Usambara mountains. Lushoto

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Trip Start Sep 25, 2009 Previous
Entry Trip End Oct 27, 2009

  Lushoto, Tanzania
Tuesday, November 3, 2009

We have a two night stop in the beautiful Usambara Mountains to explore this lovely unspoilt area of Tanzania. Unlike the coast and the north, very few tourists visit this area and so it has a freshness that can be hard to find elsewhere. The mountains are located in the north east of Tanzania between Kilimanjaro and the Indian Ocean and overlook the vast Masai steppe. They are wonderfully lush and green and the area has been dubbed the Galapagos of the plant world. The forests stretch across the mountains and are ideal for easy hikes and guided walks. As beautiful as the place is, its real jewel are the local peoples and villages. The area has a reputation for gentle hospitality and we will visit some of the small communities. We base ourselves at the old German colony of Lushoto where we stay in one of the earliest hotels in Africa. From here we will organise a short days walking trip out to the beautiful Irente viewpoint and on our way back visit a local village cultural and ecological project based at Irente farm.

Amani Children's Home
We spend an afternoon in Moshi visiting this very worthwhile institution and meeting the children and helpers. We will take a tour and learn how Amani and the Intrepid Foundation endeavours to restore hope to children who've been living on the streets. Then as school finishes we will spend time with the children, playing games, making crafts or out on the football field. For more information on this project visit www.amanikids.org.

Mishiri Village Educational Project
Beginning with a walking tour of Mshiri Village, the base for the Village Education Project, which is funded to a large extent by Dragoman partners, Intrepid Guerba. Here we can witness the day-to-day life of the Chagga people, long established as crop-growers on the fertile slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro. We visit their homes, walk around the shamba (farm), visit the primary school as well as the other institutions where local young people are taught various skills. Lunch provides more opportunity to sample the local Chagga food, which is very fulfilling. We also visit nearby waterfalls and stop to admire the view of the plains below. For more information on the Village Education Project visit www.kiliproject.org.

Mount Kilimanjaro
An overnight stay in the Marangu area allows for viewing of Mount Kilimanjaro. If you want to see the mountain, don't oversleep as the morning often allows the best views. We suggest that if you are feeling particularly hearty, get up early to walk just up the track from the campsite to the gates of the Kilimanjaro National Park.

Arusha
We will be stopping en route in Arusha. Arusha is Tanzania's second major city and used to be the capital of the East African community. The town sits in lush countryside near the foot of Mount Meru and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Surrounding it are many coffee, wheat and maize estates tended by the Arusha and Meru people. The town is the centre of Tanzania's safari business and is bustling and busy..

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