Introduction

At the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro outside the entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park lies the beautiful towns of Marangu and Mamba. Here, locals have planned various walking tours through valleys and numerous waterfalls depicting mountain village life. Visitors can conveniently commence half day, or full day walking tours at the many participating lodges and hotels in the area. Come enjoy the beautiful scenery of Kilimanjaro in the background without bearing freezing cold temperatures or exerting five days of physical strain.

Different Modules

The towns of Marangu and Mamba are within 3km and the participating lodges in the area have worked together to establish activities for their visitors. Half day tours have been arranged for each town or alternatively, a full day combined tour can also be arranged for interested visitors.

Mamba and Marangu

Magnificent views of valleys and waterfalls offer great entertainment for bird watchers and nature lovers. With more than 7 waterfalls in the vicinity one can spend a whole day enjoying the postcard like scenery. Walking tours will provide magnificent views overlooking the area including points where the lights of Nairobi can be seen at night. Visits to tree, flower and fruit nurseries help to portray mountain life and give guests the chance to see a wide range of unique flora and fauna.

Mamba

In addition to the nature, walks to ancient sights reminiscent of clan wars and ancient legends have been designed. You can enter large hiding cavities which were used to protect women and children during the ancient Maasai -Chaga Wars. For a closer look, visitors will actually get to see blacksmiths who continue using traditional methods to prepare spears and tools which are still used by the Maasai today! Also within the area, a local woodcarving school allows visitors to meet a skilled teacher who is one of the oldest active members within the community.

Marangu

Home to the Kilimanjaro, tours through Marangu offers panoramic sights ideal for photography. Mountain climbing enthusiasts will be delighted to visit the home and memorial of the late Yohano Lawro, a local who accompanied Dr. Hans Meyer on the first recorded climb of Kilimanjaro in 1889. Read the original log books of Mr. Lawro, who lived for an incredible 115 years! Documented evidence will awe visitors who will learn about the astounding feats of this person who guided treks up the mountain at the age of 70 years!

Walking tours through Marangu, offer equally breathtaking scenery as its sister city as it also offers walks through numerous waterfalls including the beautiful Kinukamori, Moongo and Mteshani Falls. One can also learn more about the Chaga culture by visiting a traditional Chaga house made of straw roofing.

You can walk through the Chief Mangi area where the first court and primary school of the northern region are still functioning. At Kilema Roman Catholic mission, you can see the first coffee tree planted in Tanzania by an Irish missionary 100 years ago. Kilimanjaro area is now one of the leading coffee producers in the country. Alight climb up Ngangu hill with it’s fantastic view is a pleasure. On clear days the snow of Kibo Peak is so close, the plains so wide and the Pare mountains to grab.

All the sites can be visited, on foot, in one full day tour or can be spread over two days. From the Makundi

Blacksmith area to Kilema transport can be organised to cover the distance. Depending on the visitors condition, a convenient waterfall will be visited. We will be more than happy to arrange a custom made tour to satisfy your preference if you wish to focus on certain aspects.

 Guided tours

All our guides have been living in the Kilimanjaro area for many years and are conversant in English. Many of them are experienced guides for Kilimanjaro treks and can captivate you with stories of the Mountain and area.

Development Project

Development fees from each tour will go towards the Village Education Project. This project strives to improve primary schools in the Kilimanjaro district. Through your tourism participation, you will help improve the quality of education in the Kilimanjaro area. The development fee is separate from the guide and co-ordination fee. All donations should be paid directly by each visitor in the donation box at the participating hotel. A representative from the Village Education Project will be coming by the participating hotels periodically to collect the development fees. Please note that the minimum donation is 1,000 Shillings per person but larger donations are appreciated.

How to get there

Mamba and Marangu are easily accessible by public transport. Buses leave from Moshi towards Marangu. The ride from Moshi takes 45 minutes. You pass by Tuberose and Marangu Hotel. At Mtoni the road to the right leads to Babylon, Midlands and Ashanti lodges. The road to the left is the way to Kibo, Bismark, Capricorn and Nakara Hotels.

For More Information

Please contact your tour operator or TTB Information Centre Boma Road Arusha tel 057 3842 / 3

Participating hotels in Mamba and Marangu :

Ashanti Lodge tel 055 54510

Babylon Lodge 055 51315

Bismark Hut 192 Marangu

Capricorn Hotel 055 51309

Kibo Hotel 055 51308

Marangu hotel 055 51307

Midlands Lodge 055 51425

Nakara Hotels 055 54818

Tuberose Lodge 057 6487