Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
women's group) and prices drop with bigger groups. Transportation, sometimes
by dalla-dalla and sometimes by private vehicle, is extra. Overnight tours are
either camping or homestays; though expect conditions to be basic. Payments
should be made on-site; always ask for a receipt.
All tours in the Arusha area, and most located elsewhere in the country, can
be booked through the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) Tourist Information
Centre (
Click here
)
, which has brochures and a thick binder with detailed in-
formation (including prices) about most of them. The office can also tell you the
best transport options. Most should be booked a day in advance; but for Ng'iresi
and other programs close to town, guides usually wait at the TTB office on
standby each morning. If you have further questions, the
Cultural Tourism
Program office
( 027-205 0025;
www.tanzaniaculturaltourism.com
)
at the
back of the Natural History Museum in Arusha may (or may not) be able to as-
sist.
ILKIDIN'GA
Walks (ranging from half-day strolls to a three-day 'cultural hike' sleeping in
homes along the way) and the chance to experience the traditional culture of the
Wa-arusha (Maasai who have adopted farming) people are the main attractions
in this well-organised program around Ilkidin'ga, 7km north of Arusha.
ILKUROT
A good choice for those interested in Maasai culture, stops on their village and
trekking (using donkeys or camels, if you wish) tours include a
boma
(fortified
compound), herbal doctor, midwife and 'man with nine wives and 64 children'.
Overnighters have the choice of camping or sleeping in a guesthouse or
boma
.
The village is 25km north of Arusha off the Nairobi Rd.
LONGIDO
The 2637m-high Mt Longido, and the large Maasai village of the same name,
lies just east of the main road between Arusha and Namanga (on the Tan-
zania-Kenya border), 80km north of Arusha. It's easily reached by dalla-dalla.
The mountain is not volcanic in origin, but a remnant of much older rock. The
lower slopes are covered in dense bush with many birds and some large mam-
mals, and Longido's bare summit offers views west to the Rift Valley Escarp-
ment, north into Kenya, south to Mt Meru and east to Kilimanjaro. In addition
to the climb itself (eight to 10 hours return) Longido makes a good introduction
to Maasai life, including a visit to some
bomas
and the Wednesday cattle mar-
ket.
