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The
green oasis of Mto wa Mbu, the village at the Lake Manyara,
invites for walking tours, where you can see a mixture of
Tanzanian cultures while enjoying the tropical vegetation at
the foot of the Rift Valley. This is a good alternative to
the game drives.
• A Walk
through the
farms in the green
oasis at the foot of the Rift Valley.
• A view into the culture of the many
different tribes
living in the area
• A trip to the
Miwaleni lake and
waterfall, where
papyrus plants grow abundantly
• Thorough explanation about the
irrigation system
that keeps their farm green
The area around
Mto wa Mbu was rather dry and hardly populated till the early
fifties, when the first steps were made to irrigate the area. Within
a few years hundreds of acres of newly cultivated land were created.
The news of the fertile lands spread rapidly through the country and
from all remote corners people came to try their luck. Fruits and
vegetables from all over Tanzania were introduced in the area. In
the little town chagga people are producing their banana beer, a
former from Kigoma makes palm oil from Palm trees that he brought
from the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the Sandawe are making bow and
arrow for hunting on smaller game and the Rangi are using the
papyrus from the lakes and rivers for making the most beautiful mats
and baskets. On the surroundings plains Maasai families live in
traditional bomas and the warriors wander with their cattle looking
for pasture and water.
Visit the Cultural diversity of Mto wa Mbu, farming tour
Starting from
the market, where you visit a Chagga family producing banana beer,
you walk northwards passing many different farms. On your way you
get explanation about the various fruits and vegetables growing in
the area.
Papyrus
Lake
tour
This walk
starts five kilometers north of Mto wa Mbu, where the Miwaleni
waterfall that falls down from the rift valley has created a green
oasis. Passing some little streams you walk in the direction of the
Papyrus Lake, from where the Rangi people collect the materials for
the mats and baskets they make.
Ballaa hill tour
Starting from
the centre you walk in northern direction. The farmers mainly grow
bananas (30 varieties) and the big leaves provide a pleasant shade.
On your way you can visit some farms and get explanation about the
irrigation methods in the area. Finally you can climb Balaa hill,
“the hill of misfortune”, in about twenty minutes and enjoy the
beautiful view over the green oasis of Mto wa Mbu. On the top the
guides will explain you why the hill got its mysterious name. The
walk can be extended with a visit to the Njoro springs, one of the
main water sources for the area and a nearby waterfall.
One day Walk
People who like
walking can combine the three half a day tour in a one day walk.
Starting from the Mto wa Mbu market you go via the farm. On your way
back to Mto wa Mbu you walk along the foot of the rift valley,
passing the Njoro springs and the Balaa hill.
When doing a
part of the distance by car the various tours can also be combined
in half ot full day. Another popular option is renting a bicycle in
the town and including many of the above tour option listed above.
other tailor made tours can be arranged.
Development projects
In the eighties
the ILO had a Flood Control PROGRAMME IN Mto wa Mbu, that also
assisted the district in improving the irrigation system Various
intakes and aqueducts ensure that the water flows to all farms in
the area. At the border of the irrigated land there are however
serious problems of saltation, created by volcanic.
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