Kilimanjaro foothills eco lodge, Tanzania
| country: | Tanzania |
| location: | Lyamungo village, 27 km NW of Moshi |
| price: | From US $160 per room per night |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
description
Set in the beautiful foothills of Kilimanjaro, on a ridge overlooking the Weruweru Gorge, this accommodation is a community-based project implemented to bring in extra income via tourism to the small-scale coffee farmers in the area.
This eco lodge at the foothills of Kilimanjaro is hosted by local families who look after the guests, cook the food and make sure that a stay there is very comfortable. Accommodation is of a basic yet good standard in chalets based on the traditional architecture of the local Chagga tribe, each thatched with banana leaves. All have twin wrought iron beds with linen, and the ensuite bathrooms have western style showers and toilets. This gives an authentic experience of what life is like for the farmers in the region while retaining some of the comforts of home. Recreating these huts, albeit with appropriate modifications, has renewed an interest in traditions and architecture of the region that was fast declining in favour of breeze-blocks and tin roofs.
The surrounding area is lush and fertile, with abundant valleys and gorges, and on a clear day there is an amazing view of Kilimanjaro’s summit - Kibo peak. It is ideal country for exploring on foot, and a variety of guided walks are available, varying in duration from 1 hour up to 2 days. These include trips along the river valley, cultural tours (including traditional huts and a blacksmith) and visits to nearby caves once used by the Chagga to shelter from Maasai raiders.
An alternative to walking is to explore the area on horseback, on rides of either half a day or a full day. Rather unexpectedly, the river also offers some trout fishing as trout were introduced to these waters back in colonial times. Guests can visit coffee farmers in their homesteads to learn and practice coffee production and processing.
The project currently offers a range of half day activities:
Coffee tour: A local coffee farmer shows the visitor the whole process of coffee production. The excursion includes a local prepared lunch at the farm, coffee berry picking, explanation about organic coffee farming and fairtrade standards, processing of coffee berries, preparation and drinking of local coffee at the farm.
Chagga history hike. Guided walk by a farmer experiencing the daily life of the Chagga people, a visit to a real Chagga traditional house and exploration of the mysterious Chagga caves.
Cultural village walk. Includes a visit to local church, visit to a primary or secondary school in the village and visit to a local market.
Weruweru river hike in Lyamungo or Mongyoni Falls adventure at Uru.
One explores the natural beauty of the forest and the rivers on the slopes of mount Kilimanjaro in 4-7 hours. The guides know all interesting stories and myths that relate to Mongyoni.
This eco lodge at the foothills of Kilimanjaro is hosted by local families who look after the guests, cook the food and make sure that a stay there is very comfortable. Accommodation is of a basic yet good standard in chalets based on the traditional architecture of the local Chagga tribe, each thatched with banana leaves. All have twin wrought iron beds with linen, and the ensuite bathrooms have western style showers and toilets. This gives an authentic experience of what life is like for the farmers in the region while retaining some of the comforts of home. Recreating these huts, albeit with appropriate modifications, has renewed an interest in traditions and architecture of the region that was fast declining in favour of breeze-blocks and tin roofs.
The surrounding area is lush and fertile, with abundant valleys and gorges, and on a clear day there is an amazing view of Kilimanjaro’s summit - Kibo peak. It is ideal country for exploring on foot, and a variety of guided walks are available, varying in duration from 1 hour up to 2 days. These include trips along the river valley, cultural tours (including traditional huts and a blacksmith) and visits to nearby caves once used by the Chagga to shelter from Maasai raiders.
An alternative to walking is to explore the area on horseback, on rides of either half a day or a full day. Rather unexpectedly, the river also offers some trout fishing as trout were introduced to these waters back in colonial times. Guests can visit coffee farmers in their homesteads to learn and practice coffee production and processing.
special things to do and see at this Kilimanjaro foothills eco lodge, Tanzania
The project currently offers a range of half day activities:Coffee tour: A local coffee farmer shows the visitor the whole process of coffee production. The excursion includes a local prepared lunch at the farm, coffee berry picking, explanation about organic coffee farming and fairtrade standards, processing of coffee berries, preparation and drinking of local coffee at the farm.
Chagga history hike. Guided walk by a farmer experiencing the daily life of the Chagga people, a visit to a real Chagga traditional house and exploration of the mysterious Chagga caves.
Cultural village walk. Includes a visit to local church, visit to a primary or secondary school in the village and visit to a local market.
Weruweru river hike in Lyamungo or Mongyoni Falls adventure at Uru.
One explores the natural beauty of the forest and the rivers on the slopes of mount Kilimanjaro in 4-7 hours. The guides know all interesting stories and myths that relate to Mongyoni.
rooms, food and facilities
At Lyamungo, visitors are accommodated in traditional Chagga huts thatched with banana leaves. The current capacity is 4 huts, with ensuite bathroom, Western styled toilets and hot showers, twin bedded, full-board only. An additional hut is furnished as kitchen and restaurant facility.
The campsite at Uru village is equipped with Western type toilets and hot bath showers. It is mainly for tourist groups with camping equipments (tents and sleeping bags). A small restaurant and bar services provided by women groups. Activities and guidance by well trained local guides are available in all sites.
Family friendly: Children above 10 years of age and travelling with their parents are allowed. The project does not have child care facilities at the moment.
By public transport: All sites accessible by public transport from Moshi town.
By road: One can hire a taxi or minibus depending on the size of a group.
The campsite at Uru village is equipped with Western type toilets and hot bath showers. It is mainly for tourist groups with camping equipments (tents and sleeping bags). A small restaurant and bar services provided by women groups. Activities and guidance by well trained local guides are available in all sites.
Family friendly: Children above 10 years of age and travelling with their parents are allowed. The project does not have child care facilities at the moment.
how to find this Kilimanjaro foothills eco lodge, Tanzania
By air: The tourist huts are located in Lyamungo village-Kibera (27km) North West of Moshi town at an altitude of 1,500 masl. Our campsite and restaurant is situated in Uru-North village approximately 20 km north of Moshi town at an altitude of about 1500 masl. Also tourists can visit coffee farmers in other rural cooperative societies in Hai district (Nkwansora, Lemira or Isuki villages). By public transport: All sites accessible by public transport from Moshi town.
By road: One can hire a taxi or minibus depending on the size of a group.
how this holiday makes a difference
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This eco lodge at the foothills of Kilimanjaro is now owned by the local people, brings a salary to the host families, and brings funds to help community development projects. The project aims to provide a sustainable tourism venture which brings additional income and security to the local coffee producers living on the slopes of Kilimanjaro.
Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union who coordinates coffee farmers' activities owns 50% of the project while Rural Cooperative Societies (Coffee producers –who are registered members to the Union and selling their coffee to KNCU) owns 50% of the venture. There is one Project Manager who manages and coordinates all project activities. He is employed by KNCU and paid a salary. There are 3 families (Host Families) who get direct income from the tourists. The 3 cooks from the families are paid directly when they attend to visitors. There is 1 local tour guide who also gets paid for his services to the tourists. Communities benefit indirectly from the project from the funds set aside for community-based activities such as; school building, coffee seedling nurseries. Some organised groups and individuals directly get payments through guiding and by selling food staff to the project.  The local people also provide crafts and other items to the tourists. Families and the community are informed during meetings about management of waste resulting from tourism. Environmental protection education is given to community whenever there is a meeting. Families receive 28% of the collection from this lodge. Local communities get 50% of the income set aside for community development activities. |
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