Oldonyo Sambu - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )

Oldonyo Sambu: Africa Natural Tours

AFRICA NATURAL TOURS (The best tour company in Tanzania)

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

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Oldonyo Sambu

Oldonyo Sambu is located 36 km north-west of Arusha on the highway to Nairobi. The centre of operations is Oldonyo Sambu Market (also known as Maiko Market).
The programme includes the following:

- Short hikes up the hills to view the beautiful Maasai land and to get a glimpse of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru,

Longido and Kitumbeine

- Visits to traditional Maasai bomas, markets and watering dams

- Visit to a traditional healer and the centre of Maasai women specializing in making

ornaments
- Horse, camel and donkey rides across Maasai country.

There various tour options available:

Half day tours

1. The safari starts with a visit to a Maasai boma to see the traditional lifestyle of the tribe. Hike up the Oldonyo-Was Hill to view the surrounding plains and villages. Later, head to the centre of Maasai women specializing in ornament making and to the historic tower, a reminder of colonialism. Trek to a holy fig tree and thereon to a water spring.
2. Start by hiking up the Mareu Hill to view Mt. Kilimanjato, Mt. Meru, Longido, Kitumbeine and Monduli. Rest in a Maasai boma before heading to meet a traditional healer.
Full day tours

1. Hike up the Oldonyo-Was Hill, then rest in a Maasai boma before heading to meet a traditional healer. Visit the watering dams and a traditional meat camp or ‘orpul’. Proceed to the fields and to watch livestock in the lush pastures of the Maasai. Nearby is a zoo with Marabou storks, leopards and colobus monkeys. Time permitting, you will be shown the local method of beekeeping.

2. Start by hiking up Mareu Hill to view Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru, Longido, Kitumbeine and Monduli. Later, rest in a Maasai boma and visit a traditional healer. Go on to see the holy fig tree, water spring, meat camp and historic tower. End the journey with a meal prepared by the Maasai women.

Overnight tour

A tailor-made overnight tour can be organized to include a visit to a Maasai boma, Maasai market and traditional healer. Go to the pastures to learn about Maasai livestock and enjoy a traditional ‘nyama choma’ or roast meat meal.

·         Getting there: Drive down the Nairobi road to the Oldonyo Sambu Market. On arrival, you will see the signs leading to the office. (Income from the tourist visit will be used to improve the primary school and health centre in Oldonyo sambu)

Osotwa Cultural Tourism Initiatives (OCTI)

OCTI is part of Osotwa Mount Meru Community-Based Conservation with the local Community to improve the environment around Mount Meru through advocacy, tree planting education and mobilization of community groups women and young people.

On offer are the following:

- Walking tour – Experience the local environment and culture, plant and bird species, and local languages.
- Maasai Cultural Boma visit – Learn about the construction of local mud huts, the Maasai people’s literature and ritual ceremonies, agro-forestry activities and folktales.
- Traditional healer visit – Learn about Maasai herbal medicines.

- Sites of traditional rituals – Visit the magnificent sacred fig tree where the local Maasai have worshipped for over 300 years.

- Maasai livestock and colorful market

– Visit and enjoy the many colors and products of the local market, and see livestock being traded by the hundreds of Maasai herders.

The itinerary may vary depending on visitor’s request of half day, full day or multiple day options. (Market visits are only on Thursdays and Sundays.)

Nature tours

All nature tour includes explanations of local flora and fauna by educated guides. OCTI offers several walking tours of local indigenous forest and conservation projects.

Sambasha Hill tour

This is a 4-5 hours return trip through local Maasai villages and indigenous forest to the summit at 2,200m above sea level. Enjoy great views from the summit of the dormant volcanic crater which is frequented by black and white colobus monkeys and a stunning variety of birds.

Kitaakuu Hill – Join Forest

Management Project

Enjoy a 6–7 hours journey to one of Osotwa’s community conservation project which mixes with a lush catchments forest that climbs the western slope of Mount Meru. This area is rich in birdlife and black and white colobus monkeys. This walk can be combined with the Sambasha hill tour, Boma visit and the school projects, i.e., a full day tour or a full day and one night tour.

Other things to note:

Accommodation can be arranged or camping gear hired or a stay in permanent tents organized. If you opt for a multiple tour, home stay can be arranged. Binoculars are provided for bird spotting and Maasai walking sticks to assist your safari.

Getting there: The Osotwa office is located in the rural environment of Olmotonyi (the former Meru/ Usa-River forest plantation headquarter). It is walking distance of about 4 kms from the daladala bus stand in Ngaramtoni. If desired, the Osotwa guides can meet you in Arusha town. (Income from tourist will be used to support environmentally responsible tourism, environmental conservation and alleviation of rural poverty in this region.)

Oldonyo Sambu

Oldonyo Sambu is located 36 km north-west of Arusha on the highway to Nairobi. The centre of operations is Oldonyo Sambu Market (also known as Maiko Market).

The programme includes the following:

- Short hikes up the hills to view the beautiful Maasai land and to get a glimpse of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru,

Longido and Kitumbeine

- Visits to traditional Maasai bomas, markets and watering dams

- Visit to a traditional healer and the centre of Maasai women specializing in making ornaments
- Horse, camel and donkey rides across Maasai country.

There various tour options available:

Half day tours

1. The safari starts with a visit to a Maasai boma to see the traditional lifestyle of the tribe. Hike up the Oldonyo-Was Hill to view the surrounding plains and villages. Later, head to the centre of Maasai women specializing in ornament making and to the historic tower, a reminder of colonialism. Trek to a holy fig tree and thereon to a water spring.

2. Start by hiking up the Mareu Hill to view Mt. Kilimanjato, Mt. Meru, Longido, Kitumbeine

and Monduli. Rest in a Maasai boma before heading to meet a traditional healer.

Full day tours

1. Hike up the Oldonyo-Was Hill, then rest in a Maasai boma before heading to meet a traditional healer. Visit the watering dams and a traditional meat camp or ‘orpul’. Proceed to the fields and to watch livestock in the lush pastures of the Maasai. Nearby is a zoo with Marabou storks, leopards and colobus monkeys. Time permitting, you will be shown the local method of beekeeping.
2. Start by hiking up Mareu Hill to view Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru, Longido, Kitumbeine and Monduli. Later, rest in a Maasai boma and visit a traditional healer. Go on to see the holy fig tree, water spring, meat camp and historic tower. End the journey with a meal prepared by the Maasai women.

Overnight tour

A tailor-made overnight tour can be organized to include a visit to a Maasai boma, Maasai market and traditional healer. Go to the pastures to learn about Maasai livestock and enjoy a traditional ‘nyama choma’ or roast meat meal.

Getting there: Drive down the Nairobi road to the Oldonyo Sambu Market. On arrival, you will see the signs leading to the office. (Income from the tourist visit will be used to improve the primary school and health centre in Oldonyo sambu)

For more information visit www.africanaturaltours.com