Mamba & Marangu- Cultural & Ecotourism
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 bird watchers. 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.
GUIDES: All the guides have been living in the Kilimanjaro area for many yeas and are conversant in English. Many of them are experienced guides for Kilimanjaro treks and can recount tales from their climbing adventures. They are all-familiar with the surrounding area and are sure to captivate you with interesting stories and facts about the different cultures, nature and areas. All the guides of the Cultural Tourism Programme have an identity card, and you are advised not to walk with unauthorized guides.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: Development fees from each tour will go towards the Village Education Project. This project strives to improve primary schools in the villages on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro . Through your participation, you will help improve the quality of education in the Kilimanjaro area. All development fees should be paid in the donation box in the participating hotel. A representative from the Village Education Project will come by periodically to collect the development fees. Please note that the minimum fee for the development project is 10 % of what you pay for your tour; make sure that the money is put in the box.
ILKINDING’A: Ilkinding`a lies at 10 km north of Arusha Town, a 30 minutes drive. From Arusha town, take the small road North at the Ilboru junction on the Moshi-Nairobi road. Follow the Ilboru Safari Lodge sign. With its neighbor Ilboru, it has played a role in the history of Arusha. The Lutheran Missionaries form Germany and Sabaya, the chief of the Wa-arusha people, agreed in 1904 to build the first church and school in Ilboru. From that time on, co-operation between the church and the chiefs was settled. Youngsters were invited to study at the boarding school. In 1907 the first young men were baptized. Esizo Bene Kokan became Simeon, Lengivai Kikuyu became Johannes...... In those days girls were assigned a man to marry, and if they refused they were beaten. The ran away from home and the missionaries received them in their schools. In 1910 the first girl was baptized. Communication between chiefs and the British ruler took place by letters, but in those days very few people attended schools to become literate, so the baptized youngsters became secretaries to the chiefs. Later on, Simeon Kokan was chosen by the Wa-arusha to become chief, and under his leadership churches, schools, roads and the Court House were built. The main road leading to the Arusha International Conference Center is named in his memory. The last chief Stefania had to retire when the newly independent government abolished chiefdom with the Uhuru (freedom) Declaration.
HALF DAY TOUR: In this tour you start at Sembeo`s household where several traditionally built, round houses give you an idea of how an extended family live together. The view of the Ngarenaro Valley and Leleto Hill is beautiful, and the presence of Mt. Meru makes it unique. Sembeo will show you how knifes are made and will explain how he runs his business. From here you either walk through a small coffee plantation and enter the open fields where potato, cabbage, maize, beans and other crops are cultivated. In Ilkisingo you will enjoy the view overlooking Arusha. Afterwards you walk down the house of the traditional healer. He is ready to answer all your questions and will give advice if needed. From there you head on to visit a craftsmen group, where the members make small wooden stools, jewelry, knives and traditional clothing. If you have had enough walking you can be picked up by car or you can carry on to the canyon of Njeche . Scrambling into the canyon is an adventure and abundant plants cover the caves and rocky walls.
FULL DAY TOUR: From the same starting point you go down to the Ngarenaro River , cross it and start climbing Leleto Hill, from where you have a view of the Maasai steppe and its volcanoes. Then you walk through the fields in the direction of the forest reserve of Mt. Meru National park . You have a rest at Ilkisongo view point. From here you go back to Sembeo`s household where the women’s group is waiting for you with a traditional meal (maize, milk and red beans are the basic ingredients of the dishes). You walk down to visit the traditional healer, the craftsmen and the canyon. You also visit the primary school where money generated from tourism as development fees is used to rehabilitate the school. Tourists who still want to walk can continue down to Arusha in less than 2 hours. You will not walk alone, people are going to and from town and you are one of them.
ARUSHA – ILKIDING’A – ARUSHA: This is a 7 hours trip for people in good walking condition. The guide will pick you up at your hotel in the morning. Along narrow paths, passing the suburbs of town, you enter the fields of the Wa-arusha people in Ilboru. You pass the spring where people get their water for daily use, you visit a water catchment site built with help from OXFAM, a primary school, the Njeche canyon, visit the craftsman and have lunch at Sembeo`s place. From here you walk back to Arusha, passing other villages and coming out on the Moshi-Nairobi road. This trip can also be done on mountain bikes.
3 DAYS HIKE: Traditional food can be prepared in the villages along the way. If you want western food we will bring a cook to accompany you.
Day 1: Arusha/Ologeruno/Ilkioga/Ormelil/Milkhasi Forest/Timbolo
Day 2: Timbolo/Olkolola/Ilkurot
Day 3: Ilkurot/Muklat/Ngaramtoni/Arusha
LEAVE NO TRACE: The natural environment is precious; the villagers are asking visitors not to leave litter on their journey. Always take rubbish back to your starting point or to places the guides assign you. While swimming don’t use soap, the water comes pure from the mountain and people living downhill use this water daily. Please respect the customs of the people so that tourism will not disturb their culture. Descent clothing and behavior is required. Ask your guides permission before taking photos, so that nobody will be offended.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: The profit from this tour is used to improve the primary school. Your visit helps us to give the children a better education which is the base for leading a good life.
Please contact us at info@amani-tours.com to make an inquiry and/or to place a subsequent booking. Thank you!
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