The Tanzania Tourist Board has registered nine new cultural tourism sites that have been established by local communities. Tourism Update looks at what’s on offer.
Rau Eco & Cultural Tourism
Rau Eco & Cultural Tourism is a community based tourism enterprise in the Moshi-Kilimanjaro region where visitors can explore the Rau Natural Forest and the culture of Kilimanjaro people. Tours also include bird watching, village walks, rice farm tours in the Mandaka-Mnono and Mabogini villages, cycling tours to Lake Chala and Chemka Hotspring and local market tours.
For more information, email.
Bujora Cultural Centre
The Bujora Cultural Centre located in Mwanza, lets guests experience the traditional life of the Sukama culture. Some of the attractions at the site include the Bujora church, the royal pavilion, traditional homestead and archives of the Sukuma ethnic group, the medicine man’s pavilion and a botanic garden. The centre has two canteens for drinks, traditional foods and a camping site.
For more information, email.
Liuli- Pomonda Cultural Tourism
The Liuli- Pomonda Cultural Tourism site is located on the Tanzanian shore of Lake Nyasa (also known as Lake Malawi) in the Mbinga district of Ruvuma region. The people of Liuli offer a range of activities to explore the traditional life of the Matengo people of Nyasa. Some activities on offer include Pomonda rock jumping, canoeing, hiking Livingstone Mountain, and snorkelling.
Meru Forest Eco-tourism
The Meru Forest Eco-tourism site, located in Northern Tanzania on the slopes of Mount Meru and very close to Arusha, offers eco-tourism adventures in the Meru Forest where thousands of primates live. Day trips include forest walks, exploring the waterfalls, cultural tours in the Maasai and Meru villages, and bird watching.
For more information, email.
Kiliman Cultural Tourism
The Kiliman Cultural Tourism site was established for the purpose of bringing visitors close to local coffee farmers who lives on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. The coffee growers and their Kilimanjaro Native Co-operative Union (KNCU) have survived some decades producing one of the finest Arabica coffees. The Kiliman Cultural Tourism initiative offers coffee and banana tours, a Chagga history hike, and a village and nature walk.
For more information, email.
Lyamungo Cultural Tourism
The Lyamungo site, a village in the Hai district, is typical of those found in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. The guides at Lyamungo share their culture through local food and beer preparation. Cultural walks, coffee farm tours and bird watching are also on offer. Visitors are also taken on a short visit in the backyard to see different medicine plants used by the locals. The Weruweru River located 2km from the village and has a picnic site where visitors can try out the local fishing methods and visit the caves which were used during tribal wars.
For more information, contact: Mob: +255-754484067
Momela Cultural Tourism
The Momela Cultural Tourism site is situated along the Momela Lakes near the park boundary of Arusha National Park in Arusha. The site offers rich Meru cultural heritage, colourful bird species, the Momela Lakes, village and nature walks, mountain climbing and a trekking adventure and camping.
For more information, email.
Ukerewe Cultural Tours
Ukerewe is the largest island in Lake Victoria and the largest inland island in Africa. The Island is 50 kms North of Mwanza, and three -to four-hours travel by ferry. Residents on the island farm maize, sweet potatoes, millet, cassava, rice and fish in various traditional ways. Tourists can explore 27 other small islands surrounding Ukerewe. Cultural tours offered include village walking safaris, an Ukara Island day tour, canoeing and boat safari, Lake Victoria excursions, fishing with local fishermen, cycling tours and traditional cooking lessons.
For more information, email.
Kisesa Eco & Cultural Tourism
Kisesa Eco & Cultural Tourism is in the Mwanza Region, 17km from city center, along the way to Serengeti National Park. Tourists can participate in tours that include home stays with locals, a traditional healer tour, visits to community development projects, a biking tour to Maghaka Hill, and a visit to Bujora Sukuma Museum, the Kageye Historical Site tour. Other activities include local fishing in the Kayenze village and a boat safari to either Bezi or Defu islands in Lake Victoria.
The site also receives volunteers who are interested in working with the community in health centres, orphanages, local schools, and women action groups.
For more information, email.
