Experience real Tanzanian village life in Mto wa Mbu

Visit Mto wa Mbu to experience life in a thriving village which lies on an escarpment in the Great Rift Valley. This is a very successful agricultural area because of the volcanic soil and spring water that runs down from the escarpment, allowing for year-round irrigation. Mto wa Mbu also sits on the road from the Serengeti to Ngorongoro, so it’s become a key trading point, home to people from over 120 different tribes. It’s a great place for guests to get a taste of local culture and farming traditions.

The walking tour usually lasts two hours and can be tailored to your interests. As you explore, you’ll see farmers on motorcycles transporting bunches of bananas and women carrying huge baskets of produce on their heads, chatting with their friends. You’ll pass the school and walk around the market, which is full of stalls selling vegetables and fruit. Along the way, you’ll get to talk to the traders selling their crafts, as well as food vendors who serve meals straight from a large pot. If you’re brave enough, you can even test the fiery, locally-brewed alcohol.

Guests enjoy touring a nearby rice paddy and banana farm, where you’ll get to meet the farmers and learn how food is grown and harvested. I think the highlight of the whole tour is the social interaction. Local people know that we pay a fee for the tour, which goes back into helping the community, so they’re very happy to have visitors. In our culture, we live like a family and consider each other brother and sister, so you’ll be greeted warmly. Nowadays, I don’t think travel is just about seeing wildlife, it’s about meeting real people – that’s why I’d recommend visiting Mto wa Mbu.