Our Experiences
Unforgettable, locally-led adventures through the heart of Tanzania. No fluff — just the real thing.
Cooking Class
When you think of immersing yourself in a culture, you may think of learning about customs, traditional clothing, language, art, and history. However, one essential aspect that should not be overlooked when getting to know the culture of another country is the local cuisine. During your trip, you may have already had the opportunity to experience some local dishes. Today, it’s time to learn how to prepare them as well. You will attend a cooking class at the home of a local mama. She will teach you how to cook and eat the dish. Mto wa Mbu is known for its many banana plantations, and there are more than 10 different types of bananas found here. So you will certainly use them in cooking this local dish.
Duration: 3 hours including lunch or dinner
Scavenger Hunt
Time to stretch your legs and start discovering Tanzanian culture. Hop on your bike and cycle through Mto wa Mbu, a small, seemingly uninteresting Tanzanian Village, but with a world for you to discover. Mto wa Mbu translates to ‘river of mosquitos’, but that will not be the only Swahili you’ll learn today! In the Scavenger hunt that is set out for you, you’ll learn about the culture in a playful way. Find your way around the village by using maps and pictures and learn how to be a respectful Tanzanian. We will not drop too many hints, but if you do it well, you will not go home empty handed!
Rather not cycle, but want to explore the village in this unique way? We can also take you by tuk-tuk.
Duration:
- With Bike 3-3.5 hours
- With Bajaj 2.5-3 hours
Cultural Tour
Today, you will explore the lush village of Mto wa Mbu and learn about Tanzanian culture from your local guide. The route will take you past various plantations where you see and learn how they grow rice, beans, bananas or tomatoes, according to the season. The tour will take you to the village center and you will walk through the colourful market where you can see many different types of vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices that are sold here every day. Can you identify the different spices by its scent? Your tour ends with a tasting of local maize and banana beer.
You can choose to do this on foot, by bicycle, or in a tuk-tuk.
Duration:
- By foot: 2 hours
- By bike: 2 hours
- By bajaj: 2 hours
Homestay
Want to get to know Tanzania, its people, and culture in a relaxed and authentic way? Spend a night with a Tanzanian family. After a warm welcome and introduction, you can help out with the daily chores. In the evening, everyone gathers together for a cozy meal. You will sleep in a simple but tidy room. After a delicious breakfast of mandazi, vitumbua and fruit, you will say goodbye to the family.
Market Visit
Wander through the colorful market with your guide. You can find just about anything you can imagine for sale here, from clothes and cosmetics to vegetables, fruits, animals, and meat. The market is a lively event in the village, attracting vendors from far and wide, and the villagers enjoy visiting it as well. There are no fixed prices, so you’ll need to showcase your negotiation skills if you want to make a purchase. The guide can help you with this. You’ll also learn about where the vendors come from and what their goods are used for.
Market Days:
- Kigongoni (Mto wa Mbu): Every Thursday and the 22nd of the month
- Makuyuni: Every Saturday of the month
- Selela: Every Wednesday
- Karatu: 7th and 25th of the month
Duration : 1.5-2 hours
Miwaleni Waterfall and Lake
Climb and clamber over the rocks that form a path to the Miwaleni Waterfalls. Together with a guide, you will explore the area. It’s a walk through the greenery of the banana plantations, over rocky boulders, and across stones in the river until you finally reach the waterfall. This waterfall flows all the way from the Ngorongoro Crater, covering quite a distance to reach. After visiting the waterfall you will take a hike to visit the nearby Miwaleni Lake, where you can see many beautiful birds.
Duration: 2.5-3 hours
Great Rift Valley Hike
The Great Rift Valley stretches over thousands of kilometres between the South of Turkey and Mozambique. If you love hiking and are not afraid to challenge yourself a little bit, you should book this experience. Our guide will take you along a beautiful path with water streams and baobab trees, until you reach the top where you have a spectacular view over the valley and its surrounding areas. Along the way you will learn more about the flora, fauna, monkeys and birds in the area. Also you will get to know how the rift valley originated. Put on your shoes and let’s go!
Durations: 3 hours
TingaTinga
Tinga Tinga is a painting technique that was invented in Tanzania. You can’t miss these paintings along the road. Today, you will unleash your creative spirit. You will get started with a member of the painting community. This painter will provide you with tips and assistance to ensure that you will go home with a beautiful home-made souvenir.
Duration: 2 hours
Biking at Lake Manyara
Time for some physical activity! You will cycle to explore a wildlife management area. Ride through the plantations of Mto wa Mbu, heading towards the lake. Along the way, you will see a variety of birds and animals, including antelopes, zebras, baboons, velvet monkeys, and wildebeests. It’s a fun way to experience a safari in a different way and get some good exercise at the same time.
Durations: 3 hours
Canoeing
Time for a relaxing one-hour boat cruise on Lake Manyara in a handmade canoe. Your guide will paddle you around the lake, while sharing insights about local fishing practices, the birds you will see, and the nature that surrounds you.
This activity is also great to combine with cycling at Lake Manyara.
Duration: 1 hour
Boat Lunch
You will board a boat and set off on Lake Manyara. With a picnic basket filled with a delicious lunch and a cold drink, you will enjoy your time on the water. The guide will share insights about the lake, the fishing practices, and the flora and fauna found in and around the lake. Meanwhile, you can enjoy a unique lunch in the middle of the lake.
Duration: 1 hour
Boat Sundowner
Can you feel the love tonight? Our chefs prepared a picnic basket full of delicious homemade treats for you to enjoy while you will set off on Lake Manyara by boat. Watch the sun setting down when you sip from your cold drinks. Sit back and relax while you cherish this perfect moment together.
Duration : 1.5 hours
Maasai Visit
Discover the authentic life of the Maasai with a truly immersive tour of their village, far from the typical staged experiences. With a local guide, you’ll walk through the homestead, and observe the real, daily activities of the Maasai people — as if wearing an invisible cloak. You’ll have the unique opportunity to engage in genuine conversations with the Maasai. Learning a lot about their rich culture while sharing your own. The visit ends with a relaxed gathering under a tree, sipping tea and sharing stories with each other.
Duration : 2 hours
Maasai Celebration
If you want to experience more of the Maasai culture, book a Maasai celebration. You will arrive in the Maasai village at the end of the afternoon, when it is time to milk the goats. Maybe you can help the women a little bit? Get to know the family and their way of living in the middle of the savanna with their cattles. In the evening all people from surrounding villages gather around the bonfire in the boma. Share your stories with the Maasai men, women and children and help prepare the BBQ diner in a traditional Maasai way. Eating meat means there is something to celebrate, so you will end the evening with some traditional dancing and singing together with the new friends you just made.
Duration: 4-5 hours
Maasai Stay
If you’d like to immerse yourself further in the culture, you can also extend your Maasai visit or Maasai celebration with a stay overnight. In the evening the goats will come home, there is food to cook, children to look after. After this evening you will retire to your own hut, where you’ll sleep in a traditional bed, made out of sticks and cowhide. It will definitely not be your most comfortable night, but it will be one to remember!
Maasai Beading
Discover the beauty and significance of Maasai beadwork culture. Beadwork is a vital part of Maasai identity, used to signify age, social status, and even life events through intricate patterns and vibrant colors. Have you ever wondered what the different colors of beads mean? Now you can find out directly from the Maasai women who create these stunning pieces. Despite language barriers, you’ll learn by doing as you sit on a traditional goatskin and are guided step-by-step through the process of crafting Maasai jewelry.
Duration: 2 hours
Local BBQ Lunch
After work or when there’s something to celebrate, Tanzanians enjoy Nyama Choma; grilled meat from the barbecue. This can be beef, goat or chicken accompanied by fried bananas, ugali, and salad. Do you like to taste some local fish? That is also possible. Before the meal, everyone washes their hands well, as it’s customary to eat with your hands here.
Local Pizza
Want something different during your trip than Western or local food? Try this mix of both! A Tanzanian pizza baked over a charcoal fire, loaded with vegetables.
Local Lunch/Dinner
As you travel around Tanzania, you may wonder what the locals eat. During this lunch or dinner, you will be served 10 different dishes to taste. You’ll also learn about what these dishes are and when they are usually eaten. Among them, you’ll get to know ugali, pilau bubu, and kachumbari.
Chipsi Mayai
Tanzanians live outdoors, and the hustle and bustle of the country is evident everywhere you go. You’ll see people busy with work and community activities, including a vibrant street food culture. One of the most common street foods is Chipsi Mayai; a potato and egg dish.
Hampers
To complete your day during your unforgettable safari, we have created a special hamper menu. Freshly prepared by one of our chefs, this menu offers dishes that you won’t find anywhere else. We like to care for our planet and people and this is why we do not use any plastics in our hampers.
Other Services
Transfer
We offer transfers in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Our experienced drivers will take you safely to your next destination. We are available 24/7 for this service.
Local Transfers
Have you spent a lot of time in a car or Land Cruiser and want to do something different during your trip? Hop into a tuk-tuk or ride on the back of a motorcycle! This way, you can travel like the locals and enrich your experience.