Tours Overview
Mto wa Mbu Cultural Tour on the way from Arusha to the national parks in northern Tanzania, just at the foot of the Rift Valley. Located on the way to Ngorongoro and Serengeti, it is an ideal resting place for most safari travelers. A visit to Mto Wa Mbu includes A walk through the farms in the green oasis at the foot of the Rift Valley A climb to Balaa Hill from where you can see the whole town A view into the culture of the many different tribes living in the area A trip to the Miwaleni Lake and waterfall Visit to development projects that aim at improving agriculture and start income generating activities for the farmer’s Explanation about the irrigation system.
Different tours are on offer:
Climbing Balaa Hill (3 – 6 hours)
Climb to the top of the Rift Valley wall for breathtaking views of Lake Manyara, the village of Mto wa Mbu, and the Maasai Steppe beyond. Also, see a diverse array of local bird species and magnificent 2,000-year-old baobab trees.
Maasai Boma tour (3 – 4 hours)
Visit a Maasai boma and see the lifestyle of this legendary tribe uup close Along with a guided tour of the boma and an introduction to the local Maasai population, tribesmen will offer to paint traditional Maasai tattoos for visitors and even let them milk their prized cows.
Maasai Market tour (2-4 hours)
Hundreds of Maasai gather each Thursday afternoon at the busting Maasai market, where visitors have the chance to see their crafts and taste their food, including the famous Maasai BBQ. A larger, village-wide market occurs on the 22nd of each month.
Village walks (2-4 hours)
Get an inside look at the homes and exquisite ccraftsof Mto wa Mbu’s many tribes. Visitors will get a chance to meet locals and learn about banana beer, Makonde woodcarvings, and tribal painting techniques; the village provides a great introduction to everyday life in Africa.
Farm tour (1-4 hours)
See the innovative farming practices of Mto wa Mbu villagers and learn about the irrigation system that sustains local crops, including the 32 varieties of bananas.
Miwaleni Waterfall and Lake tour (3-5 hours)
Bike or hike to this impressive lake and waterfall, both lined with thriving papyrus plants. At night, leopards and hippos frequent the area, but during the day, visitors can swim in the refreshing pool beneath the falls.
Biking to Lake Manyara (2-5 hours)
Bike to the coast of one of Africa’s most majestic llakesand get an amazing opportunity to view wildlife like zebras, giraffes, hippos, and buffaloes at close range in this corridor of migration between the national parks.
Lunch at Mama’s (1-2 hours)
Enjoy a delicious, home-cooked meal in a local Mom’s home. Over lunch, the guide will provide a history of the region and the many local tribes.
Getting there:
From Arusha, several buses go to Mto wa Mbu. The duration to reach is 3 hours by bus and 2 hours by car. (Income from tourist visits will be used to protect the environment, promote education and empower women in the village.)