Longido, Mto wa Mbu, and Mamba & Marangu.

Ilkiding'a, Ngiresi, Usambara and Mulala.

Engaruka, Kisangara and Mbeya.

Mkuru, Pare Mountains (north), and pare Mountains (south).

Pangani, Machame and Babati.

PANGANI, MACHAME AND BABATI

Historical walking tour: In Pangani, town elders, serve as knowledgeable guides who can impart their vast understanding of Pangani history and culture as they lead you through Pangani town. In 1810, the Arabs constructed the Central Boma building and buried live humans at each pillar in belief that a strong foundation would be formed. Later, German administration used the establishment as a Colonial District office and added a European style roof giving the building a unique appearance. The intricate carved doors and foundation still remain strong and is now used as the District Commissioner’s Office.

Starting from the British Overseas Management Administration (BOMA), guided walks will lead to numerous historical monuments which Pangani is endowed with. Tours include visits to the original slave depots and slave market where Arabs traded slaves to India and Arabia, the freedom grounds, Islamic and German graves, ancient mosques and traditional houses will give Tourists good insight into the 15th & 16th Century history and culture of Pangani town. Meanwhile artisans proudly display the rich culture and tradition as visits to woodcarvers, basket weavers, carpet makers, and painters will attest.

Coconut Sunset Cruise: Coconut farming is a major income activity in the Pangani area as the vast coconut plantations in the area provide Tanzania with over 50% of coconuts. Starting nearby the port, a large team of 40 to 50 workers dehusk and haul giant mounds of coconuts which are transported by road to Dar es Salaam and other Inland Market Centers. After experiencing this labor intensive process, cruises begin down the river Pangani where Hippos, crocodiles lurk and fishermen reel in their day’s catch. The stunning scenery of never-ending coconut plantations will conclude with a lovely sunset over the river and sipping freshly picked coconut juice.

Agricultural and Nature Walk: This tour allows you to experience both the beautiful scenery and culture of Pangani. Tours commence in town and continue with visits to local farmers. Guides will lead you to various agricultural projects in the area, along with visits to the coconut processing, at Kikokwe German fort facing Pemba Channel. It is the birth place of sisal in Africa where Dr Richard Hindroph - a German Botanist planted the first Sisal seedlings in 1892. Later on, the guides will lead you to sisal estates and factories then to sisal plantations. Further more your guides will lead you along the coastline to a unique coral shore where the fossils of 200 - 300 million years, old dinosaurs rests at the area known as Mkomo and Mwanaunguja coral. During this tour you can swim or rest on some of the most spectacular beaches in Tanzania. Tours finally conclude with home visits with local families who will prepare for you authentic coastal cuisine and typical ethnic culture of coastal life.

Other Activities in the Area: There are numerous activities in Pangani to keep you busy. Sports fishing, swimming, cycling, and snorkeling with the sea turtles, are some of activities that are also available. They can either be done separately or combined to make your tour more enjoyable. Also, social evening tours can be arranged according to your interests. Dolphins at Maziwe Island, Beaches and Game Reserves, Hippo pools and green turtles at Madete shall be added to your tour schedule on request.

GUIDES: Our guides are trained and knowledgeable local people who have grown up in the Pangani area. All of the guides can speak English and have many interesting stories and facts to share about the history and culture of Pangani. Our guides are very happy to answer any of your questions and are also looking forward to learn more about your culture. On request, the Pangani Tour Guides can lead you to telephone, bank, hospital, shopping, library and religions services.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: From every Tourist, a development fee shall be collected and directly deposited into the Pangani District Educational Trust Fund. Please always demand receipts for any payment, it will help to ensure that your fees go towards development activities in the District In Pangani District, Educational Sector is among the first development priority activities. Because Higher educational standard of the mass people in the District is comparatively lower than any other District in the Country. Therefore concerted efforts are required from God and men- loving people to assist the District leadership to develop the educational sector in Pangani.

MACHAME

Machame area is a mosaic of beautiful valleys, deep gorges, rivers, waterfalls, farms and it is the home base of the Chagga people. Here you can experience and witness the only agro-forestry "best practice", an intensive farming system of intercropping of mixed crop using traditional irrigation. Machame is an ideal place for acclimatization before climbing the mountain. From many points the snow capped peak can be seen.

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.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: the profit will be used to subsidize various women and youth development activities within the area.

BABATI

Babati district is located along the Arusha-Dodoma road in the Rift Valley, south of Lake Manyara National Park and west from Tarangire. The town boasts Lake Babati where floating hippos can be seen and which is rich in fish, both tilapia and Nile perch. Here commercial and farming tribes co-exist with conservative cattle herding tribes to provide a distinguished cultural contrast. In Hanang District close by the beautiful Mount Hanang (3418m), live the Barbaig people whose traditional culture is still unchanged and unspoiled. The women wear traditional goatskin dresses and the men walk around with spears. Visitors can mix freely with the Barbaig, commonly known as the Mangati living in the Mangati plains. If you are interested in bird watching, 400 bird species will welcome you on your walks in the area.

Half day tour: You visit Managhat village, original home of the Gorowa tribe but now also a home for migrants. You will see dairy farming activities, farming with ox ploughs, biogas system, local Gorowa huts and a Killer Beekeeping Project at the bottom of Mount Kwaraa (2415m)

One day tour: You walk to Managhat village (see above) and climb Bambaay Hill from where you see the beautiful Rift Valley landscape with Lake Babati and Lake Manyara. The Rift Valley Escarpment in the background and the Masaai Steppe at the east. Later you visit a respected Gorowa tribesman, Mzee Kwaraa, at his home. He will tell you about Gorowa culture, marriage, rain prayers, burial, religious and circumcision rituals. Optionally one can row, fish and view hippos on Lake Babati, using local canoes.

Three Days Special Barbaig Tour:

Day 1: This tour begins with a 70 km bus ride from Babati to Katesh. Lunch in a local hotel. From here you start a 16 km bush walk towards the Mangati plains. In Dirma, a Barbaig nomad village, you will be warmly welcomed at Mzee Gavachu's boma. In no time you will see Barbaig women and men coming to see their new guests. Our Barbaig guide will help to translate where only Barbaig language is spoken. Seated on three legged stools you have dinner prepared by the women. In the huts a bed with a skin only is waiting for you.

Day 2: A relaxed day where the visitor can mix freely with people and gain the cultural insights from men and women, taking pictures together and knowing more about procedures of marriage, burial of elderly men, religious rituals, local taboos etc. Have a look at how they make the goatskin gowns and the ornaments, how they prepare the famous honey brew called Gisuda. One can try to herd cattle or fetch water the Barbaig way. The only school and dispensary can be visited where you can talk with teachers and nurses.

Day 3: Walk back to Katesh, where you have lunch, further bus trip to Babati or Arusha. Mount Hanang (3 418m) Trekking From Katesh, the fourth highest mountain of Tanzania, can be climbed in one day. An early start is necessary with guides and porters through farmland, forest, scrub and grasslands. Finally, after 5 - 6 hours walking, you will reach the summit. Another 3 - 4 hours is needed for the descent. But it is advisable to climb from Gendabi at the foot of the mountain, a 3 hours walk from Katesh. Teachers from the Secondary school will provide accommodation and food. After spending the night in the village you climb and have more time to enjoy the scenery. Summiteers will receive a certificate.

God's Bridge Walk: Drive from Babati to Bacho village at the foot of the Rift Wall where you visit local fish ponds. Along local paths climb the escarpment and visit God's Bridge with a fantastic view. Descend and walk to the main road where you drive back to Babati Combined tours

All tours can be combined. A cycling expedition can be organized on request. For birdwatchers exclusive safaris are designed. A combination of a visit to the National Parks with our Cultural tour is possible. The five hours drive from Karatu, Mbulu, Dareda to Katesh is of an extreme beauty. From Katesh, the Tarangire gate can be reached within three hours.

FACILITIES: Full board accommodation in selected local hotels and guesthouses in Babati and Katesh. Selected family homes / huts in the villages with basic standards and without running water. Temporary self catering campsites can be organized. In the villages women provide food. Lunch boxes can be ordered from Joas Kahembe. Recommended equipment: Good walking shoes, sleeping bag (mattress), water bottle, filter or micro-pure tablets, anti-malaria pills and torch.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: In Managhat the villagers decided to invest the Village Development Fee in the rehabilitation of the primary school.

GUIDES: English speaking guides who know the area will help you around. A Barbaig born guide will tell you about Barbaig culture.