Culture Tours

Lake Eyasi / Bushmen

Explore the culture and lifestyle of the Hadzabe people of Lake Eyasi. Our tours promote the tribe's cultural traditions. All visitors are accompanied by a local guide who has been approved by the tribe. Activities during Lake Eyasi visits include accompanying hunters while they hunt bushmeat, learning to make jewelry with the women, watching the production of traditional weapons and instruments, and learning the Hadzabe's click language. Walk with guides to the shores of Lake Eyasi to learn about the history of the area. We camp either near the village or nearer to the National Parks of Tarangire and Lake Manyara.

Mamba / Marangu

Mamba and Marangu are within 3 km of each other and the participating lodges in the area have worked together to establish activities for their visitors. Magnificent views of valleys and waterfalls offer great entertainment for nature lovers and birdwatchers. With more than seven waterfalls in the vicinity one can spend a whole day enjoying the picture postcard views. Walking tours will provide excellent views overlooking the area including points where the lights of Nairobi can bee seen at night. Mamba: A morning visit to the ancient sites in the Makundi area recalls clan wars and historic legends. You can enter the Laka Holes, large hiding caves which where used to protect women and children during the Maasai-Chagga wars. Visitors will actually get to see blacksmiths who still use traditional methods to prepare spears and tools used by Maasai people today. A local woodcarving school allows visitors to meet a skilled teacher who is one of the oldest active members within the community.

Marangu: Mountain climbing enthusiasts will be delighted to visit the home and memorial of the late Yohano Lauwo, a Marangu native who accompanied Dr. Hans Meyer on the first recorded climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro in 1889. He lived for astonishing 124 years and guided treks up the mountain at the age of 70 years. Walking tours through Marangu also offer breathtaking scenery. You can visit Kinukamori, Moongo or Mteshani waterfall depending n your physical condition. You can learn more about the Chagga culture by visiting a traditional Chagga house with straw roof. You can walk through the Chief Mangi area where the first court and primary school of the northern region are still functioning. At the Kilema Roman-Catholic mission, you can see the first coffee tree planted in Tanzania by an Irish missionary 100 years ago. Kilimanjaro area is one of the leading coffee producers in the country. A light climb up Ngangu Hill with its fantastic view is a pleasure. On clear days the snow of Kibo peak is so close, the plains so wide and the Pare Mountains to grab.

Machame

Sieny-Ngira tour: This tour starts form the centre at Kyalia, and takes you through Kalali market to Masama. Sieny catchment forest is historically a sacred place of natural forests, bridges and caves where the local people worshipped during the traditional festivals. Big caves were used to accommodate about 200 Chagga with their animals. Another prominent attraction is the natural bridge called "Daraja la Mungu" or "God's Bridge", crossing the Marire and Namwi rivers, which feed a waterfall.

Ng'uni hiking: The Sienye-Ngira tour is combined with a hike to Ng'uni via Tema where there are views of Bomang'ombe, Kilimanjaro International Airport and Nure hills. At Ng'uni you can expect to learn how to build the oldest Chagga traditional house called Mbii. On request food and accommodation can be arranged in the traditional house. Before you return home your guide can take you to Mzee Urassa who will brief you on stingless bee keeping.

Nronga tour: The tour begins with an uphill walk from Kyalia to Nronga village. The guide will tell you about the natural and climatic conditions that the Uhuru Peak summit climbers face at high altitudes. At Nronga you will be able to visit the women's milk purification centre. Women will explain how the dairy cooperative empowers women of the area and stimulates economic growth. From Nronga descend to the Kalali women group, specialists for Cheese production near Kalali market. Kalali, like other places, has its colorful market days every Monday.

Nkuu tour: Starting from Kyalia the walk takes you through the fertile banana and coffee farmlands where you can learn about an intensive cropping system of mixed crop farming. On request, traditional food will be made for you or you may become involved in the preparation and cooking of Chagga food. On your return you can choose any route according to your interest.

Lyamungu tour: This tour starts at Kyalia and leads you through Muwe, Nkuu village, river Weruweru to Lyamungu village where you can learn how coffee production assisted local people to become economically independent. Your guide will take you to the Lyamungu Coffee Research Institute where you will learn more about coffee production and can smell the aromas of different coffee types. Your stay in Lyamungu will also take you to the Narumu Women Pottery Centre, natural forest and the source of the Weruweru river. Home stays are available.

Mfuranungun view point: This tour is ideal for acclimatizing because of its mountainous area. You start walking from Kyalia towards Nkwawangja, Nkweseko to Mfuranungun, where you can see Moshi town, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Lake Nyumba ya Mungu (House of God) and surroundings. Also, it is a source for most of Machame's water springs. On your return you will learn about horticultural practice at Nkwewele, then hike via Mulotu to Marukeni. Finally you descend to the river Semira, which is stocked with trout.