MONDULI JUU

MAMBA AND MARANGU

Situated 50 Km north-west of Arusha on the road to the National Parks of Ngorongoro and Serengeti. Monduli Juu is a cluster of four small Maasai villages namely Emairete, Enguiki, Eluwai and Mfereji. The name ‘Monduli’ originates from a place in Monduli Juu where a wealthy Maasai ancestor called ‘Monduli’ used to live in former German colonial times. The Monduli Mountains together with Monduli town lie on the right hand side if you are heading to these parks. Monduli is the capital of Monduli district and is a town that you’ll have to pass when you are going to Monduli Juu.

Emairete consists of a wonderful crater where, in former times, the cattle of only medicine men were supposed to graze. Enguiki village is named for its famous pastures. Eluwai is a village named after the trees where certain small ants have their habitat and the trees whistle in the wind. Mfereji is a village down the escarpment that, a long time ago, developed from a place where a South African lived who dug a ditch to bring water down from the Monduli Mountains.

The following is on offer to visitors on this walking tour:

• A picturesque journey through the evergreen rain forest.
• A medical tour of plants and herbs, which includes a visit to a traditional Maasai herbs doctor.
• A visit to Naramatu: a small ‘factory’ where Maasai jewelry is made.
• Traditional nyama choma’ with our Maasai warriors in ‘Orpul’ where you’ll cut the meat yourself.
• Astonishing panoramic views overlooking the Rift valley, Oldonyo Lengai, Lake Natron.
• An insight into the cultural differences between Maasai and Waarusha.

Walking and Climbing Tours

There are tours available for half day, full day, two, three and four days. They are as follows: -

The ‘Kona Saba’ Escarpment climb

The tour starts at Mfereji village, and includes a visit to a Maasai boma. From there you walk through typical tree savanna to the foot of the escarpment. Climbing the ’Kona Saba’ (Seven corners). From the escarpment you can oversee beautiful panoramic views of the rift valley, over Kitumbeine, Longido up to Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Mount Lengai.

The Evergreen Rain Forest Tour

Starting point is Enguiki at the edge of the forest from where you walk to Kilele, the eastern peak of the Monduli Mountains. Enroute to a water source in the middle of the forest, you will be acquainted with trees, birds and animal species (e.g. Bushbuck, weavers, elephants, black monkey…) typical to the area.

The Medicinal Herbs tour

The tour starts the Emairete dam from where you walk passing the Maasai church, the Primary School, Kindergarten project up to Naramatu, where you can get herbal tea. Going further up the mountain to the ex-Eye Hospital from where you can admire the wonderful Monduli Juu Panorama. Savor lunch in a Maasai Along the way the guide will explain about the different medicinal herbs used by the Maasai and you will visit a traditional medicinal herbs doctor.

Basic camp for the 3 nights in Enguiki village, Norkuman - ‘Hill of the Clubs’.

Day 1: - Visit the famous water hole and ascend to the extensive panorama from the ‘Kona Saba’ escarpment where you can see Mount Longido, Kilimanjaro, Meru and Kitumbeine. In the evening a Maasai elder will tell a wonderful story for those who want.
Day 2:- Go down to Mfereji and visit a Maasai Boma and come back to Norkuman.
Day 3: - Visit Enguiki village with its Primary school, Dispensary and Monduli forest. Overnight at Jackson Camp.
Day 4: - Visit to Emairete village with its ex-eye Hospital, Primary School, Dispensary and the kindergarten project.

NB: - A customised tour can be organised on request

Facilities
In Monduli Juu there are 4 local families who offer camping sites. Three of them have basic standards and no running water. The Esserian Maasai Camp site is fairly well equipped and has running water when ordered in time. All have dip toilets and firewood.

Meals
Meals are prepared in clean conditions by local families. The women can make various traditional African meals but can serve western food as well according to taste.

Guides
Taking into consideration that all our guides are Maasai, they speak reasonable English. They are familiar with the area and can tell you many stories about history and daily life of the Maasai and Waarusha people. Our guides wear an identity card of the Cultural Tourism Programme.
Please avoid walking with unauthorized guides.

Recommended Equipment
Good walking shoes, sun cap, sun cream and drinking water. Optional binoculars if interested in bird life. If you want to sleep over you’ll need camping equipment, anti malaria pills and torch.

Responsible tourism: -
• Nature is precious. Villagers are asking visitors to leave as little litter as possible on their journey.
• Our culture is also precious. Please respect the customs of the people so that tourism will not disturb our culture.
• It is advised that women avoid wearing shorts along with shirts which expose the midsection.
• At the same time, permission should always be sought before a picture is taken. And it is best to have cameras concealed before asking for permission to take any photographs is given.

NB: Income from tourist visits will be used to set up and run a kindergarten in Monduli Juu

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The people of Ilkidingà at the foot hills of Mount Meru offer you a view into the culture of the Wa-Arusha tribe and welcome you in local households. Come and hike around the village at the foot of Mount Meru where the sound of the rivers, birds and people are in harmony.

The following is on offer:-
• A visit to a local traditionally built homestead to see how an extended family live together
• A walk through coffee plantations and open fields where potatoes, cabbages, maize, beans, and other cash crops are cultivated by the villagers.
• A visit to a traditional healer, who will answer all your questions and give you advice if needed.
• A visit to craftsmen making small wooden stools, jewelery, knives and traditional clothing
• Enjoy a traditional meal prepared by the Mainyoito Women’s Group at one of the households.
• Visit the primary school which benefits from the funds generated from the tourist visits to the area.
• The pleasure of enjoying the panoramic views overlooking Arusha town, hiking along narrow footpaths, crossing a canyon, and climbing small hills.

You can take a half day tour, full day tour or a 3 day south-west Meru cultural hike.The fourth option would be to participate in an 8-hour walking safari from Arusha and combine it with the full day tour.

Day 1: - Walk uphill to Sembeo’s Boma. Cross Ngarenaro river and walk through Mikhasi Forest to Timbolo to spend the night.
Day 2: - Cross the Ngareolmotonyi river and walk uphill to Olkokola and further to Ilkurot to spend the night.
Day 3: - Walk to Muklat and Ngaramtoni for the weekly Maasai market. After lunch, walk or drive back to Arusha.

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Customised half day, full day ar two day walking safaris can be organised.

Mamba and Marangu in the Kilimanjaro area have both natural and cultural heritage to offer the visitor. There are seven waterfalls in the vicinity, unique flora with tree, flower and fruit nurseries and fauna. Tour the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and ascend to beautiful viewpoints.

Tours through Marangu can afford panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Visit the home and memorial of the late Yohana Lauwo, a Marangu native who accompanied Dr. Hans Meyer on the first recorded climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in 1889 and read the original log books of Lauwo.

Mamba is a paradise for bird-watchers and nature lovers.Enjoy scenic waterfalls, trees, flower and fruit nurseries, pass historical sites including the Laka Holes - larger hiding caves used during the Chagga - Maasai wars.

The following attractions can be found here: -

• Waterfalls (Kinukamori,Moonjo and Ndoro)
• An ancient Chagga house with straw roofing.
• A visit to an underground tunnel
• A visit to a local blacksmith using ethnic methods to prepare spears and tools
• See the oldest church in Kilema
• The preparation of local brew, 'mbege' - banana beer
• See the first coffee tree planted in Tanzania
• Climb up Ngangu Hill
• A visit to the African Art Centre that houses a collection of ancient and modern sculptures, carvings and paintings
• A visit a wood carving school
• Experience Chagga culture by visiting a traditional Chagga house
• The preparation of local brew, 'mbege' - banana beer

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Mulala village is a typical rural setting on the slopes of Mt. Meru surrounded by spectacular scenery. Thw women of Mulala have set up a women's group (Agape Women's Group) which is geared towards income generating projects such as the Mulala Cultural Tourism Program.

The activities that have been organised by the group include: -

- A tour of Mama Anna's quaint cheese making unit, this being the starting point of the tour.
- A nice garden where you can relax and enjoy a beverage or a simple traditional meal.
- Guided tours criss-crossing coffee and banana farms, walking through the forest reserve or by the Marisha river bank and enjoying the spectacular views of Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Enjoy the scenic Marisha river bank, thick with tropical vegetation and home to colorful birds and primates. The guide will show you the most common medicinal plants used by the villagers. You may continue to 'Ziwa la Mzungu' (White man's lake) to see a big colony of fruit bats.

Criss-cross the coffee and banana farms and head up Lemeka Hill for breathtaking views of mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro and of the Maasai plains. Also visit the farm of Moses Kaoiya, the traditional healer of the village.

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