CULTURAL TOURISM

Culture Tourism in Tanzania

Cultural tourism in Tanzania started as a program to help rural communities enjoy the benefit of tourism sector in which they are a part of.
The program is the effort and initiatives of the Dutch Development organization know as SNV which has been directly involved in Tanzania's community development programs, especially in the rural areas.
The main goal is that rural communities should directly benefit from tourists who visit their areas. Cultural tourism allows local people such as Maasai, Pare, Sambaa, Wa-Arusha, Gogo, Nyakyusa and Wazaramo, Sukuma Culture in the side of Lake Victoria to offer tours that show their culture, their sacred places of worship, economic activities, for example, farming, pastoralism and fishing. You will visit clinic and primary schools
The income generated is used by local people for specific development programmes, such as, the building of dispensaries, schools and cattle dip sites.

Some of the places dedicated to show the country's fascinating culture, which vary considerably are:

3 DAYS: LANGASITI CULTURAL TOURISM

Program: Lengasiti Maasai.
Days Minimum 3 days.
Place: Lengasiti valley, Blue Mountains.

This program has been developed in co-operation with the local people.

Lengasiti walking safari.
This safari has been developed to give you a unique insight in the way of life of the Lengasiti Maasai tribe.
The tribe lives in the Blue Mountains approx. 15 km east of Kilimanjaro International Airport. Lengasiti village lies at the end of a 30 km water pipeline and has some drinking places for the cattle.
Maasai and their herds from surrounding villages travel sometimes 30 km’s to this village to have their cattle drink water. Therefore, there is activity in the village any time of the day, but it is also the place were can relax after a safari and learn about the Maasai way of life from the villagers and your Maasai guide.

You stay in classic safari tents with your own shower and toilet tent in the center of the valley with a view on the drinking places. An English speaking guide accompanies you during the visit and your own cook prepares all meals. When the weather is clear, you can see the summits of the Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.

The program allows you to be free in the time spent in this area to absorb the village life from your own focus. We mention only some of the many possibilities this safaris offers you:

Highlights of your visit:

Visit Lengasiti people.

Already before sunrise, the children take the cattle to the Maasai plains. It is certainly rewarding to have an early start of the day and pay a visit to the village and meet the people.
You are invited in the homes for a cup of herbal thee and a early morning chat to learn about the Maasai way of life and hospitality.
Maasai like to talk about and are proud of their history and culture.

Visit to the Lengasiti Primary school.

This school, in the middle of the valley has 360 pupils, 3 teachers and 3 classrooms and is governed by a Maasai school board.
Each classroom houses pupils from 3 different age groups.
A visit to this school will learn you about the educational system in Tanzania.

Visit to the Lengasiti dispensary.

This small hospital opened in November 2005 and is staffed with a nurse midwife and a clinical officer. It still needs to be fully equipped. Once in 7 weeks the hospital is visited by Dr. Ole Kuney, MD and chief of the Maasai, who has the medical care not only for this hospital, but also for 48 other dispensaries in an area of 200 by 300 km’s.

Visit viewpoint.

Some kilometers outside the village, on the Maasai plains lies a small hill which allows you a breathtaking view on the plains.
After a small climb you get an idea about the wideness and beauty of this area.

Night walk with the herds.
The herds of goats and cows come from the surrounding villages to the Lengasiti drinking place. They travel during the night to avoid the heat of the day and distances can vary up to 30 km’s. You can go with one of the herds on a distance you can select. A walk under the star bright heaven is an experience you will never forget.

Since camels were introduced to Tanzania in the early nineties, the Maasai have come to appreciate these animals in the dry semi arid plains between Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Natron. At the camel camp in Mkuru, you can make camel safaris to the plains between Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Lake Natron. Mkuru is situated on the north side of Mount Meru, not far away from Engare-Nanyookye and the Momela gate of Arusha National Park. From a distance the area can be easily recognised through the remarkable shape of Ol Doinyo Landaree, the little mountain that looks like a pyramid.


Arrival in Arusha
IIf you enter Tanzania by aeroplane, your flight arrives at Kilimanjaro International Airport in the evening. Your guide will wait for you at the arrival gate and transfers you to your hotel/lodge.
If you arrive by vehicle, your guide meets you the next morning at your hotel/lodge.

Day 1: Mkuru village
Welcome to the extensive plains around Mkuru village where you can experience all facets of traditional Maasai culture and spot rare birds and animals and butterflies, till late in the evening.
Dinner and overnight at the selective campsite.

Day 2-4: Camel safari.
After breakfast, we begin a 3 days camel safari, starting from the camp in Mkuru. Based on your special whishes, safaris can be made in the direction of Kilimanjaro, Longido Mountain and Lake Natron.
Dinner and overnight at the selective campsite.

Day 5: Walking safari Mkuru with Masaai warriors
After an early breakfast, guided by our Maasai warriors you can walk through the acacia woodland around the camel camp in Mkuru. With their sharp eyes, the Warriors notice every movement and will show you many birds, that live in this semi-arid area. If you are lucky, you can also see some game running away. It is advised that you bring a pair of binoculars.
Dinner and overnight at selective campsite.

Day 6: Meeting with Masaai families.
After breakfast we meet with Maasai families who live in small traditional bomas. Scattered throughout the area, the warriors start wandering with their cattle looking for pasture and water. Young children take care of the goats and sheep and sometimes assist their mothers in fetching water and collecting firewood. The people will tell you about the history of the Maasai and why they called «Nillotic people».
Dinner and overnight at selective campsite.


Day 7: Walking safari in the corridor between Amboseli and Arusha National Park.
After breakfast, we make a long walking safari passing the wildlife corridor between Amboseli National park in Kenya, and Arusha National park. The tour can be made in the direction of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Dinner and overnight at selective campsite.

Day 8: Camel Ride Mkuru.
After breakfast, you can undertake a camel ride of several hours through the plains of Mkuru village. On the back of the camel and guided by the Maassai warriors, you can perfectly oversee the area and you have a good chances to view game and special birds. After the ride, we drive back to Arusha where your walking safari ends.

Places to stay: Lodges/campsite/hotels

Arrival: Arusha
Day 1: Mkuru village
Day 2-3-4: Campsites in the bush
Day 5-6-7: Mkuru village