Masama Cultural Tourism Programme

	Masama Cultural Tourism Programme - Kilimanjaro Region TCTP
Kahawa Migombani – Total time: 2 to 3 hours 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. Masama Cultural Tourism Programme offers a perfect package of Kahawa Migombani cultural tour. The tour exposes visitors into different local activities: - Visiting the smallholder coffee growers. - Learn the history and success stories of the Arabica coffee plantations. - Coffee harvesting (July - December) - Coffee processing - Coffee packaging - Traditional preparation of cup of coffee - Testing or drinking your Arabica cup of coffee Why Kahawa Migombani “Kahawa is a Swahil name which stands for Coffee” while “Migombani stands for banana farm” The mineral nutrients from volcanic soils and banana trees grown in coffee farms contributes to a balanced flavors, pleasant aroma as well as sweet taste (normally of a sweet banana flavor). Visiting Masama Cultural Tourism Programme will enrich you with the culture and lifestyle of Arabica coffee growers who live on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Traditional Food – Total time: (normal lunch - 45 minutes) Kahawa Migombani goes well with well prepared palatable traditional cuisine. With banana ingredients more than four delicious banana dishes can be prepared. Mixed other dishes accompanied with seasonal fruits are also available. Note: Full participatory in preparation of these traditional food – Total time: (2 hours)
Mula Market visit – Total time: 1 hour Each Monday and Thursday of the week in Masama village we have a local market. Participation in this amazing 80% traditional trading of the common organic products including bananas, vegetables and chickens are of a common occurrence in this particular market. Clients and other interested parties are encouraged to visit not only Kahawa Migombani but also the rest of the traditional concern in Masama village. Come one came all. For further information please contact: afrongosha green adventures

Machame Cultural Tour

Machame Nkweshoo

Established in June 2008 with the Vision of Making Kilimanjaro a green village through tourism. People of Machame-Nkweshoo welcome you to explore Cultural and Natural Heritage of Wachagga ethnic group that lives on the green slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. During your visit, you will enjoy beautiful landscape with great valleys, deep gorges, rivers, natural forest and local agricultural activities on small farms. On the other hand you will interact with local people and get an opportunity to listen to their stories about the culture, history and their total way of life The tour in Machame-Nkweshoo includes: • A warm welcome in a local Chagga household • Get an opportunity to learn how to prepare local dishes • A guided visit to Nkosalulu water falls and Coffee farms, • A visit to one of the Oldest Church building, • A visit to the caves used as hides during tribal wars, • A view of the old coins, • An opportunity to learn Chagga relics, stories and old tools that have been used since the ancient times • A visit to the local market • Kilimanjaro trekking • A walking tour through coffee & banana farmlands to the dense Kilimanjaro natural forests for acclimatization along fast flowing streams before climbing the mountain • A home-stay experience before and after your wildlife safari or mountain climbing expedition • A visit to view points for Mt. Kilimanjaro • A visit to environmental conservation project-tree nursery • A visit to several development projects in the area such as coffee production, bee-keeping, schools, health care and community library

The following tours are on offer: A visit to old Chagga Caves (4 hours tour) These are massive underground tunnels (some caves reaching several kilometers) dwellings where the Chagga tribes hide from Maasai warriors during intertribal wars. Appreciate the architectural designs of the caves and listen to stories on how they were effective as hiding tunnels. You will get the full story of this war and the caves from our experienced guide when you arrive at the cave An insight in local coffee production (2-4 hours tour) Walk through coffee and banana farms to learn how coffee is grown, harvested and prepared into a cup of coffee in local people’s style. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn local skillfull practices of producing the best quality Arabica coffee using traditional ways. While drinking a locally prepared cup of coffee, you will also be getting stories of how local farms are managed and different ways of preparing and processing coffee A visit to the Local Market (3-5 hours tour) ‘Get a taste of Kalali market’ A walk through a local community market on Mondays and Thursdays will give you a good perspective on how Machame people live, eat and interact to each others. This tour will give you an insight into local economy and daily life activities of Chagga people. A visit to oldest churches An opportunity to visit places where first German Missionary to Machame area visited many years ago. Explore some of the remaining memorial stones some put in place by Mr. Johannes Rebmann who came to Machame around 1840s where they built the first church in the area. Get an insight on how these missionaries worked to expand the missionary tasks in other parts of Kilimanjaro and the rest of Tanzania. Take a round walk to explore the whole route of the missionaries in the area and enjoy the scenery, people and various old buildings. A visit to the waterfalls (3 hours tour) Take a walk to Nkosalulu water falls in Makoa River that flows from Mt Kilimanjaro forest. The river with it waterfalls is surrounded by banana and coffee farms where visitors will see the indigenous people farming by traditional means.

A visit to Local Schools (3 hours tour) An opportunity to visit Local Primary Schools (age 7-15) and Secondary Schools (age 15-20). You will be able to interact with both pupils/students and teachers in classrooms and outside. Other activities; Environmental conservation initiative. Get a glimpse of how the locals conserve their beautiful environment. The guide will explain how the conservation activities such as rainwater harvesting undertaken in the area are ideal for a rural setting. All visitors who visit us will get involved in tree planting activities for at least one or two trees and hence become part of our conservation project. This starts with a short walk to the tree nursery owned by Machame- Rural Action Women Group that is responsible for making Kilimanjaro and the world at large a nice place to live. A Traditional Dance While enjoying your stay in Machame, Chagga traditional dances will excite yourself and provide a good lesson on various cultural aspects. Amazingly, you will notice that various dances have specific meanings. You are welcome to dance with us. A Visit to Local Brew Plant A journey of 3 hours takes us to a brewing site where a local drink ‘mmbege’ is brewed. Get to know all procedures for brewing as some will be practised on your presence. The raw materials and utensils used being very local and yet ‘a sweet wine’ is prepared. Welcome for tasting if not drinking. A great secret is in this wine; listen to nice stories about this local brew. You will appreciate its ‘value’ in this community. Batik making & weaving While enjoying GOD’S miseries on chaggaland, you will be allowed to participate in local art of cloth processing using local procedures and weaving of various decorative stuff using different raw materials such as banana fibres. Pick some batik for friends and relatives. Tour Guides:- Majority of the tour guides of Machame-Nkweshoo Cultural Tourism Programme are ladies/ women of the Wachaga tribe who knows well the area, their culture & history and speaks English. Bookings for various excursions and tours can be made at Tanzania Tourist Board- Tourist Information Office in Arusha or through your tour operators/travel agents/lodge & Hotel Operators.

Mamba & Marangu Cultural Tour

Mamba and Marangu in the Kilimanjaro area have both natural and cultural heritage to offer the visitor. There are more than seven waterfalls in the vicinity, unique flora with tree, flower and fruit nurseries and fauna. Tour the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro and ascend to beautiful viewpoints. Tours through Marangu offers panoramic view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Visit the home and memorial of the late Yohana Lauwo, a Marangu native who accompanied Dr. Hans Meyer on the first recorded climb of Kilimanjaro in 1889, and read the original log books of Lauwo. Customised half day, full day or two day walking safaris can be organised. These tours include the Kinukamori and Moonjo falls and a visit to a Chagga house made of straw-roofing. See the first coffee tree planted in Tanzania and climb up Ngangu Hill. A trip to the African Art Centre that houses a collection of ancient and modern sculptures, carvings and painting, is rewarding. Mamba is a paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers.

Enjoy scenic waterfalls, tree, flower and fruit nurseries, pass historical sites including the Lake Holes - large hiding caves used during the Chagga – Masai wars, visit a wood carving school, meet a local blacksmith using ethnic methods to prepare spears and tools, and experience Chagga culture by visiting a traditional Chagga house. Getting there: There are frequent buses from Moshi towards Marangu. The ride from Moshi takes about 45 minutes. Mamba is about 3 km from Marangu. (Income from tourist visits will be used towards developing education projects in the Kilimanjaro area.)

For further information contact: Tel: + 255 786 528219 E-mail: afrongosha@gmail.com

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