Rau Eco and Cultural Tourism

Rau Eco and Cultural Tourism: 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

Come and explore Kilimanjaro’s natural paradise!

Rau Eco and Cultural Tourism is a community-based tourism enterprise in the Moshi-Kilimanjaro region with its base office near MjiMpya Secondary School. Located only 3 km southeast of Moshi town in an area of high ground water fed by run-off from Mt. Kilimanjaro, the village is an ideal place to visit to explore the Rau Natural Forest and culture of the Kilimanjaro people.

We people of Rau Forest area have organized the following tours for our esteemed visitors:

* Nature walks in Rau Forest Reserve

* Bird watching tour

* Cultural village walks

* Rice farm tours in Mandaka-Mnono and Mabogini villages

* Hot local lunch

* Moshi town local Market Tours and a number of traditional activities that give visitors a good insight into African culture

* Cycling tours to Lake Chala and Chemka Hotspring

* Homestay and camping

Rau Forest Nature Walk (2-3 hours)

Explore a natural African forest reserve, in which several cultural tourism activities are allowed, which exposes visitors to an abundance of nature covered by unique tree species. On your walk, you will spot blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys and a number of forest bird species. Listen to stories and various uses of various trees including the sparkling very old tree’s spanning of up to 200 years. Visit the sacred tree Mvule (Miliciaexcelsa) believed to be 196 years old regularly visited by locals to pray (an act closely associated with superstitions) for different needs. Outside the forest is a great view of Rice plantations dotted with water birds of different colours.

Rice Farms Tour in Mandaka Mnono and Mabogini (1-3 hours)

Do you know what it takes to have rice? Come get an insight on how rice is cultivated by local farmers in the lowland areas of Kilimanjaro. You will walk through beautiful and scenic rice paddies of Mabogini Village. Our tour guide will explain to you all steps it takes from farm preparation, planting to harvesting. The tour always ends at a local family where one will have a chance to taste various rice dishes such as Wali, Pilau and Vitumbua. There is so much one might not know that can be learned from Tanzanian local rice farmers.

Bird Watching Tour (1-3 hours)

This tour offers you an opportunity to identify forest birds and waterlogged bird species as well as other seasonal migratory birds that feeds in the rice farms. The sounds of birds singing plus other insects in the forest will multiply your joy.

Local Market Tour (1-3 hours)

You will get an insight into a typical African market and get to know what people eat and use in their daily life in Kilimanajaro through a local market. The market tour is combined with a visit to historical sites like the Commonwealth World War grave yards as well as learning and participating in the artwork of the Makonde craftsmen of Kilimanjaro.

Kilimanjaro Cycling Tours

We organize several cycling tours around Kilimanjaro to bring our visitors closer to local people, get scenic views and visit exciting attractive sites.

Moshi to Chemka Hot Spring Cycling Tour (3 days)

Day 1: You will leave Moshi for Rundugai village through various traditional Chagga villages with nice landscapes covering about 20 km. Chemka Hotspring is unique and one of the best natural swimming pools in Africa. Its water is about 28C and is in constant movement as it emerges from the rocks. Take time to enjoy swimming before and after picnic lunch under majestic fig trees. You will further explore the night here camping under the fig tree, participate in preparing Maasai barbecue and listen to a story teller around a camp fire.

Day 2: After breakfast, you will visit a local Maasai family and learn about their day-to-day life. You will participate in barbecue preparation, cattle herding and farming activities. You will have an opportunity to stay with a local family for a whole day and overnight.

Day 3: Farewell day. Return to Moshi on bike or proceed to Arusha by bus or Kilimanjaro International Airport through traditional Maasai villages on your way to the next destination.

Moshi to Lake Challa Cycling Tour (3 days)

Day 1: You will explore the timeless beauty of Challa Crater Lake that lies on the eastern bloc of the Roof of Africa — Kilimanjaro. The cycling can start from Moshi town or from Himo Township (Dar-es-salaam-Marangu junction) and go through scenic traditional villages to the Challa. Enjoy camping on Challa’s Crater rim, a natural paradise with lovely sounds of nature.

Day 2: Proceed to Chagga people’s territory on your cycling tour, learn how to prepare Mbege (famous Chagga local brew), visit banana and coffee farms.

Day 3: Cycling back to Moshi town along the green belt of Kilimanjaro. You can opt to visit one of the waterfalls on your farewell day. On clear days, one will see the two peaks of Kilimanjaro.

Volunteer opportunities

We welcome volunteers who are interested in working with us in environmental conservation activities in our forest and in the neighboring community. You will be involved in establishing a tree nursery, and collecting tree seeds from the forest and surrounding villages. You can be a part of the Tree Planting Project, which is an exciting giving-back-to-nature activity to restore the environment. One can develop sound projects in community areas in collaboration with our office.

Where to stay

There are various tourist hotels and guest houses in Moshi town where a tourist can choose to stay. In Rau area, we have a campsite and homestay programme where one can spend a night with local family.

Getting there

Rau Eco and Cultural Tourism Enterprise is located 3 km south of Moshi town near Mji Mpya Secondary School and Rau Forest entrance gate.

For more information visit www.africanaturaltours.com