GHTTS
991 - Longido (Experience the real Maasai Cultures on foot).
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The
name Longido means the rocks or stones for sharpening weapons.
Longido is situated 80kms North of Arusha on the way to Nairobi.
The Town of Longido lies on the main road, just at the foot
of Longido Mountain. The Mountain rises up steeply from the
plains and forms an important point of orientation for people
in the wide surrounding. On the Mountain and surrounding plains
Maasai warriors wonder about with their cattle looking for pasture
and water. Once a week on Wednesdays, the cattle are herded
to a cattle market in Longido town for sale. Maasai families
live in small traditional Bomas scattered over the area. In
the early morning, women leave the Boma to fetch water and collect
firewood. At a very early age, young children play around mud
houses and also begin to take care of the infants and animals.
The area also is known for its ornithological sightings. The
plains and the slopes of the mountain forms a natural refuge
for the Gerenuks, Lesser Kundu, the Klipspringer, Giraffes,
zebras, Gazelles, Buffalos, Mongooses and some Silver Jackals.
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he
cultural tourism program has improved the lifestyle around this
remote town socially and economically e.g. the construction
of cattle dip, building of a primary school and establishment
of a common market to sell the traditional ware and animals.
The visit to this area can be done from Arusha, Moshi or Namanga
for half a day, full day and two days depending on time and
the Zeal to learn more about the Maasai.
PROGRAM
1.
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Half
a day tour.
Drive early in the morning after breakfast from Arusha or from
Namanga border to Longido town, register at the cultural tourism
program office where you will meet a guide after paying a fee
and start your Bird walk on the Maasai plains to the Bomas of
Ol Tepesi. The Maasai guides will help you to spot many colorful
birds and also show you trees and plants that they use for making
food and medicines. At Ol Tepesi, which is a Maasai word for
Acacia Tree, the guides will invite you into a Maasai Boma and
show their traditional way of life. Since it is known that cultural
tourism sponsored the cattle dip and is now investing in the
primary school, you will always get a warm welcome from both
children and adults. Back in Longido town office, the guide
will explain to you all the things you always wanted to know
about the Maasai culture. Proceed to either Arusha for an overnight
stay or Namanga border town to cross over to Kenya for your
next program. Picnic lunch enroute.
PROGRAM 2.
Full
day Tour.
The one day tour at a walking safari from Ol Tepesi to Kimokouwa,
along a narrow Maasai cattle trail, that winds over the slopes
of Longido mountain. In 2hrs time, you gradually climb from
the plains at an altitude of 1,200m to a view point at 1,600m.
on clear days, you will have beautiful views of Kilimanjaro
and Mount Meru, and once you arrive at the North side of the
Mountain, you can oversee the Maasai plains deep into Kenya.
The last hour , you descend to Kimokouwa's green "Valley
of wells". Nearby, you can visit a historic British Grave.
In ½ hrs walk, you can reach a Jeep road where a car
drives you back to Longido centre. Picnic lunch in action. On
Wednesdays, you can extend your stay with a visit to the bustling
colorful cattle market to enjoy the bargain.
PROGRAM
3.
2
Days Tour (climb Longido Mountain).
The
mountain is 2,637m. It is gentle but very spectacular. For the
visitors, with very strong desire for adventure this is the
place.
Day
1:
Transfer from either Namanga Border, Moshi or Arusha to Longido
Centre, then proceed to Kimokouwa campsite situated along a
Maasai cattle trail that winds over the slopes of Longido Mountain
visiting Maasai village enroute for dinner and overnight.
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Day
2: Guided
by Maasai warriors, leave the campsite early in the morning
and follow narrow footpaths through a dense natural forest.
After 3hrs, you arrive at the marvelous "Dawa ya Soup"
(Medicine Soup) view point. From here, you will follow trails
created by Buffaloes to reach the top in another 2 hrs climb.
With loud cries, the Maasai guide warns the Buffalos that people
are coming to avoid dangerous encounters. The views from the
top are simply unbelievable. On clear days, you can see for
more that 200kms and also view all Mountains of Northern Tanzania.
The descend of the steep Mountain is another challenge. In 3
hrs time you arrive back in the campsite, have a rest and in
another 1 ½ hrs, you reach the Jeep road where a car
will pick you. Picnic lunch in action. In the late afternoon,
time allows, you can join the Faraja Women Group for entertainment
or proceed direct to your next destination.
NB:
All the Maasai guides are young people who grew up in the area
and can speak some English and if they can't speak further,
they will use hand sign to show you the beauty of the area.
They know all attractions and dangers and have received tourism
training. On the walking safaris, the Maasai warriors are usually
armed with knives and spears to protect the visitor and themselves.
All guides must attend a Tour guide training seminar organized
by the cultural tourism program and must ware an identity card
as authorized.
GHTTS
995 -
Hadzabe Adventure and Ol Donyo Lengai (6 Days)
Day
1: Arusha - Lake Natron.
Leave Arusha for Engaruka, and visit Engaruka ruins - the rock
paintings on the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The paintings
estimated to be more than 500 years ago, painted by early Africans
who inhabited the area and lived in the caves. Proceed to Lake
Natron's Kamakia camp for dinner and a brief sleep to 23:00
HRS.
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Day
2: Lake Natron full day
At 00:00 HRS trek up Mt. Ol Donyo Lengai - the active volcano
mountain and one of Tanzania's most spectacular and undiscovered
climbs. Overlooking Lake Natron and the bush land of Kenya to
the north, Ol Donyo Lengai means the home of God. Everywhere
is bubbling and steaming, the volcano erupts sending small stream
of grey lava down the crater rim, and spitting hot ash high
into the air.
Descend from the summit to the base of the mountain and transferred
to Kamakia campsite arriving afternoon for lunch followed by
leisure relaxation or optional visit to the Lake Natron (a soda
lake) or walk to the water falls to get amazed. Dinner and overnight
at Kamakia camp.
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Day
3: Lake Natron - Serengeti National Park
Leave Kamakia camp for Serengeti National Park, drive passing
through Malambo village to Klein's Gate on the north side of
Serengeti. Afternoon games drive in Lobo area - Serengeti, en
route to Seronera camping site. Dinner and overnight at Seronera
campsite - Serengeti.
Day
4: Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater.
Morning game drive in Serengeti, then proceed for Ngorongoro
passing Naabi Hill Gate. Arriving late afternoon to the camping
site of Simba which is on the rim of the crater. Dinner and
overnight at Simba campsite.
Day
5: Ngorongoro - Lake Eyasi.
Descend into the Crater floor for full day crater tour. Then
drive in the evening to Lake Eyasi checking in at Bush Camp
for dinner and overnight.
Day
6: Lake Eyasi - Arusha.
After breakfast, visit the Hadzabe tribe (Bushmen) -and learn
their way of life and their traditional culture which refers
back to the early years of African life. Drive to Arusha with
picnic lunch enroute arriving in the evening.
