush, have clear freshwater rivers and streams, are outside of the mosquito zone, have friendly villagers, have very few dangerous animals, and the elevated highland climate is cool.

Rainfall and mists are common in some seasons and the nights are often cool; very-lightweight waterproofs, and a light sweater and cap are advisable in some months.

Coffee is also grown extensively around Tukuyu though in recent years the yield has been dropping due to falling financial returns to the farmers.