Day and Cultural Tours

Materuni Waterfall & Coffee Tour

Day tour to Materuni village will give you an opportunity to familiarize yourself with one of the ethnic group of the Chagga tribe [Wauru] and is still an authentic tribal village. This charming place is located just 15km North East of Moshi Town and is the last village before the Kilimanjaro National Park.

You will be picked up from the hotel/lodge and drive you to Materuni Village. Upon arrival, you will register at the village office and your trip can begin with the visit to the waterfalls, which are around a 40 minute walk away. On the way, your guide will inform you about the culture of the Chagga, village life and explain the surrounding fauna and flora. The views are truly breathtaking, and with some luck you will see the summit of Kilimanjaro. When you reach the waterfalls, you will see that they are more than 80 meters high. On the bottom of the waterfall there is an amazing pool which is a good place for a refreshing swim so you might as well bring your swimwear.

After having enjoyed the scenery, you slowly return with your guide to Materuni village, where you will experience a traditional Chagga lunch. You also will have the opportunity to taste our local banana beer – definitely not to be missed. Next the coffee experience awaits you, here you will learn how coffee is cultivated, dried, roasted and further processed. You will also be invited to help with the grinding of the coffee, which is traditionally accompanied by Chagga songs and dances – a fun way to immerse yourself in the local culture. Before you say goodbye and return in the afternoon to Moshi, you can savour the coffee you made and appreciate the views of the surrounding rainforest.

Prices / included services

Price includes:

-Transport to and from Arusha/Moshi

-Parked Lunch & Bottle of Mineral Water

-Riding Camels safari, Guiding, development fee and visit Maasai Boma

Price excludes:

– Items of a personal nature such as passport, visa, and traveler’s insurance,

– Medical evacuation insurance.

– Tips to guides and driver-guide,

Kikuletwa Hot Springs

You’ll depart from your lodge/hotel at Arusha/Moshi and go for 2 hours’ drive to Kikuletwa hot spring in Swahili known as Maji Moto. This scenic drive takes you off the tourist trail and goes through the African scrubland, dried river beds, baobab and acacia trees along the way with a glimpse into local life, lively markets, local farms, and other socioeconomic activities. The hot springs of Kikuletwa, also known as Chemka Hot Springs, is close to the village of Rundugai and are one of the most beautiful places to relax in Tanzania. The small pool is surrounded by palm and fig trees with winding roots. In the morning, Blue Monkeys can often be observed in the trees, whilst the crystal clear, turquoise water invites you to a refreshing bath. Although they are so-called hot springs, the water in Kikuletwa is not truly ‘hot’ but refreshing, as the water source flows underground from Kilimanjaro. You will have few hours soaking in the pleasantly warm waters, swinging on the rope swing, relaxing in the sun-dappled shade of the trees, with option of feasting on local favorites such as chips mayai (a Tanzanian French fry omelet) and Nyama choma (Barbecue). Later in the late afternoon we will leave and return relaxed to the lodge/hotel.

Prices / included services

Price includes:

-Transport to and from Arusha/Moshi

-Parked Lunch & Bottle of Mineral Water

-Riding Camels safari, Guiding, development fee and visit Maasai Boma

Price excludes:

– Items of a personal nature such as passport, visa, and traveler’s insurance,

– Medical evacuation insurance.

– Tips to guides and driver-guide,

Lake Chala Tour

You’ll be picked up from your hotel/lodge and drive to Lake Chala on the eastern side of Mount Kilimanjaro. Lake Chala is on the border between Tanzania and Kenya, the boundary runs through the middle of the lake. The lake is a water-filled caldera that was formed after volcanic activity caused it to collapse. The crater itself is 3km in length and 2.4km wide, with a surface area of about 4.2km². The depth of the lake is between 70 to 90m with the walls almost vertical and as high as a 100m in some places.

Upon arrival you will first go with your guide on a one hour walk through the bushland at the northwest side of the lake. The hike leads through a seasonally dried riverbed, where the water has eroded the walls into beautiful shapes, on the way you will also pass a crater. During the hike you can spot various bird species and with some luck also small mammals such as blue monkeys, baboons and sometimes Dik-dik. The lake is close to Tsavo National Park, sometimes you might be able to see elephants that migrate back and forth between Kenya and Tanzania.

The hike then leads you down the steep crater walls to the lake. The walk is very scenic with great views of the lake and the lush vegetation. At the lake it is time to relax a bit. Swimming in the lake is possible, but we advise you to stay close to the shore. After having sufficiently rested and enjoyed the view of the lake, later in the late afternoon we will leave and drive back to the hotel/lodge.

Prices / included services

Price includes:

-Transport to and from Arusha/Moshi

-Parked Lunch & Bottle of Mineral Water

-Riding Camels safari, Guiding, development fee and visit Maasai Boma

Price excludes:

– Items of a personal nature such as passport, visa, and traveler’s insurance,

– Medical evacuation insurance.

– Tips to guides and driver-guide,

Marangu Village Tour

You will be picked up at the hotel/lodge in Moshi/Arusha and drive to Marangu which will take around 2 and a half hours. Start the tour at Marangu Gate with elevation of 1860m and it is the starting point of the Marangu route [also known as Coca cola route], one of the most popular route to the top of Kilimanjaro. Here you will get from your guide a brief introduction to the history of Kilimanjaro, the beginnings of its ascent and the individual routes to the summit. During your visit at the gate you also have the opportunity to observe the mountaineers in their preparations. Afterwards, we will take a short hike to a nearby valley with a small waterfall, which the locals call the “evergreen valley”.

After the hike it is time to learn more about the history of the Chagga tribe. You will visit the caves dug by the Chagga. You will venture down into the inky black darkness of the tunnels/caves in which Chagga sheltered when the Maasai would raid from the lowlands. Your guide will guide you unerringly through the underground labyrinth as he describes the days of warfare and how the people survived underground for so long. During the excursion you will also have the opportunity to visit a replica of a traditional Chagga house.

Before having lunch at one of the local restaurants, you will visit the very beautiful Kilasiya Waterfall. The walk to these picturesque falls is a leisurely hike through local banana plantations and quiet clusters of homes. You’ll use stepping stones to cross the river and there’s a bit of muddy downhill hiking to get there, but the reward at the end is a towering waterfall with blessedly cool waters beneath. The particularly adventurous may even wish to hop in for a quick swim. The short but exhausting trail is worth the effort. After lunch it is time to head

Prices / included services

 Price includes:

-Transport to and from Arusha/Moshi

-Parked Lunch & Bottle of Mineral Water

-Riding Camels safari, Guiding, development fee and visit Maasai Boma

Price excludes:

– Items of a personal nature such as passport, visa, and traveler’s insurance,

– Medical evacuation insurance.

– Tips to guides and driver-guide,

Mkuru Camel Safari

Mkuru Camel Safari is a community-based cultural tourism initiative, directly managed by local people, under the umbrella  of  the  Tanzania  Tourist  Board  and  supported  by  Oikos  East  Africa  a  local  NGO  which  manages development  projects which  focus on environmental  conservation,  improvement  of  water supply, education  and awareness on environmental issues and other initiatives of poverty alleviation.

Mkuru  Camel  Safari includes  camel  and  walking  safaris, as  well  as  a  wide  variety  of  cultural  events,  with  the objective of spreading the knowledge of natural and cultural resources of Mkuru/Mount Meru area, and distributing the benefits  of tourism  to rural  communities.

The income of Mkuru Camel Safari remains 100% locally, to pay salaries, guide fees, village contribution, running cost of the camp, trainings and transportation costs. The Mkuru community receives benefits from two different incomes: from the development  fee that the community manages by itself, to pay for school improvements, scholarships for secondary education and other costs to improve the life conditions of Mkuru community.

The second way MCS is distributing benefits is through the Boma visit fee, each tourist entering in a Boma, is paying a fee that goes direct to the family of that Boma.

Below is the Program:

Pick clients at 0730 in the morning at the Hotel/Lodge and drive to Ol’doinyo Sambu (High way to Nairobi) driving time is 1.5 hours’ drive one way. Get briefed about the Camel ride, and then star the guide Camel tour by visit a baboon cave, which every night is hosting almost 300 baboons. In  this  place, where it is still possible  to see  a good example of a  dam made in the colonial period, you  will  listen and  observe the  story  of a traditional ritual in the life of Maasai men,  after which they become stronger. Late in day ride back to the camp, then drive back to Arusha for drop off at your Lodge/Hotel.

Prices / included services

 Price includes:

-Transport to and from Arusha/Moshi

-Parked Lunch & Bottle of Mineral Water

-Riding Camels safari, Guiding, development fee and visit Maasai Boma

Price excludes:

– Items of a personal nature such as passport, visa, and traveler’s insurance,

– Medical evacuation insurance.

– Tips to guides and driver-guide,

Ngiresi Cultural Tourism Program

Ngiresi is a village of the Wa-Arusha tribe and offers guided tours to the lush slopes of Mount Meru.  Tours to Ngiresi highlights the struggle of the people to develop and so includes visits to development projects like soil conservation, migration, cross-breeding, and the use of bio-gas.  Ngiresi is about 7 kilometers from Arusha town. Depart from the Hotel after breakfast and drive toward Arusha town and dropped at Kimandolu ya juu, village called Ngiresi to start Walking Safari.

The activities includes;

Village Tour

Visit Mzee Loti’s Farm for a coffee and tea and get an explanation on bio-gas, cross- breeding and soil conservation project on the farm. Walk to the nearby and enjoy a beautiful view of Arusha town and surrounding Maasai plain. Descend Lekimana Hill to visit the Ngiresi Primary School and return to Loti’s farm for lunch.

Songota Water Falls

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

Navuru Waterfall and Village tour

From Mzee Loti’s farm, you do the half day tour combined with a walk to the Olgilai forest reserve. A small path leads you the steep canyon of the Themi River. We cross the river to reach the Nuvuru waterfalls.

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 main source of water for the village commence here. At the edge of the forest, meet a traditional healer. Late afternoon drive back to the Hotel/Lodge.

Prices / included services

Price includes:

• Transport to and from the Hotel up to starting point.
• Guiding fees
• Local Lunch at the Village
• Bottle of Mineral Water

Price excludes:

– Items of a personal nature such as passport, visa, and traveler’s insurance,

– Medical evacuation insurance.

– Tips to guides and driver-guide,

Oldonyo Sambu Maasai Cultural Tourism Program

You will be picked up at the Hotel/Lodge and drive to Oldonyo Sambu which is located 36 km north-west of Arusha on the Nairobi highway. The center of cultural activities is Oldonyo Sambu Market.

Cultural Programs in Oldonyo Sambu includes:

Short hikes up hills in the open plains to view the scenery of Maasai land and to see the high volcanoes of northern Tanzania which include Mount Kilimanjaro, Meru, Longido and Ketumbeine. Visits to traditional Maasai Bomas, markets and watering dams to experience real Maasai daily life. Courtesy call at the home of a traditional healer or at the worriers’ camp of meet-eating rituals or at the center of woman group specializing in making Maasai ornaments. Study walks to historic towers, tribal holy trees and stranger water springs. Horse, donkey and camel rides across Maasai Country.

Tour options available:

Half day tour

Walking safari starts with a visit to a Masai boma to see the traditional lifestyle of the tribe. Hike up the Oldonyo-Was Hill to view the surrounding plains and villages. Later, head to the center of Maasai women specializing in ornament making and to the historical tower, a reminder of colonialism. Trek to a holy fig tree and thereon to a water spring, then hike up the Mareu Hill to view Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru, Longido, Ketumbeine and Monduli. Rest in Maasai boma before heading to meet a traditional healer.

Full day tours

Hike up the Oldonyo-Was Hill, then rest in a Maasai boma before heading to meet a traditional healer. Visit the watering dams and a traditional meat camp or ‘Orpul’. Proceed to the fields and watch livestock in the lush pastures of the Maasai. Nearby is a zoo with Marabous storks, leopards and colobus monkeys. Time permitting, you will be shown the local method of beekeeping, proceed by hiking up Mareu Hill to view Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru, Longido, Ketumbeine and Monduli. Later, rest in a Maasai boma and visit a traditional healer. Go on to see the holy fig tree, water spring, meat camp and historic tower. End the journey with a meal prepared by the Maasai women. Later in the late afternoon leave and drive back to the Hotel/Lodge.

Prices / included services

Price includes:

• Transport to and from the Hotel up to starting point.
• Guiding fees
• Local Lunch at the Village
• Bottle of Mineral Water

Price excludes:

– Items of a personal nature such as passport, visa, and traveler’s insurance,

Medical evacuation insurance.

– Tips to guides and driver-guide,

Longido Tour

Pick you up at the lodge/hotel and drive to Longido Mountains located 80 km north of Arusha, the tour to the extensive plains around area features an insight into the traditions of Maasai culture, the lush area is home to rare birds and mammals. The tour includes a nature trail to spot birds, a climb to the impressive Longido Mountain through a dense natural forest, walking safari through the Maasai plains an over the slopes of Longido mountain, a visit to a traditional Maasai village and a tour of historical sites dating back to British colonial times.

Half-day tour

Longido is rich in bird life. Some of the birds seen in this area are starling major, red and yellow barbet, masked weaver, silver bill and secretary bird. A bird-walk through the Maasai plains starting from the town of Longido to the Bomas of Ol Tepesi allows you to see birds as well as trees and plants used by the locals to make food and medicines. Later, visit a Maasai boma to see the Maasai lifestyle. Later in the late afternoon leave and drive back to Arusha.

Full-day tour

Add to the bird walk, a walking safari from Ol Tepesi to Kimokouwa along a cattle trail. Gradually climb to an altitude of 1,600m to get panoramic views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru. Descend to Kimokouwa green ‘valley of wells’ and a nearby historic British grave. On Wednesdays, you can extend your stay by visiting the bustling and colorful cattle market. Another popular activity for the people with enough time is a four-day trek – from Longido to the Big Rock and Kitumbaine, on to Lake Natron. Later in the late afternoon leave and drive back to Arusha.

Prices / included services

Price includes:

• Transport to and from the Hotel up to starting point.
• Guiding fees
• Local Lunch at the Village
• Bottle of Mineral Water

Price excludes:

– Items of a personal nature such as passport, visa, and traveler’s insurance,

Medical evacuation insurance.

– Tips to guides and driver-guide,