The Matunda Cultural Tours are carried out in the spirit of eco-tourism. Mainly walking and mountain bikes will be used. If you want to get a close encounter with nature, areas like Meru land are ideal. It is well suited for walking safaris in terms of landscape and culture. You will experience an endemic fauna and flora and interact with the local people.
Half day Matunda Cultural Walking Tour ($25 US per person)
In the half day visit, you will be invited to coffee and banana plantations owned by local people. You will also visit families producing local brew by using finger millet and banana. This is followed by a one-hour hike to the Lodemi waterfalls; one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the slopes of Mount Meru. The tour is finished at Matunda Cultural Tourism home base where you will be served a home-cooked traditional lunch. You will also get the chance to try our freshly made coffee. The coffee is locally grown and will be processed in front of you; from the newly picked beans to your coffee cup. You can also buy fresh-ground coffee to bring with you and share with your friends back home.
Full day Cultural Tour ($35 US per person)
The full day tour includes the half day cultural tour. After lunch you can chose if you want to continue the day on mountain bikes (1), if you want to do more walking (2) or if you want to stay at the orphanage to do activities with our kids and learn more about our project (3).
(1) For the fit and adventurous, mountain biking through the African landscape is truly an exciting experience. Avoid roads and traffic and ride through the forests of Meru land; up mountains, down valleys, through tiny villages and into bustling market towns.
(2) The walking tour continues to Temi Pottery Project in Snig’isi village. The aim of Temi Pottery Project is to keep the Tanzanian Pottery tradition alive. They are manufacturing clay products in a traditional way and passing on the skills through the Temi Pottery School. Their ceramic products, such as candle holders, flower pots, and table ware, are available for purchase.
(3)You can also choose to stay at Peace Matunda Orphanage. The children love visitors and will be happy to have you join them in their games. They are very open to new things, so if you want to prepare an activity for them, you are more than welcome. You will also get the chance to interact with our staff and volunteers to learn more about the orphanage.
2 Day Walking Tour ($70 US per person)
Day 1: Full day cultural tour
Overnight at Peace Matunda Orphanage
Day 2: Hike through Mount Meru forest reserves, 4800 above sea level. As this is a rain forest area, it has a very rich flora and fauna. It is home to many bird species and monkeys. The number of bird species here is about the highest in the region and is nationally reputed. On a clear day, this is also where you can get the best view of snow caped Mount Kilimanjaro. And a splendid view of Mount Meru is guaranteed.
3 Day Walking Tour ($100 US per person)
Day 1: Full day cultural tour
Overnight at Peace Matunda Orphanage
Day 2: This day will be the first day of a hike through Mount Meru forest reserves, 4800 above sea level. As this is a rain forest area, it has a very rich flora and fauna (birds, monkeys etc.). The number of bird species here is amongst the highest in the region and is nationally reputed. On a clear day, this is also where you can get the best view of snow caped Mount Kilimanjaro. And a splendid view of Mount Meru is guaranteed! We will walk to a valley at the very base of the mountain where we will stop for the night.
Overnight camping at the base of Mount Meru
Day 3: The last day we will be walking back to Peace Matunda Orphanage.
