Cycling tour in Mto wa Mbu
- September 29, 2020
- 94
- Arusha Travel Blog
Cycling tour in Mto wa Mbu: If you prefer to see the surrounding countryside with the flexibility of being on two wheels, then a bike tour is highly recommended. Guided by a guide you will cycle through the green surroundings of Mto wa Mbu during this 2-3 hour excursion. You drive through the village, banana plantations, rice fields and also stop at the shore of Lake Manyara National Park.
After the cycling tour around the park visit the local community that lives in Mtu Wa Mbu village to learn about their culture. After the tour, stop at one of the local restaurants for a hot lunch before proceeding with a short ascent to the rift valley escarpment for spectacular views of Lake Manyara National Part and the rest of the landscape. This is where flamingos and wildebeest often mingle on the shore.
Cultural Programme and Eco-Tourism
Mto Wa Mbu Village has a very active cultural programme that seeks to show visitors the traditional way of life of the villagers through various activities and also a range of community projects that are in place. You can visit top spots in the area, taste Tanzanian foods and experience authentic cultural interaction.
A small fee is charged for each activity which is then used to support income-generating projects such as the production of energy-efficient stoves and the development of irrigation systems. Students will find the village and its people to be a great resource for information on Tanzania. Everyday topics can be explored as well as more complex subjects like politics, history and culture, wildlife and legends.
There are a number of excellent walking, hiking and biking tours offered in the village ranging in length from a couple of hours to a full day (bikes can be hired in the village):
- Village Tour – try banana beer, visit a traditional home, learn about Makonde carving
- Village Lunch – enjoy a home-cooked meal the traditional way
- Farm Visit – discover what the villagers grow and how they do it
- Maasai Tour – visit a traditional boma (enclosure), interact with tribal members in various activities
- Maasai Market -weekly market on Thursday afternoons or the monthly market on the 22nd
- Balaa Hill – this is a climb up the Rift Valley Wall for magnificent views and good birding
- Miwaleni Lake and Waterfall – see ancient Baobab trees and swim in the pool below the falls
- Lake Manyara – bike through a wildlife corridor to the shores of the lake
Wildlife
Mto Wa Mbu Village is located in the midst of 2 wildlife corridors – age old paths that animals use for migration. Animals commonly seen in the area include Elephant, Hippo, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Zebra and Gazelle as well as Monkey and Baboon. The Big Five can also be seen in nearby national parks.
Accommodation
There is a variety of accommodation to choose from in the village including a classic lodge and a neat camping site.
Where is Mto Wa Mbu Village?
The village is located in Northern Tanzania 120km (74 miles) away from the town of Arusha, by tarred road. There is regular bus transport between the village and Arusha or visitors can fly-in to Lake Manyara airstrip. The main water sources in the area are the Mahamoud, Kirurumu and Magadini Rivers.
Add Comment