Cultural Tours in Arusha, Tanzania

Situated 50 Km north-west of Arusha on the road to the National Parks of Ngorongoro and Serengeti. Monduli Juu is a cluster of four small Maasai villages namely Emairete, Enguiki, Eluwai and Mfereji. The name ‘Monduli’ originates from a place in Monduli Juu where a wealthy Maasai ancestor called ‘Monduli’ used to live in former German colonial times. The Monduli Mountains together with Monduli town lie on the right hand side if you are heading to these parks. Monduli is the capital of Monduli district and is a town that you’ll have to pass when you are going to Monduli Juu.

Emairete consists of a wonderful crater where, in former times, the cattle of only medicine men were supposed to graze. Enguiki village is named for its famous pastures. Eluwai is a village named after the trees where certain small ants have their habitat and the trees whistle in the wind. Mfereji is a village down the escarpment that, a long time ago, developed from a place where a South African lived who dug a ditch to bring water down from the Monduli Mountains.

• A picturesque journey through the evergreen rain forest.
• A medical tour of plants and herbs, which includes a visit to a traditional Maasai herbs doctor.
• A visit to Naramatu: a small ‘factory’ where Maasai jewelry is made.
• Traditional nyama choma’ with our Maasai warriors in ‘Orpul’ where you’ll cut the meat yourself.
• Astonishing panoramic views overlooking the Rift valley, Oldonyo Lengai, Lake Natron.
• An insight into the cultural differences between Maasai and Waarusha.

There are tours available for half day, full day, two, three and four days. They are as follows: -

The tour starts at Mfereji village, and includes a visit to a Maasai boma. From there you walk through typical tree savanna to the foot of the escarpment. Climbing the ’Kona Saba’ (Seven corners). From the escarpment you can oversee beautiful panoramic views of the rift valley, over Kitumbeine, Longido up to Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Mount Lengai.

Starting point is Enguiki at the edge of the forest from where you walk to Kilele, the eastern peak of the Monduli Mountains. Enroute to a water source in the middle of the forest, you will be acquainted with trees, birds and animal species (e.g. Bushbuck, weavers, elephants, black monkey…) typical to the area.

The tour starts the Emairete dam from where you walk passing the Maasai church, the Primary School, Kindergarten project up to Naramatu, where you can get herbal tea. Going further up the mountain to the ex-Eye Hospital from where you can admire the wonderful Monduli Juu Panorama. Savor lunch in a Maasai Along the way the guide will explain about the different medicinal herbs used by the Maasai and you will visit a traditional medicinal herbs doctor.

Day 1: - Visit the Esserian Maasai Camp at Ilmorijo is a fairly well equipped campsite with panorama on the Rift Valley, Mount Keremasi, Oldonyo Lengai and Lake Natron. From here you will descend to the wonderful Sominem dam site, a Maasai boma and ‘Orpul’, a traditional Maasai meat camp. Overnight in Esserian Maasai camp.
Day 2: - Walk to Olkaray, where you can see the red clay the Maasai use to color the face and hair.

Day 1: - Visit the Esserian Maasai Camp at Ilmorijo is a fairly well equipped campsite with panorama on the Rift Valley, Mount Keremasi, Oldonyo Lengai and Lake Natron. From here you will descend to the wonderful Sominem dam site, a Maasai boma and ‘Orpul’, a traditional Maasai meat camp. Overnight in Esserian Maasai camp.
Day 2: - Walk through O’Liyamei Valley, Sokoine dam and dipping tank. Overnight at Naramatu camp.
Day 3: - Visit Enguiki and Bismarck’s palace.

Basic camp for the 3 nights in Enguiki village, Norkuman - ‘Hill of the Clubs’.

Day 1: - Visit the famous water hole and ascend to the extensive panorama from the ‘Kona Saba’ escarpment where you can see Mount Longido, Kilimanjaro, Meru and Kitumbeine. In the evening a Maasai elder will tell a wonderful story for those who want.
Day 2:- Go down to Mfereji and visit a Maasai Boma and come back to Norkuman.
Day 3: - Visit Enguiki village with its Primary school, Dispensary and Monduli forest. Overnight at Jackson Camp.
Day 4: - Visit to Emairete village with its ex-eye Hospital, Primary School, Dispensary and the kindergarten project.

In Monduli Juu there are 4 local families who offer camping sites. Three of them have basic standards and no running water. The Esserian Maasai Camp site is fairly well equipped and has running water when ordered in time. All have dip toilets and firewood.

Meals are prepared in clean conditions by local families. The women can make various traditional African meals but can serve western food as well according to taste.

Taking into consideration that all our guides are Maasai, they speak reasonable English. They are familiar with the area and can tell you many stories about history and daily life of the Maasai and Waarusha people. Our guides wear an identity card of the Cultural Tourism Programme.
Please avoid walking with unauthorized guides.

Good walking shoes, sun cap, sun cream and drinking water. Optional binoculars if interested in bird life. If you want to sleep over you’ll need camping equipment, anti malaria pills and torch.

Responsible tourism: -
• Nature is precious. Villagers are asking visitors to leave as little litter as possible on their journey.
• Our culture is also precious. Please respect the customs of the people so that tourism will not disturb our culture.
• It is advised that women avoid wearing shorts along with shirts which expose the midsection.
• At the same time, permission should always be sought before a picture is taken. And it is best to have cameras concealed before asking for permission to take any photographs is given.

NB: Income from tourist visits will be used to set up and run a kindergarten in Monduli Juu

The people of Ilkidingà at the foot hills of Mount Meru offer you a view into the culture of the Wa-Arusha tribe and welcome you in local households. Come and hike around the village at the foot of Mount Meru where the sound of the rivers, birds and people are in harmony.

The following is on offer:-
• A visit to a local traditionally built homestead to see how an extended family live together
• A walk through coffee plantations and open fields where potatoes, cabbages, maize, beans, and other cash crops are cultivated by the villagers.
• A visit to a traditional healer, who will answer all your questions and give you advice if needed.
• A visit to craftsmen making small wooden stools, jewelery, knives and traditional clothing
• Enjoy a traditional meal prepared by the Mainyoito Women’s Group at one of the households.
• Visit the primary school which benefits from the funds generated from the tourist visits to the area.
• The pleasure of enjoying the panoramic views overlooking Arusha town, hiking along narrow footpaths, crossing a canyon, and climbing small hills.

You can take a half day tour, full day tour or a 3 day south-west Meru cultural hike.The fourth option would be to participate in an 8-hour walking safari from Arusha and combine it with the full day tour.

Includes a visit to Sembeo´s Boma where you get a glimpse of village life. Following this ,walk through fields of crops,visit a traditional healer. From there you head onto the narrow Njeche Canyon where abundant tropical plants cover caves and rocky walls. After the walk rest and enjoy a traditionally cooked meal at the Mainyoito Women Group. This group also produce traditional Maasai jewelry and “mitungi” (clay pots used to collect water).

Take a shorter trail through the fields, stop at Sembeo`s Boma and after crossing the Ngarenaro River, reach Leloto hill viewpoint, which overlooks Arusha town. Head off to visit the boma of Maasai Craftsmen Group, the members make small wooden stools and knives. Finish off with a traditional meal preprared by the Mainyaito Women`s Group.

Day 1: - Walk uphill to Sembeo’s Boma. Cross Ngarenaro river and walk through Mikhasi Forest to Timbolo to spend the night.
Day 2: - Cross the Ngareolmotonyi river and walk uphill to Olkokola and further to Ilkurot to spend the night.
Day 3: - Walk to Muklat and Ngaramtoni for the weekly Maasai market. After lunch, walk or drive back to Arusha.

Mamba and Marangu in the Kilimanjaro area have both natural and cultural heritage to offer the visitor. There are seven waterfalls in the vicinity, unique flora with tree, flower and fruit nurseries and fauna. Tour the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and ascend to beautiful viewpoints.

Tours through Marangu can afford panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Visit the home and memorial of the late Yohana Lauwo, a Marangu native who accompanied Dr. Hans Meyer on the first recorded climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in 1889 and read the original log books of Lauwo.

Mamba is a paradise for bird-watchers and nature lovers.Enjoy scenic waterfalls, trees, flower and fruit nurseries, pass historical sites including the Laka Holes - larger hiding caves used during the Chagga - Maasai wars.

• Waterfalls (Kinukamori,Moonjo and Ndoro)
• An ancient Chagga house with straw roofing.
• A visit to an underground tunnel
• A visit to a local blacksmith using ethnic methods to prepare spears and tools
• See the oldest church in Kilema
• The preparation of local brew, 'mbege' - banana beer
• See the first coffee tree planted in Tanzania
• Climb up Ngangu Hill
• A visit to the African Art Centre that houses a collection of ancient and modern sculptures, carvings and paintings
• A visit a wood carving school
• Experience Chagga culture by visiting a traditional Chagga house
• The preparation of local brew, 'mbege' - banana beer

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Kahawa shamba is a Kiswahili word meaning “Coffee Farm”. In this project, tourists are invited to visit the typical coffee farmers where they become familiar with the whole processes of coffee production-from the beans to a cup of coffee. They also enjoy a local prepared lunch with the farmer family.
The farmers are members of one of the oldest cooperative movements in Africa - Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union (KNCU).

The objective of Kahawa Shamba project is to create an additional income to her farmer members from the existing tourism industry in Kilimanjaro. The farmers are well trained to host the tourists in their respective villages.

Main Activities during coffee tour include;
- A locally prepared lunch at the farm,
- An excursion to a nearby coffee farm,
- Coffee berry picking,
- Explanation about organic coffee farming and Fair-trade standards,
- Processing of the coffee from bean to cup and
- Coffee drinking at the farm.
Single origin coffee packets are available for sell at the farm.

Drive from Moshi town to Lyamungo Kati (1-hour) After lunch, a local coffee farmer will take you to a nearby coffee farm to actively participate in the process of coffee production. (2.5 - 3hours)
OR
Join the Chagga History Hike (2.5 - 3hours) to experience daily life of Chagga families. The excursion includes: -
- A visit to a traditional Chagga house
- Explanations of the mysterious Chagga caves
Drive back to Moshi or (option) Return to the Lymaungo huts for overnight (additional fee)

Day 1: - Depart Moshi town at 9:00a.m. for Lyamungo Kati. Participate in the coffee tour program.. Return to the huts for lnch. After lunch, join the Chagga History Hike. Overnight at Lyamungo Huts.
Day 2:- After breakfast,proceed to Makeresho waterfalls to explore the natural beauty of a nearby forest, including bird watching and visit the Weruweru river on the slopes of mt. Kilimanjaro (4 - 5hours) After lunch, participate in a village walk to a Chagga home, Church, and primary school or dispensary. Depending on time and budget, you can spend a second night at Lyamungo huts or drive back to Moshi.

Drive from Moshi town to Uru-North, Msuni. After briefing, a local coffee farmer will take you to a nearby farm to participate actively in the process of coffee production. (2.5 - 3hours) After lunch, spend some time at the campsite relaxing and then drive back to Moshi or (option) Return to the Lymaungo huts for overnight (additional fee)

Day 1: - Depart Moshi town at 9:00a.m. fror Uru-North, Msuni campsite. Pitch your tent. Join the local guide/ guides for the coffee tour and enjoy a delicious local lunch at the farmers place. After lunch return to campsite to relax. Late afternoon, participate in Chagga History Hike (2.5 - 3hours) to experience the daily life of the Chagga families.
- A visit to a traditional Chagga house
- Explanations of the mysterious Chagga caves
Dinner and ovenight at campsite.
Day 2: - After breakfast at the campsite: -Join the cultural village walk (2.5 - 3hours) for a visit to: -
- A village church
- A primary or secondary school in the village
- A local market (except Wednesday and Sunday)
Return to campsite for lunch and overnight stay/ drive back to Moshi

Mulala village is a typical rural setting on the slopes of Mt. Meru surrounded by spectacular scenery. Thw women of Mulala have set up a women's group (Agape Women's Group) which is geared towards income generating projects such as the Mulala Cultural Tourism Program.

- A tour of Mama Anna's quaint cheese making unit, this being the starting point of the tour.
- A nice garden where you can relax and enjoy a beverage or a simple traditional meal.
- Guided tours criss-crossing coffee and banana farms, walking through the forest reserve or by the Marisha river bank and enjoying the spectacular views of Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Visit the farms of the Agape Women's Group. The women will explain their farming methods and show you the various economic activities they have started, like chees-making, bread-making, flower seeds, chilli growing and sewing.

Walk into the forest reserve and climb up to the foothills of Mount Meru, crossing the beautiful natural forest, home to many species of birds and monkeys.

Enjoy the scenic Marisha river bank, thick with tropical vegetation and home to colorful birds and primates. The guide will show you the most common medicinal plants used by the villagers. You may continue to 'Ziwa la Mzungu' (White man's lake) to see a big colony of fruit bats.

Criss-cross the coffee and banana farms and head up Lemeka Hill for breathtaking views of mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro and of the Maasai plains. Also visit the farm of Moses Kaoiya, the traditional healer of the village.

Ng'iresi is situated 7km out of Arusha, on the slopes of Mt. Meru. It is inhabited by the Wa-arusha tribe.

The villagers of Ng'iresi and Olgilai have the following on offer for visitors: -

• A guided tour of the farms on the lush slopes of Mt. Meru
• A visit to several development projects in the village - soil conservation, irrigation, cross-breeding, biogas
• Climb Kivesi hill, an old volcano topped with natural forest
• A glimpse into the Wa-arusha culture
• A walk to Songoto and Navuru waterfalls
• A delicious lunch and dinner prepared by the Juhudi Women's Group

Village Tour
Visit Mzee Loti's farm of coffee and tea and get an explanation on biogas, cross-breeding and soil conservation projects on the farm. Walk to the nearby bomas to see the various styles of traditional Maasai and Wa-arusha houses and enjoy the beautiful view of Arusha town and the surrounding Maasai plain. Descend Lekimana Hill to visit Ng'iresi primary school and return to Loti's farm for lunch.

Songota Waterfall
The tour starts from Kwangulelo bus stop. A 45-minute walk takes you to the Songota waterfall in the Oldadai village. Visit Mzee Loti's farm and visit the biogas and soil conservation projects, traditional houses and school.

Navuru Waterfall and Village Tour
From Mzee Loti's farm, do the half day tour combined with a walk to the Olgilai forest reserve. A small path leads you to the steep canyon of the Themi river. Cross the river to reach the Navuru waterfall.

Village and Forest Tour
The village tour can be combined with a visit to the forest on the higher slopes of Mt. Meru. The spring waters that are the main source of water for the village commence here. At the edge of the forest, meet a traditional healer.

Day 1: - After a full day tour, spend the night at Mzee Loti's farm.
Day 2: - In the morning, start your day climbing Kivesi Hill. Descend on the other side and return to Arusha.

Other customised tours can be arranged on request. A traditional medicine tour is an interesting option, during which you meet a traditional healer and walk along the slopes of Mt. Meru collecting herbs and plants that have been used by the locals forthousands of years. The guide will help in identifying and collecting samples of the different species.

African Legends – Tanzania Safari | Kilimanjaro | Zanzibar
‘Adventure Redefined’
P. O. Box 54, Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa.
Email: tanzania@africanlegends.co.tz | bookings@africanlegendsdmc.com
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