Mto Wa Mbu village Tour The bustling farming community of Mto Wa Mbu, located between Manyara and Ngorongoro, is home to around 18,000 people. Spend half a day here with a knowledgeable local guide and you’ll discover a side of Tanzania that many vis
Mto Wa Mbu village Tour The bustling farming community of Mto Wa Mbu, located between Manyara and Ngorongoro, is home to around 18,000 people. Spend half a day here with a knowledgeable local guide and you’ll discover a side of Tanzania that many visitors miss. Your guide is likely to be from the village itself so you will have an opportunity to see the community through the guide’s eyes. During your visit you’ll get a good feel for the social side of the village – the farms and the milling machines, the schools, markets and churches. Tours last around 2–3 hours, but are flexible. You may do some (or all!) of the following: You will probably start in the village banana plantation, where the community grows more than 30 different varieties of bananas. As well as finding out how this staple fruit is grown, you’ll hear about the different uses of the plant as a whole, from food to materials for building and art. You may visit a youth art project, and learn about the different painting styles and techniques. You can visit a wood workshop, where you can watch skilled members of the Makonde tribe carefully carving intricate figurines, masks and household objects. They’ll show you the different types of wood and finishings and explain some of the historical and cultural meanings behind the carvings. You can even have a go at doing some carving yourself! The artists are happy for you to ask questions and take photos. You may visit a local ‘bar’ to try mbege, the traditional banana and millet beer that is brewed and drunk mainly by the Chagga tribe. The process of making this brew is quite labour intensive, and the beer is usually served in one large cup, which is passed around the group, and refilled as needed. Your tour will probably finish in the bustling local market, where you can wander around stalls selling fruit and vegetables stalls, spices and meat. Your guide will stop and explain points of interest, and give you the opportunity to try and smell a variety of foods. Key Facts: Location: Mto wa Mbu village, Manyara region Duration: ~2–3 hours (varies by transport) Modes of Transport: Walking, biking, or Bajaj (tuk-tuk) What to Wear: Comfortable clothes, walking shoes, hat, and sunglasses
Geographic Profile
Daily walking times range from 4 to 7 hours across distinct biomes (rainforest, heath, alpine desert, and arctic summit scree). Elevation gains are strategically calculated to give your body adequate time to produce oxygen-carrying red blood cells naturally.
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5Days Itinerary
Day by day • Detailed daily breakdown
The bustling farming community of Mto Wa Mbu, located between Manyara and Ngorongoro, is home to around 18,000 people. Spend half a day here with a knowledgeable local guide and you’ll discover a side of Tanzania that many visitors miss. Your guide is likely to be from the village itself so you will have an opportunity to see the community through the guide’s eyes. During your visit you’ll get a good feel for the social side of the village – the farms and the milling machines, the schools, markets and churches. Tours last around 2–3 hours, but are flexible. You may do some (or all!) of the following: You will probably start in the village banana plantation, where the community grows more than 30 different varieties of bananas. As well as finding out how this staple fruit is grown, you’ll hear about the different uses of the plant as a whole, from food to materials for building and art.
You may visit a youth art project, and learn about the different painting styles and techniques. You can visit a wood workshop, where you can watch skilled members of the Makonde tribe carefully carving intricate figurines, masks and household objects. They’ll show you the different types of wood and finishings and explain some of the historical and cultural meanings behind the carvings. You can even have a go at doing some carving yourself! The artists are happy for you to ask questions and take photos.
You may visit a local ‘bar’ to try mbege, the traditional banana and millet beer that is brewed and drunk mainly by the Chagga tribe. The process of making this brew is quite labour intensive, and the beer is usually served in one large cup, which is passed around the group, and refilled as needed.
Your tour will probably finish in the bustling local market, where you can wander around stalls selling fruit and vegetables stalls, spices and meat. Your guide will stop and explain points of interest, and give you the opportunity to try and smell a variety of foods.
What to Wear: Comfortable clothes, walking shoes, hat, and sunglasses
On trekking itineraries, we provide four-season expedition mountain tents with thick high-density foam sleeping pads, private chemical toilet tents, and a spacious all-weather mess tent with dining tables and back-supported chairs. On safari days, lodging matches your chosen comfort tier (hand-picked eco-lodges or luxury tented safari camps with en-suite bathrooms and solar hot water).
Preparation
This trip requires good cardiovascular fitness and leg endurance. Prior mountaineering experience is not mandatory, but you should be capable of walking 5 to 7 hours per day with a 6–8 kg daypack. We recommend 8 to 12 weeks of training before departure: stair climbing, trail hiking with a loaded backpack, and aerobic workouts (jogging, swimming, cycling).
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Custom Quote on Request
Pricing varies according to seasonal park permits, group size, and tailored lodging choices.
Private Treks: Start any day of the year you choose. No penalty for solo or duo parties.
Open Group Treks: Scheduled weekly departures during the dry seasons (June–October & December–March).
Solo Climbers: Join an existing open departure or book a dedicated private expedition.
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The Explore Cultural Tour of Mto Wa Mbu VillageTanzania Safari runs for 5 days. It starts with Arrival & Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and finishes with Final Morning Game Drive & Return Transfer.
Included: All government taxes and 18% Value Added Tax (VAT); All meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner); All national park entrance, conservation and transit fees; Complimentary bottled drinking water and tea/coffee during game drives; Custom 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and guaranteed window seat; High-quality binoculars and reference wildlife field guides in vehicle; Pick-up and drop-off transfers in Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO); Professional English-speaking wilderness guides & certified safari drivers. The full list of inclusions and exclusions is on this page.
This trip is rated moderate.
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Common questions
Most of our packages include accommodation, meals, park fees, private 4x4 safari transport, professional guides, airport or hotel transfers, and activities mentioned in the itinerary. Specific inclusions may vary depending on the tour.
Tanzania can be visited year-round, but the best time for safaris is usually during the dry season from June to October. Zanzibar is also beautiful during this period, while Kilimanjaro climbs are ideal from January to March and June to October.
Yes! We specialize in personalized experiences and can tailor your safari, Zanzibar holiday, or Kilimanjaro trek based on your travel style, budget, and preferences.
We offer a variety of accommodations including budget camps, mid-range lodges, luxury safari lodges, beachfront resorts, and mountain camps during Kilimanjaro treks.
We offer both private and group safari options. Private safaris provide a more personalized experience, while group safaris are a great option for travelers looking for a more affordable adventure.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is physically challenging but achievable for most people with proper preparation and determination. Choosing the right route and itinerary greatly improves acclimatization and summit success.
Plan with confidence
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