Your visit will be conducted by local people and can be designed in various ways and can range from a half day to five days. The Sothern Pare Mountains are situated south of Moshi town in Kilimanjaro region. Deep within the Southern Pare Mountains, about 150km from Moshi town are the Mbaga Hills. Rising from the plains, visitors will be led through winding roads into the mountains where you can experience some of Africa's most spectacular scenery. A visit to the Southern Pare Mountains is ideal for people wanting to combine trips with the Mkomazi Game Reserve. With a strong history of German settlement, Mbaga is home to a backdrop of quaint stone buildings, landscaped terraces and mini-waterfalls.

For queries and further details about any Cultural Tour, Safari Tour, Trekking Tour or Zanzibar Tour as well as price quotations, please do not hesitate to contact us!

This is the invitation from the people of Southern Pare Mountains:

» Welcome. We, the people of
Southern Pare Mountains offer you:

• A walk through the Chome Forrest Reserve, a tropical forest of over 100 sq. km;
• A climb to Shengena Park, the highest point in the Pare and Usambara Mountains;
• Walks to the Tona Mountains and Ranzi Dam;
• Visits to development projects in the area (irrigation, soil conservation, tree planting);
• A chance to see ruins from Colonial times.

Development fees from the tours will be used to
subsidize energy-saving stoves and for educational scholarships
to the local vocational training center.«

LOCATION:

The southern Pare Mountains are situated in Kilimanjaro Region, about 150 kilometers south of Moshi. From the surrounding plains, the mountains look like a barren and deserted area, but when you start climbing the slopes, one of Africa's most special landscapes is revealed for your eyes. Between huge desolate rocks lie small green river valleys where farmers have built impressive stone terraces. On top of the mountains is the Chome forest reserve, a dense tropical forest with many rare trees and plants. The forest offers an oasis of rest, beauty and fresh air. Visitors can easily walk a day through the forest without meeting anyone. The surrounding villages are among the most isolated places in Northern Tanzania and the local people have kept their traditional Pare culture throughout history. Narrow footpaths wind through the mountains from one village to another. A stay in the Southern Pare Mountains can perfectly be combined with a visit to the neighboring Mkomazi Game Reserve, where game drives and walking safaris are possible.

SOUTHERN PARE MOUNTAINS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT:

During the past years the Netherlands Development Organization has in close cooperation with the Pare farmers established a Traditional Irrigation Improvement Programme (TIP) in the mountains. The various forest reserves in the Pare mountains are of main importance for the irrigation programme. If the forests will not be well preserved, the sustainability of the irrigation systems can come under threat of diminishing water supplies and massive soil erosion. Deforestation will expose the land to wind and water, causing heavy erosion, faster surface run-off and less infiltration of water. Through forestation and terracing farmers now try to protect their water and land resources. Some villagers however still cut trees in the forests, for which they hardly can be blamed, since they are struggling for sufficient food, fuel wood and income. Tourism can offer an alternative and more sustainable way of using the forest and may encourage all farmers to further conservation measures.

FACILITIES:

In the natural forest there are several lawns close to rivers that are perfectly fit for free camping. The water is very clean and can be used for washing, cooking and drinking. Modest accommodation can be provided in the villages.

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