Tanzania's people are among the most welcoming and approachable on earth, with a range of fascinating cultures ready to be shared with visitors. From the Wachagga of the slopes of Kilimanjaro to the now world famous Maasai, a cultural excursion or a longer stay among local people is likely to become one of the most rewarding experiences of any holiday in Tanzania.
With its cultural art facts where you can experience real African life and enjoy the beautiful scenery of green mountains, wide plains and the dramatic Rift Valley, Cultural tourism refers.
to a form of tourism in which local people are closely involved. They design and organize the tours, show tourists aspects of the area in which they live and of their daily life. During the tours, local people often show their development projects, like irrigation and soil conservation activities or income generating projects of women’s groups. Visitors leave the area feeling they have made new friends and with information on the many positive developments going on in rural Tanzania.
Cultural tourism programmes are beneficial to everyone - the tourists get a unique, unforgettable experience, the local people generate income and improve their standard of living, and both parties gain a valuable understanding of another culture which will last long after the visitors have returned home. Most cultural tourism programmes are located near the main thoroughfares of the principal tourist destinations, making a cultural addition to a safari easy to arrange. Guides are local people born and raised in the area, well trained in their jobs and proficient in English.
Ngorongoro Conservation Ngorongoro Conservation Area with its marvelous scenery is extremely suitable for hiking tours ranging from several hours to several days. In this area, which is inhabited by the Maasai tribe, there are numerous volcanoes, craters and calderas (collapsed craters). Of course, the Ngorongoro Crater is the best known, but the other parts of the area are certainly worth visiting too. You can find waterfalls, blue lakes and views on beautiful hills and valleys. Embakaai Crater and Olmoti Crater are beautiful places with breathtaking views. Hiking in this area is typically combined with visiting Oldoinyo Lengai and Lake Natron. A guide will be provided to hike with you. If your hike is longer than one day, your luggage will be carried by donkeys and you’ll overnight at campsites or lodges.
Marangu is a small town east of Moshi. The town is mainly known for its starting point of the Marangu climbing route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Marangu has a lively market. In addition, the town is surrounded by a beautiful area where you can find banana trees, local live of the Chagga and a Chagga museum. One of the main interests is the many waterfalls to be found in the area. Most of the waterfalls can be reached easily by car and a 10-minute walk. We can arrange complete daytrips to Marangu including visits to the Chagga Live museum and Chagga caves.
Uru Coffee Farm Materuni is a village north of Moshi. There are many coffee plantations in and around the village. In addition, there are nice opportunities for walking trips of several hours to for example waterfalls. We can arrange your daytrip to Materuni. There you will get a tour of about one to two hours in which you will see the full process of coffee making, from planting the coffee seed to preparing a cup of coffee from freshly roasted and grinded coffee beans. Lunch is included. In addition, there is a possibility of camping in Materuni.
Chemka Hot Spring In the lower area of Kilimanjaro (Hai district), you will find Chemka Hot springs. Driving through a very dry area scattered with villages, you’ll suddenly find an oasis of green palm trees. From the outside, it just looks like a bunch of palm trees, but if you find the entrance and you’ll get in, you’ll find an amazing clear blue pool of water with a roof of palm trees and fichus trees. Jumping in you’ll find the temperature of the water is pleasantly warm. You can easily spend several hours to enjoy swimming in the water, listen to the abundant sounds of birds and even spot a genet cat at this blue lagoon. We can arrange your day trip including a picnic lunch.
Cultural Tour Mto wa Mbu, meaning mosquito river in Swahili, is a small village near Manyara NP. It is a delightful, lush village, nestled under huge, shady trees with a number of fruit and curio stalls – a welcome oasis after a long drive and the ideal place to stock up with fruits and vegetables. One of the main tribes in this village is the Maasai. The Maasai moved into the area 200 years ago, probably searching for grazing grounds for their cattle. Being the fierce warrior tribe they are, many battles over the area today they speak of their ancient enemy with difference, refer to the Datoga as the Mang’ati, which means ‘respected enemy’.
The Maasai are known because of their characteristic red shuka (fabrics). They have big herds of cattle such as goats and cows. The houses are constructed of wood and mud and building a circle to protect the cattle from predators. During a cultural tour in Mto wa Mbu, you’ll visit Maasai and other interesting places.
The still primitive-living Hadzabe and Datoga tribes are depending on hunting and gathering or pastoralism for their living. They live in the area of Lake Eyasi. When you visit these tribes, you will see their way of living. You will go to the Hadzabe in the early morning to go hunting with them. They were the earliest known human residents of the area. They were not a warrior tribe but subsist as hunter-gatherers and hunt by means of bows and poisoned arrow. They have a different look with outstanding high cheekbones, a slender build and light skin. They smoke bone or metal pipes and speak a click language much like their ancestors did. Interestingly, all of the above characteristics correspond with that of the San (also known as Bushmen) of Botswana, Namibia, Angola and South Africa, 5000 km to the South. The Datoga is a warrior pastoralist tribe, also known as the Barbaig or Mang’ati. They moved in about 300 years ago and today can be found in the area. They produce bracelets and necklaces of natural material, which you will see when you visit them.
Coffee plantations on the villages surrounds the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania produce some of the world's finest Arabica coffee. Masama village been one among the villages which surround the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, is located 10 kilometers off from Moshi – Arusha road.
We had an excellent tour with mboni. We made our reservation online one month before the trip, and we were able to talk to the staff to address some questions prior to the trip. I had previous hiking experience but my wife did not. High point of a great holiday. It was absolutely incredible , through this company we got a lot of individual attention.
My family and I just came back from 15 days in Tanzania. The purpose of the trip was to climb mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. Mboni adventures and Safari Company who was our host were excellent and hard working. We did a 3 days trip to Mount Meru which was amazing and very beautiful. We had a crew of 11 portes, one cook, one guide and a park ranger who clearly made sure that we were safe and protected throughout our journey, many thanks to him.
I Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro via machame route and my entire trip was amazing.
The company and its people are well organized and welcoming, I found them waiting for me at the airport and I was received with so much joy and humbleness.
I had a quick chat with JACKSON who introduced himself as Mboni Adventures and Safari representative where i later came to find out He is the owner!
Thanks to the quick and accurate responses i received from MBONI, i was able to plan my kilimanjaro trek and safari in no time. Everything was good organized, the hotel was good, perfect food and good service. During climbing our guides told us interesting facts about mountain. We had a wonderful trip with kindly guides, cook and porters. We are extremely satisfied with Mboni Adventures and our trip as whole.
