Thursday, April 1, 2010

BABATI - HANANG CULTURAL TOURS

BABATI AND HANANG
The area also has a rich birdlife with over 400 specials.
Nestled in the Green Hills of Africa between Tarangire and Manyara National Parks, Lake Babati is an undiscovered gem in northern Tanzania, a place where afternoons are spent drifting in canoes, where hippopotamus spend the days lazing in the tall grasses along the lake shore and where the locals welcome you into their hearts.

Lake Babati is where you can climb nearby Mt Kwaraa (2,415m), visit the local "bee ladies" and share in a traditional meal or spend the afternoon with a local fisherman in his dugout canoe, bird watching or just drifting.

Lake Babati can be used as a base to climb Mt Hanang which, at 3,418m, is Tanzania's fourth highest mountain, take a day trip to the Kolo cave paintings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or visit the local Barbaig tribe.
Lake Babati is also Tanzania's only declared Hippopotamus Reserve. Usually found during the day on the lake shore amongst the reeds and grasses, they can be found in the shallows of the lake late in the afternoon, although every now and then they are found right in town.

The local community offers visitors the following attractions:
1. A special Barbaig cultural insight hike
2. An exclusive Mount Hanang climb
3. A fishing adventure with local canoes on Lake Babati while viewing hippos.
4. A chance to participate in Local brick and pottery making and beer brewing.
5. A visit to development projects like cattle and goat diary farming, piped water project, Bio-gas energy project
6. Cycling expeditions through remote areas.

There are various guided tour options as follows:-

1. Managhat Village: You visit Managhat village, original home of the Gorowa tribe, to see diary farming activities, farming with ox ploughs, bio-gas system, local Gorowa huts and optionally a Killer Bee-Keeping Project at the bottom of Mount Kwaraa

2. You walk to Managhat village and climb Bambaay Hill from where you see the beautiful Valley landscape with Lake Bahati and Lake Manyara and the Maasai Steppes to the east. Later, visit a respected Gorowa tribesman Mzee Kwaraa for an insight on Gorowa culture, marriage ceremonies, rain prayers, burial, religious and circumcisions rituals. Options you can row, fish and view hippos on Lake Babati using local canoes.

3. Three days Special Barbaig tour: This tour enables you to mix with the Barbaig tribal and gain cultural insight on their marriage procedures, burial rites, local taboos, way of making ornaments and goatskin dresses, and their daily activities. Try to herd cattle or fetch water the Barbaig way and take pictures with them. Also Mount Hanang trekking and God’s Bridge walks are other interesting options. All tours can be combined with cycling expedition. For birdwatchers and wildlife safari is suitable combo on this cultural tour.

Three Day's Special Barbaig Tour:

Day 1: Arusha to Babati

Depart from Arusha at 0700 or 0800 and drive to Babati 172 km. Within 3 hours we arrive Babati centre. We meet our resident Guide at Kahembe's Guest House. This tour begins with a 70 km on our 4x4 safari vehicle from Babati to Katesh. Lunch in a local hotel. From here you start a 16 km bush walk towards the Mangati plains. In Dirma, a Barbaig nomad village, you will be warmly welcomed at Mzee Gavachu's boma. In no time you will see Barbaig women and men coming to see their new guests. Our Barbaig guide will help to translate where only Barbaig language is spoken. Seated on three legged stools you have dinner prepared by the women. In the huts a bed with a skin only is waiting for you. Dinner and overnight at the local hut on full board basis

Day 2: Full day with Barbaig

Relaxed day where the visitor can mix freely with people and gain the cultural insights from men and women, taking pictures together and knowing more about procedures of marriage, burial of elderly men, religious rituals, local taboos etc. Have a look at how they make the goatskin gowns and the ornaments, how they prepare the famous honey brew called Gisuda. One can try to herd cattle or fetch water the Barbaig way. The only school and dispensary can be visited where you can talk with teachers and nurses. Dinner and overnight on Full board basis

Day 3: Mount Hanang (3 418m) Trekking:

Walk back to Katesh, where you have lunch, further bus trip to Babati or Arusha.
From Katesh, the fourth highest mountain of Tanzania, can be climbed in one day. An early start is necessary with guides and porters through farmland, forest, scrub and grasslands. Finally, after 5 - 6 hours walking, you will reach the summit. Another 3 - 4 hours is needed for the descent. But it is advisable to climb from Gendabi at the foot of the mountain, a 3 hours walk from Katesh. Teachers from the Secondary school will provide accommodation and food. After spending the night in the village you climb and have more time to enjoy the scenery. Summiteers will receive a certificate.

Day 4: God's Bridge Walk:
Drive from Babati to Bacho village at the foot of the Rift Wall where you visit local fish ponds. Along local paths climb the escarpment and visit God’s Bridge with a fantastic view. Descend and walk to the main road where you drive back to Babati, and we provide local lunch at Kahembe Guest House then drive back to Arusha and onward transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or proceed with an option to Tarangire or Manyara National Park for Wildlife viewing


Option a combined tours
All tours can be combined. A cycling expedition can be organized on request. For birdwatchers exclusive safaris are designed. A combination of a visit to the National Parks with our Cultural tour is possible. The five hours drive from Karatu, Mbulu, Dareda to Katesh is of an extreme beauty. From Katesh, the Tarangire gate can be reached within three hours


+255 787 907577 and +767 907577
bariki.elieneza@gmail.com

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