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Ng'iresi

 

Ng’iresi is situated 7 km out of Arusha, on the slopes of Mt. Meru. It is inhabited by farmers of the Waarusha tribe. The villages of Ng’iresia and Olgilai have the following on offer for visitors:

- A guided tour to farms on the lush slopes of Mt. Meru

- A visit to several development projects in the village-soil conservation, irrigation, crossbreeding, bio-gas

- A climb to Kivesi Hill, an old volcano with a natural forest on the top

- A glimpse of the Wa-arusha culture

- A walk to Songoto and Navuru waterfalls

- A delicious lunch and dinner prepared by the Juhudi Women’s Group Different tours have been organized.

 

Visitors can choose between half and full day tours:

 

Half Day Tours

 

1. Village tour

Visit Mzee Loti’s farm for a coffee and tea and get an explanation on bio-gas, 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 a beautiful view of Arusha town and the surrounding Maasai plain. Descend Lekimana Hill to visit the Ng’iresi primary school and return to Loti’s farm for lunch.

 

2. Songota waterfall

The tour starts from Kwangulelo bust stop. A 45 minutes walk takes you to the Songoto waterfall in Oldadai village. Visit Mzee Loti’s farm and visit the biogas and soil conservation projects, traditional houses and school.

 

 

Full day tours

 

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 conyon of the Themi River. Cross the river to reach the Nuvuru 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.

 

Two day tour

After a full day tour, spend the night camping at Mzee Loti’s farm. Next morning, start for a climb to Kivesi Hill. Descend on the other side and return to Arusha. Other tours can be arranged on request. A traditional medicine tour is an interesting option, in which you meet a traditional healer and walk along the slopes of Mt. Meru collecting herbs and plants that have been used by the local for thousands of years. The guide will help in identifying and collecting samples of the different species.

 

Getting there: Tours to Ng’iresi can be organized through Tanzania Tourist Board in Dar es Salaam or TTB information Cente in Arusha or through local tour operators. (Income from tourist visit will be used to improve the local primary schools and quality of education.)

 

Mto Wa Mbu Cultural Tourism Programme

 

MtowaMbu is situated on the way from Arusha to the national parks in northern Tanzania, just at the foot of the Rift Valley. Located on the way to Ngorongoro and Serengeti, it is an ideal resting place for most safari travellers.

 

A visit to MtoWaMbu includes:

- A walk thought the farms in the green oasis at the foot of the Rift Valley

- A climb to Balaa Hill from where you can see the whole town

- A view into the culture of the many different tribes living in the area

- A trip to the Miwaleni Lake and waterfall

- Visit to development projects that aim at improving agriculture and start income generating activities for the farmers

- Explanation about the irrigation system

Different tours are on offer:

 

Climbing Balaa Hill (3 - 6 hours)

Climb to the top of the Rift Valley wall for breath-taking views of Lake Manyara, the village of MtowaMbu, and the Maasai Steppe beyond. Also, see a diverse array of local bird species and magnificent 2,000 year old baobab trees.

 

Maasai Boma tour (3 - 4 hours)

Visit a Maasai boma and see the lifestyle of this legendary tribe upclose. Along with a guided tour of the boma and an introduction to the local Maasai population, tribesmen will offer to paint traditional Maasai tattoos for visitors and even let them milk their prized cows.

 

Maasai Market tour (2-4 hours)

Hundreds of Maasai gather each Thursday afternoon at the busting Maasai market, where visitors have the chance to see their crafts and taste their food, including the famous Maasai BBQ. A larger, village-wide market occurs on the 22nd of each month.

 

Village walks (2-4 hours)

Get an inside look at the homes and exquisite craft of MtowaMbu’s many tribes. Visitors will get a chance to meet locals and learn about banana beer, Makonde woodcarvings, and the tribal painting techniques; the village provides a great introduction to everyday life in Africa.

 

Farm tour (1-4 hours)

See the innovative farming practices of MtowaMbu villagers and learn about the irrigation system that sustains local crops, including the 32 varieties of bananas.

Miwaleni Waterfall and Lake tour (3-5 hours)

Bike or hike to this impressive lake and waterfall, both lined with thriving papyrus plants. At night, leopards and hippos frequent the area, but during the day, visitors can swim in the refreshing pool beneath the falls.

 

 

Biking to Lake Manyara (2-5 hours)

Bike to the coast of one of Africa’s most majestic lake and get an amazing opportunity to view wildlife like zebras, giraffes, hippos and buffaloes at close range in this corridor of migration between the national parks.

 

Lunch at Mama’s (1-2 hours)

Enjoy a delicious, home-cooked meal in a local Mom’s home. Over lunch, the guide will provide a history of the region and the many local tribes.

Getting there: From Arusha, several buses go to MtowaMbu. Duration to reach is 3 hours by bus and 2 hours by car. (Income from tourist visits will used to protect the environment, promote education and empower women in the village.)

Ilkiding'a

 

The following is on offer:

- A visit to a local traditionally built household to get an idea of how an extended family lives together

- Traditional dancing: We can bring the dance to you or you can bring the people to the dance.

- 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 is ready to answer all your questions and give advice if needed a visit to the craftsmen prepared by the Mainyoito Women’s Group at one of the households

- A visit to the primary school where money generated from tourism as Development Fees is used to rehabilitate the school

- The pleasure of impressive viewpoints 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. A fourth option is an 8-hour walking trip from Arusha to the starting point, where you connect with the full day tour.

 

Half day tour

This includes a visit to Sembeo’s Boma where you get a glimpse of village life. Thereon, walk through fields of crops, visit a traditional healer, head to the Njeche Canyon and end with a traditional meal at the Mainyoito

Women’s Group.

 

Full day tour

This includes a trail through the fields, a visit to Sembeo’s Boma and crossing the Ngarenaro river to reach Leloto viewpoint. Head to the Maasai Craftsmen Group and end the tour with a traditional meal at the Mainyoito Women’s Group.

 

3 days hike on the first day, walk uphill to Sembeo’s Boma. Cross Ngarenaroriver and walk through Milkhasi Forest to Timbolo to spend the night.

 

Next day, cross the Ngareolmotonyiriver and walk uphill to Olkokola and further on to Ilkurot to spend the night. On the third day, walk to Muklat and Ngaramtoni for the weekly Maasai market. After lunch, walk or drive back to Arusha.

 

Getting there: Ilkiding’a village lies 7 km north of Arusha town, a 20-minute drive. At Mianzini junction, cars can be hired. Walking is also possible but it will take you 2 hours to reach the starting point of the tour. (Income from tourist visits will be used to improve the primary school.)