Ikoma

Ikoma: Africa Natural Tours

AFRICA NATURAL TOURS (The best tour company in Tanzania)

Specialized in: Mountain climbing, Wildlife safaris, Cultural tourism and Beach holidays

Contact +255 653 679 958 OR +255 692 436 113

Email-info@africanaturaltours.com

Ikoma cultural tourism is situated on the western side of Serengeti National Park 90 Km from Ikoma gate. Ikoma cultural tourism exposes visitors the way of life of Ikoma people.

* The of Ikoma offer the following to their esteemed visitors:

* Visit to Waikoma bomas

* Visit to Ikoma cultural centre

* Traditional dance of the Ikoma tribe

* Stay with Waikoma family to enjoy traditional food and explore their lifestyle

* Participate in traditional events and ceremonies

* Visit community development project, local schools and health centre’s found in the areas. See how people are struggling to overcome the big human enemy, disease.

* Farm tour whereby you will see people practicing different forms of agriculture 

Ikoma Tribe Cultural Tour and Nyichoka hill hiking (2-3 hours)

After a warm welcome at the Ikoma Cultural Centre, a round tour in the Ikoma Cultural Museum will give you an insight of the history of the people and their way of life. Get to know their origin and their daily activities that originated from hunting and gathering along the Serengeti migration. A tour of a short hike to Nyichoka hill will take you to a panoramic view of the village. On the way up, get to know different species of trees and animals which are found in the area and how local people use them. An entertainment by Ikoma traditional dancers is guaranteed to visitors on request.

Ikoma Boma tour (1-3 hours)

Visit Ikoma bomas and see the life style of this tribe, you can see how they prepare their food also you will have a story teller narrating a very interesting traditional history of Ikoma people.

Farm Tour (2-4 hrs)

Visit the village farmers, the guide will be explaining different methods of farming practiced by Ikoma people and show other economic activities practiced such as beekeeping and environmental conservation initiatives.

Herding Tour (2 hours)

The tour is conducted in different areas at different seasons of the year due to livestock pasture rotation. One will get to visit the Ikoma people herding cattle & goats where an opportunity to learn livestock keeping and ways to look for nice pastures around is guaranteed. Visitors will get to see and appreciate division of labor amongst family members in taking care of the livestock which is the main Ikoma people economic base. The tour is done in the evening or morning hours from the time cattle & goats are about to get out or back into a boma where milking activities and heading cattle and goats in their respective pastures or kraals takes place. The visit will give you a chance to see how the Ikoma Milk their cows as this practice is performed daily in the morning and evening.

Traditional Dance (30 minutes - 1 hour)

The energetic Waikoma traditional dance will give you an insight into Waikoma culture by their captivating songs and dancing. You can experience and even participate in variety of dances symbolizing various occasions and traditional events such as marriage ceremony, dance for bride price giving, birth of first born, dance when preparing their food, warriors and victory celebrations.

Traditional fire making

The energetic Waikoma traditional fire making where by the people make fire using tree and they conserve the environment because one small piece of tree can make fire in many years.

Volunteer Programme

Ikoma community receives volunteers who are interested to work in health, community development, education and art training. If interested, please let us know soon so that we can arrange a wonderful volunteering experience for you.

Community development projects (school and Health centers)

Visit a local school where you can interact with the students and teachers. Arrangements are made to allow maximum interaction with students where you can exchange and learn from each other, play various games.

Scholarship project

Ikoma Cultural Tourism has been sponsoring children from poor families for primary and secondary education. The portion of the tour fees have been a main source of the funds to run this sponsorship project. Your visit to Ikoma makes a great contribution to poverty reduction and education improvement for local people.

Where to stay

The only accommodation facility available is the Ikoma Cultural Centre Hostel with four rooms and a homestay with two rooms in Ikoma Cultura Centre located in Nyichoka village. There is a number of guest houses and hotels which are available within and around Mugumu town (30 minutes drive). Camping ground is available where visitors use their own camping equipments. There is an option for overnight stay in one of the families in village.

The programme coordinator or our tour guides can make arrangements for home-stays and overnights in local guest houses, hotels and lodges when making a cultural expedition of several days within and around Ikoma area.

Tour guides

The guides of the Cultural Tourism Programme are indigenous of Ikoma area who speaks English and have experience in tour guiding in the area. The guides are very charming and will accompany you in various sites and activities of your interest.

Bookings for various excursions and tours can be made at Tanzania Tourist Board Tourist Information offices of Arusha and Dar es Salaam or through your tour operator/lodge/ hotel. Direct bookings are also possible through contacts provided below.

Getting there

Ikoma cultural centre is located in western Serengeti about 90km from Ikoma gate of Serengeti National Park.

For more information visit www.africanaturaltours.com