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Tours  in the Usambara
Growing rock tour (4 to 5 hours)
Starting from Soni you walk through the villages of Shashui and Kwemula to the foot of Kwa Mongo. In half an hour you can climb this mountain which has a colorful variety of butterflies on top, and oversee the Southern Usambara Mountains, including Soni and Lushoto, and the Handeni plains. From here you descend to Magila, situated on the foot of the growing rock, where you visit two irrigation projects and the tree nursery of the primary school. The farmers and schoolteachers will tell you all the ins and outs of their development projects and explain, before your return to Soni, why the rock is growing.
 

Magamba Rainforest: This tour begins with an uphill walk from Lushoto to the royal village of Kwembago, where you can learn about the cultural history of the traditional ruling clan, the Kilindi. From Kwembago you have a beautiful view over Lushoto and the Maasai plains. You proceed to the lush Magamba rainforest, home of black and white colored monkeys. Upon your return to Lushoto you will pass via the old German Middle School and the village of Magamba.
 

Bangala river tour (5 to 7 hours)
Walking along river valleys, sometimes wading through the water, you descend to the village of Bangala. On your way you have a beautiful view over the Maasai plains, you will see a traditional irrigation system and can visit a Wasambaa farm. In Bangala you can visit the tree nursery at the primary school and afterwards take a bus back to Soni or walk back via Vuga hill.

Western Usambara mountains tour (3 to 5 days)
Via the villages of Lukozi, Manolo and Sunga you reach the former German settlement of Mtae. On the way you pass through tropical forests, trek over mountains, go to several superb viewpoints and visit various development projects. If time permits you can also trek past Mlalo

Mazumbae forest reserve tour (4 to 5 days)
Via Kwa Mongo and Magila (irrigation and soil conservation projects) you go to Bumbuli mission (historic German settlement). From there you make a tour through the Masumbae forest reserve, famous for its many birds, and return to Soni.

Potter Traditional Adventure tour
Via Magamba tropical rain forests, trek towards Klaizi village. Located near Mloala village lies the village of Kilieti, where you can find Namisfueli Nyeki developing pottery workshops. Visitors can observe and participate in the age-old tradition of pottery making.

The guides
They are all former students of the Shambalai secondary school in Lushoto. Some of them have to wait one year for further education, others won't continue studying and try to find suitable work. All speak reasonable to good English, are familiar with the area and can tell you many interesting stories about history and daily life in the Usambara Mountains. They hope to earn some income through their work as guides and at the same promote village development to improve the living conditions of the Shambaa people
 

CONTACT ADDRESS:

HEAD OFFICE DAR ES SALAAM. ZANZIBAR HOTEL P.O. BOX 12594.

TEL/FAX: +255 22 2133793, Mobile: +255 788 221 650

ARUSHA BRANCH OFFICE. KALOLENI AREA OPPOSITE , PRIMIEM HOUSE.

BOX 14477 ARUSHA, Mobile: +255 713 350 601, TEL. +255 754 398 815

admin@bushroutes.com or reservations@bushroutes.com