On new years day some CWY–UVIKIUTA members went for a hike in Marangu in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. Marangu is a small and busy center of tourism, especially for climbers who want to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. The word Marangu means a place with too many water streams.
After a taxi ride to the entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park we spent at least half an hour, taking photos and waiting for a guide to give us the park’s information, but he didn’t come and so we continued with our hike, after getting some information sheets. After an hour’s trek we got to the Kinukamori waterfalls, which is located at the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro and whose crystal clear water originates from the natural springs of volcanic rocks on Kilimanjaro.
We also went into the hall of Chagga culture after a short briefing by our guide. The Chagga people are Bantu-speaking and the largest ethnic group who live at the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. They descended from various Bantu groups who migrated from the rest of Africa into the foothills of Kilimanjaro and speak a number of related Chagga language dialects. The Chagga area is traditionally divided into a number of chiefdoms, which were displayed by use of sculptures in the hall of the Chagga culture.
Below are some pics of the hike..
Brief stop at the Kilimanjaro National Park, which is also a World Heritage Site.
Inside the park
The hike
Landscapes along the way
Some biodiversity along the way
A group rest along one of the streams
At the entrance of the Kinukamori waterfalls
Getting some information before going into the falls
Briefing before going into the hall of Chagga culture
Chiefdom sculptures inside the hall of Chagga culture
Swimming at the waterfalls
Photo-shoot at the waterfalls
Refreshments after the hike..
The group left the following day for Dar Es Salaam, where they will be living with local host families and working with the local community for two months.
Ecoescapades 