Mkuru Camel Safari Cultural Tourism Programme

Welcome to the camel camp at Mkuru, where you can make camel safaris to the plains between Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Lake Natron, and enjoy the friendly behaviour of the "sheep of the desert".

We, Maasai of Mkuru offer you:

_             a visit to the camel camp at the foot of Mount Meru

_             a thorough explanation of the way camels are kept in the semi arid plains

_             camel safaris varying in length from half a day to one week

_             bird-watching walks through the plains around Mkuru

_             a climb up Ol Doinyo Landaree, the mountain with the shape of a pyramid

_             a view into the culture and daily life of the Maasai

_             a fresh cup of camel milk

The profit will be used for running a kindergarten for Maasai children.

Your visit helps us to improve the education for our children.                       

A cultural tourism programme executed with advice from SNV B the Netherlands Development Organisation and the Tanzanian Tourist Board.

Introduction

Mkuru is situated on the North side of Mount Meru, not far away from the irrigated fields of Ngarenanyuki and the Momela gate of Arusha National Park. From a distance the area can be easily recognized through the remarkable shape of Ol Doinyo Landaree, the little mountain that looks like a pyramid.

Maasai families live in small traditional bomas scattered throughout the area. In the early morning, the warriors start wandering with their cattle looking for pasture and water. Young children take care of the goat and sheep, and sometimes assist their mothers in fetching water and collecting firewood. With assistance from Heifer Project International some Maasai have also started keeping camels, and come to understand the benefits of this animal. On behalf of the requests from Maasai societies Heifer Project International is providing camels to individuals and groups.

Since the introduction of camels in Tanzania in the early nineties, Mkuru has become one of the centres for camel promotion in the country. Over a hundred camels stay in the camel camp, from where they are lead every day into the plains to search for forage. At the end of the afternoon, all camels return to the camp and are milked by Maasai warriors. The camels are seen as a perfect animal for the semi arid plains between Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Natron. Since they eat from the trees, they hardly compete with the

livestock and they can stand the droughts much better than the Maasai cattle. If necessary, camels can stay up to fifteen days without drinking, so they are capable of making long trips. The area around Mkuru is alive with colourful birds. The rufous crowned roller, the red and yellow barbet and the Fischer's lovebird are some of the more special species. Small game also regularly passes the area and in the plains to the north, giraffes and zebras are common animals.

Different tours

A visit to Mkuru can be designed in various ways, varying from an overnight at the camel camp to a camel safari of several days.

The camel camp experience

At the end of the afternoon you arrive at the camel camp, where you can see the camel herds returning from the plains and walk in between these animals that are very friendly to men. Often there are young camels, just born, that cannot yet walk and have to be carried by Maasai warriors to a place in the shade of a tree. At night, near the campfire, you can listen to sounds of the plains and watch the thousands of stars at the sky. In the morning you will see the Maasai milking the camels and you can enjoy the taste of a cup of fresh camel milk.

The camel ride

From the camel camp you can undertake a camel ride of several hours through the plains around Mkuru. On the back of the camel and guided by Maasai warriors, you can perfectly oversee the area and have good chances to view game and special birds. With Kilimanjaro and Longido Mountain at the horizon, and Mount Meru rising up right behind you, the landscape you are wandering through is of an amazing magnitude.

Camel safaris

In co-operation with tour operators, arrangements can be made for camel safaris of more days. Starting from the camp in Mkuru, safaris are possible in the direction of Kilimanjaro, Longido Mountain and Lake Natron.

In two days, a tour can be made in the direction of Mount Kilimanjaro, passing the wildlife corridor between Amboseli National Park and Tarangire and Arusha National park.

In three days a safari can be made to Longido mountain, while four days is sufficient to reach the mountain of Kitumbeine. Four the most adventurous ones, a seven days safari can be organized via the mountains of Kitumbeine and Ol Doinyo Lengai to the shores of Lake Natron. During the camel safaris you usually cover around 20 kilometres before lunch. In the afternoon you can always relax and explore the area around the camp.

Bird walk

Guided by Maasai warriors you can walk through the acacia woodland around the camel camp in Mkuru. With their sharp eyes, the warriors notice every movement and will show you many special birds, that live in this semi arid area. If you are lucky, you can also see some game running away. It is advised that you bring a pair of binoculars if interested in this option.

Climb of Ol Doinyo Landaree

For a more strenuous tour without the camels, you can climb Ol Doinyo Landaree, the mountain with the shape of a pyramid. Escorted by Maasai warriors it will take you about two hours to reach the top, from where you have a beautiful view on Mount Meru and can look out over the Maasai plain between Meru and Kilimanjaro. In about one and a half hour you can descend the mountain and relax at the camels camp.

Combinations of the various tours are very well possible.

Around Meru Adventure Safari

A camel safari in Mkuru can also well be combined with a visit to Arusha National Park. In two and a half day an adventurous tour can be made around Mount Meru. The first day you leave Arusha at noon and make an afternoon Game drive in Arusha National Park around the Momela Lakes. You spend the night at Momela Lodge and make the next morning a walking safari through the natural forests on the slopes of Mount Meru. In the afternoon you proceed to the Mkuru camel camp, where you make the camel ride the next day before you return late afternoon via the west side of Mount Meru to Arusha.

Guides

The guides are mainly young Maasai who grew up in the plains around Mount Meru, and are all well experienced in organizing camel safaris. They speak only limited English, but can explain a lot with hand signs. Especially on longer safaris it is advisable that the tour operator provides an extra guide who can translate Swahili into English.

Facilities

In the camp are three luxury cottages, that each provide room for two persons. The cottages share one outside toilet, from where you have an excellent view on Kilimanjaro. Camping equipment, including bush showers, is available for large groups. Except from tea of coffee with camel milk, there are no food and drinks for sale in the camp. On requests tour operators can make use of the kitchen with energy saving stoves to prepare meals for their clients.

view on Kilimanjaro. Camping equipment, including bush showers, is available for large groups. Except from tea of coffee with camel milk, there are no food and drinks for sale in the camp. On requests tour operators can make use of the kitchen with energy saving stoves to prepare meals for their clients.

A kindergarten for the Maasai

In the village of Mkuru there is no single primary school. Therefore, children who want to get education have to walk long distances every day to neighbouring villages. Especially for the younger children this distance is simply too far. In order to give also some education to their younger children, the Maasai have now started their own kindergarten in Mkuru. A part of the income generated from tourism will be used to support this kindergarten.

Tourist information

Visitors wishing to do a camel safari should camp overnight the day before in Mkuru and make arrangements for their safari the following day. To get to Mkuru by public transport from Arusha, you must first go to Usa River where you will transfer to another bus going to Ngarenanyuki village. Ngarenanyuki is in the same direction but past Arusha National Park. The Momella Lodge is located 5 km before Ngarenanyuki village. Guests can stay overnight at the Momella Lodge and request a driver to send a message to the camel camp. If you have your own transport, you can drive to Mkuru which is another 5 km from Ngarenanyuki, alternatively you can walk from Ngarenanyuki village to the camel camp.

For further information

Please contact your tour operator

or

TTB information Centre in Arusha

(Boma Road, Tel: 057 - 3842/3)