The people of Ilkidingā at the foot hills of Mount Meru
offer you a view into the culture of the Wa-arusha tribe and
welcome you in local households. Take relaxing walks through
the crop fields, enjoying the bird songs. Hike along narrow
footpaths, crossing canyons and climbing small hills. Eat a
delicious traditional meal and tea prepared by Mainyoito
Women Group. Come and hike around the village at the foot of
Mount Meru where the sound of the rivers, birds and people
are in harmony.
Traditional Half day tour
Start
with a visit to Sembeo´s Boma where several traditionally built
roundhouses give you an idea of how an extended family live
together. Sembeo will show how traditional Maasai knives are made.
Walking through the fields of crops and enjoying the view
overlooking Arusha town at Ilkisongo you will reach the house of the
traditional healer. He will be ready to answer all your questions
and give you an advice if you need it. From there you head on the
narrow Njeche Canyon where abundant tropical plants cover caves and
rocky walls (see pictures).
After the walk it is time to rest with a refreshing cup of the
traditional tea , it is so delicious that you must taste it. At the
end of the tour a visit to the Mainyoito Women Group is worthwhile.
They roduce traditional Maasai jewelly and mitungi, the clay pots
used to collect water.
Full day tour
Take a
shorter trail through the fields, stop at Sembeo`s Boma and after
crossing the Ngarenaro River, reach Leloto hill viewpoint, which
overlooks Arusha town. Hike through the villages to reach Leina view
point on the boundary of the forest reserve. From there you head off
to visit the boma of Masai Craftsmen group, the members make small
wooden stools and knives. Taste the local honey and be given a step
by step demonstration of the local methods of collection from
beehive.
This tour
is a must if you are a birdwatcher. Many different species of birds
can be seen along the trail, including the beautiful Hartlaub`s
Turaco. For both tours the Mainyaito Women`s group prepare
traditional hot meals at the campsite.
South-West Meru cultural Hike 3 days
If you
enjoy hiking this is the ideal tour for you. Crossing small rivers
and walking through the forest reserve, this is the best way to
explore and enjoy the quiet atmosphere of villages in the foothills
of Mt. Meru. The nights are spent at local bomas, where you can
pitch your tent. The friendly people make you welcome. Bring your
own camping gear and porters will help you carry all the equipment.
Hot meals are prepared at the Boma Campsite. Fruit can be bought
along the way. Drinking water is not for sale in the small shops
along the way, but other drinks, such as coke are available. The
tour ends in Ngaramtoni, where the local buses, the daladala take 1
minutes to reach Arusha.
The
guides are all youngsters born and raised in the village. They all
graduated from secondary school and are familiar with English. All
the guides of the Cultural Tourism Programme can be recognized
through an identity card. Please avoid walking with unauthorized
guides. Most of the guides are members of the Traditional Dancing
Group of TAMACTO (Tanzania Association of Maasai Art and Cultural
Tourism Organizers). The group started its activities in 1996 and
now is very popular throughout Tanzania, it was honored to be chosen
by the Tanzanian authorities to welcome the US President, Bill
Clinton at the airport during his visit to Arusha in 2000. They are
often requested to perform at special occasions ,One-day advance
booking is requested if you wish to see them perform.
The
Programme started at the end of 1999 with advice from SNV-the
Netherlands Development Organization, TTB-Tanzania Tourist Board and
now TACTO-the Tanzania association of Cultural Organizers. The
profit is used to improve the Kioga and Ilkiding´a primary schools.
Your visit helps to give the children a better education, which is a
base for leading a good life. Please, ask your guide to bring you to
visit those schools.
Ilkidingā
is a 20 minutes drive 7km North of Arusha Town. The starting point
for every visit is the Ilkidingā Camping Site, Where you can safety
park your car and choose the tour you wish.
We advice Three days a booking in
advance
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