Roy Safaris Limited - Beach Holidays Zanzibar

NG'IRESI VILLAGE

Ng'iresi is situated 7km out of Arusha on the slopes of Mt Meru. The inhabitants of the village are all farmers of the Wa-arusha tribe. The Wa-arusha are family of the Masaai, but who have gradually shifted from pastoralism to agriculture. Some Wa-arusha still live in the traditional bomas, others try hard to build stone houses; some still depend on their cows, while others have cultivated large plots. The village perfectly shows the transition from traditional into modern African life.

Half day tour: here you are welcomed with tea and coffee at Mzee Loti's farm and get an explanation about the biogas, crossbreeding & soil conservation projects on the farm. Next, you take a walk to the nearby bomas, where you can see the various styles of traditional Masaai & Wa-arusha houses. Then you climb Lekimana hill, form where you can get a beautiful view of Arusha town & the surrounding Masaai plains. On a clear day, Mt Kilimanjaro is visible. then you visit Ng'iresi primary school. Back at Mzee Loti's farm you get a traditional meal cooked by women from the village.

Cost: US$45pp/2pax US$35pp/3-4pax (trsf incl)

Full day tour: In addition to the above, you have a visit to the catchment forest on the higher slopes of Meru. Here you can see the spring that is the main water source for the village. A few meters downstream the farmers are building an intake for the irrigation system. Groups with special interests can plan a visit to a traditional healer at the edge of the forest. Further downhill, a fish nursery is visited in the backyard of a farm. The day is completed with a dinner at Mzee Loti's farm.

Cost: US$50pp/2pax US$40pp/3-4pax (trsf incl)
Visit to Traditional healer; $4 per group

Ngi'resi primary school, built in 1975, consisted of 7 classrooms for 510 children to attend. The classrooms were overcrowded & there were e insufficient learning materials for everyone.

Through tourism revenues, desks & new classrooms have been added, but improvements are still needed. From the money earned from the visit; $4 will go to a school development fund. $1 can buy two schoolbooks, $5 is enough to buy wood for which the children can make a desk and $10 to buy a large topographic map of Tanzania.

MKURU

Mkuru is situated on the north side of Mt Meru, not far away from the irrigated fields of Ngarenanyuki & the Momella gate, of Arusha National park. From a distance the area can be recognized through the remarkable shape of Ol Doinyo Landaree, the little mountain that looks like a pyramid. Masaai families live in traditional bomas scattered throughout the area. In the early morning, the warriors start wandering with their cattle in search of water & pasture. Young children take care of the goats & sheep, and sometimes assist their mothers in fetching water & collecting firewood.

With assistance form Heifer Project int'l, some Masaai have also started keeping camels, and have come to understand the benefits of this animal. Mkuru has become the center for camel promotion in the country. The camels are considered perfect animals for the semiarid plains between Mt Kilimanjaro & Lake Natron. They eat from trees so do not compete with livestock, they can stand droughts better than Masaai cattle, camels can stay, if necessary, up to 15days without drinking.

1night/1day: (day 1: arrive late afternoon. meet Masaai & camp overnight, day 2: camel safari around Mkuru camel camp) US$220pp(min 2pax) (Meals, D, BF, L)

At the camp there are 3 cottages, that each provide room for 2 persons. (You need to take along bed sheets & sleeping bags)

MARANGU

Perfect for those staying in Marangu, Kilimanjaro. Mountain climbing enthusiasts will be delighted to visit the home & memorial of the late Yahono Lauwo, a Marangu native who accompanied Dr Hans Meyer on the 1st recorded climb of Kilimanjaro in 1889. He lived for a record 124yrs and guide treks up the mountain at he age of 70yrs!

Additionally, you can visit Kinukamori, Moonjo or Mteshane waterfalls depending on your physical condition; Learn about the Chagga culture by visiting a traditional chagga house; At Kilema Roman catholic mission you can see the first coffee tree planted in Tanzania by an Irish missionary 100 yrs ago. (Kilimanjaro area is one of the leading coffee producers in the country).

A light climb up Ngangu hill with its fantastic view is a pleasure… On clear days the snow on Kibo peak is so close, the plains so wide and the Pare mountains - to grab! Day trip from Marangu that covers: lunch, guide fee, & entry Fees for visits to hiding caves, blacksmith, wood carving school, traditional house and waterfalls.

Ex-Marangu: US$25pp

Ex-Arusha (day trip): US$95pp/2pax; US$75pp/3pax;US$60pp/4pax

Part of the proceeds, go towards the Village Development Project. This project strives to improve primary schools in the Villages on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro.