Tanzania's people are among the most welcoming and approachable on earth, with a range of fascinating cultures ready to be shared with visitors. From the Wachagga of the slopes of Kilimanjaro to the now world famous Maasai, a cultural excursion or a longer stay among local people is likely to become one of the most rewarding experiences of any holiday in Tanzania.

With its cultural art facts where you can experience real African life and enjoy the beautiful scenery of green mountains, wide plains and the dramatic Rift Valley, Cultural tourism refers to a form of tourism in which local people are closely involved. They design and organize the tours, show tourists aspects of the area in which they live and of their daily life. During the tours, local people often show their development projects, like irrigation and soil conservation activities or income generating projects of women’s groups. Visitors leave the area feeling they have made new friends and with information on the many positive developments going on in rural Tanzania.

Cultural tourism programmes are beneficial to everyone - the tourists get a unique, unforgettable experience, the local people generate income and improve their standard of living, and both parties gain a valuable understanding of another culture which will last long after the visitors have returned home. Most cultural tourism programmes are located near the main thoroughfares of the principal tourist destinations, making a cultural addition to a safari easy to arrange. Guides are local people born and raised in the area, well trained in their jobs and proficient in English.

Popular Cultural Tourism Centres includes:

Masama Cultural Tourism Programme - Kilimanjaro Region TCTP

Kahawa Migombani – Total time: 2 to 3 hours

Coffee plantations on the villages surrounds the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania produce some of the world's finest Arabica coffee. Masama village been one among the villages which surround the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, is located 10 kilometers off from Moshi – Arusha road.

Masama Cultural Tourism Programme offers a perfect package of Kahawa Migombani cultural tour.

The tour exposes visitors into different local activities:

- Visiting the smallholder coffee growers.

- Learn the history and success stories of the Arabica coffee plantations.

- Coffee harvesting (July - December)

- Coffee processing

- Coffee packaging

- Traditional preparation of cup of coffee

- Testing or drinking your Arabica cup of coffee

Ilkiding'a - Arusha Region TCTP

The following is on offer:

- A visit to a local traditionally built household to get an idea of how an extended family lives together

- Traditional dancing: We can bring the dance to you or you can bring the people to the dance.

- A walk through coffee plantations and open fields where potatoes, cabbages, maize, beans and other cash crops are cultivated by the villagers.

- A visit to a traditional healer, who is ready to answer all your questions and give advice if needed a visit to the craftsmen prepared by the Mainyoito Women’s Group at one of the households

- A visit to the primary school where money generated from tourism as Development Fees is used to rehabilitate the school

- The pleasure of impressive viewpoints overlooking Arusha town, hiking along narrow footpaths, crossing a canyon and climbing small hills. You can take a half day tour, full day tour or a 3 day south-west Meru cultural hike. A fourth option is an 8-hour walking trip from Arusha to the starting point, where you connect with the full day tour.

Mto Wa Mbu Cultural Tourism Programme

Mto wa Mbu is situated on the way from Arusha to the national parks in northern Tanzania, just at the foot of the Rift Valley. Located on the way to Ngorongoro and Serengeti, it is an ideal resting place for most safari travellers.

A visit to Mto Wa Mbu includes:

- A walk thought the farms in the green oasis at the foot of the Rift Valley

- A climb to Balaa Hill from where you can see the whole town

- A view into the culture of the many different tribes living in the area

- A trip to the Miwaleni Lake and waterfall

- Visit to development projects that aim at improving agriculture and start income generating activities for the farmers

- Explanation about the irrigation system