Machame

Machame

Cultural Tourism Programme

Welcome and explore the life of the Kilimanjaro Mountain people. You have a choice of comprehensive escorted cultural tours from our enthusiastic and experienced guides.

We, the farmers of the Kilimanjaro offer you:

* A warm welcome in a local Chagga household.

* Hikes through dense natural forests and farms for acclimatization along mineral water that race downhill.

* Three different views of the snow capped Mount Kilimanjaro, where local ancient Chagga legends recount tales of an Iron hut that made them to be strong.

* A visit to several development projects in the area (coffee production, traditional irrigation, afforestation, cross breeding, bee-keeping, schools, health care, food processing, etc)

The profit will be used to subsidise various women and youth development activities within the area.

Introduction

Machame Cultural Tourism Centre, Kyalia, is situated 18 km from the Machame junction, on the North side of the Moshi - Arusha road. The Machame Gate, a starting point of the Kilimanjaro Mountain climbers, is about half an hour walking distance. Information about the programme is available and guided tours can be organized on arrival. Machame area is a mosaic of beautiful valleys, rivers, waterfalls, farms and is the home base of the Chagga people. Here you can experience and witness the only agro-forestry "best practice". An intensive farming system of inter-cropping of mixed crops and traditional irrigation. Machame is an ideal place for acclimatization before climbing the mountain. From all angles the snow capped mountain can be seen.

Different Tours.

Machame people have developed various tours that give you an opportunity to take an active part in our programme.

SIENY- NGIRA TOUR (4- 6hrs)

This tour starts from the centre at Kyalia, and takes you through Kalali market to Masama side. Sieny catchment forest is known as a historical sacred place of natural forests, bridges and caves where local people worshipped during the traditional festivals era. Big caves used to accommodate about 200 Chagga’s with their animals. Another prominent attraction is the natural bridge called "Daraja la Mungu." or “God’s Bridge”, crossing the Marire and Namwi rivers, who are feeding a waterfall.

NG'UNI HIKING. (two days)

The Sienye- Ngira tour combined with a hike to Ng'uni via Tema where you can have views of Bomang'ombe, Kilimanjaro International Airport and Nure hills. At Ng'uni you can expect to learn how to build the oldest Chagga traditional house called Mbii (Full-suit). On request food and accommodation can be arranged in the traditional house . Before you return home your guide can take you to Mzee Urassa who will brief you on bee keeping.

NRONGA TOUR (3-4 hrs)

The tour begins with an uphill walk from Kyalia to Nronga village. The guide will tell you about the natural and climate conditions that the Uhuru Peak summit climbers are facing in the high altitude area. At Nronga you will be able to visit the Women’s milk purification centre. Women will explain how the dairy co-operative empowers women of the area and stimulates local economic growth. From Nronga descend to the Kalali women group, specialists for Cheese production near by Kalali market. Kalali, like other places, has its colorful market days every Monday and Thursday.

FOO-ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY (5 hrs)

This tour starts from the Kyalia main office to PHC Primary Health Care, via Ifiyo route. This area is engaged in a number of activities around the issues of sustainability and health care. Visitors can get a glimpse on how local people make pottery for food and water storage. The site also engages itself in many conservation activities such as rainwater harvesting, construction of ventilated improved pit latrines, biogas, sand filter purification of water and drip irrigation. Here the guide will explain how such items are developed and how they are ideal for rural settings.

NKUU TOUR ( 5-8 hrs.)

Starting from Kyalia the walk takes you through the fertile banana and coffee farmlands where you can learn about intensive inter cropping system of mixed crop farming. On request, traditional food will be arranged for you or you may be involved in the preparation and cooking of Chagga food. On return you can choose any route according to your interest.

LYAMUNGO TOUR. ( 2-3 days)

This tour starts at Kyalia and leads you through Muwe, Nkuu village, river Weruweru to Lyamungo village where you can learn how coffee production assisted local people in becoming economically sound. Your guide will take you to the Lyamungo Coffee Research Institute where you will learn more about coffee production and can smell the aromatic of different coffee types. Your stay in Lyamungo will also take you to the Narumu Women Pottery Centre, natural forest and the source of river Weruweru. Home stay is available.

MFURANUNGUN VIEW POINT (6-8 hrs)

This tour is ideal for acclimatization because of the mountainous area. You start walking from Kyalia, Cultural Tourism Centre towards Mkwawangja, Mkwesoko to Mfuranungun, where you can have a view of Moshi town, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Lake Jipe and surroundings. Also it is a source for most of Machame’s water springs. On return you can learn about a horticultural practice at Nkwewele place via Mulotu to Mamkeni. Then you descend to the river Semira, a park with many trout fish.

GUIDES.

All our guides are indigenous to the area and have an interest in providing better service to their guests. The guides are trained and conversant with the programme activities. Each guide has an identity card from the Cultural Tourism Programme. Always request guides from "FODA" Tourist Information Centre at Kyalia. Please avoid walking with unauthorized guides.

DIFFERENT OPTIONS/ FACILITIES

The tours can be visited, on foot, in an half or full day or can be spread more comfortably over two to three days. When need arises transport can be arranged. Food and accommodation is available according to individual needs.

Some hotels are operational. Home stays are widely encouraged.

How to get there

Machame, is located at the North side of the Arusha – Moshi road and easily accessible by public transport. Get of at the Machame junction, around 12 km from Moshi town at the sign board of “Machame Gate Kilimanjaro National Park”. From the junction every 5 minutes, small busses are driving 18 km to the Machame Cultural Tourism Centre Kyalia, located at the end of the tarmac road.

For further information

Contact

Machame Cultural Tourism Centre

FODA-Foo Development Assocation

P.O. Box 239 HAI

Tel : 027 2757033

Fax : 027 2751113

TTB Information Centre in Arusha

Boma Road, tel 027 2503842/3

E-mail:info@tourismtanzania.org