Gentle cycling through banana and rice fields with a local guide.
A woodcarver, a banana-beer tasting and the Mto wa Mbu market.
A visit to a Maasai boma with a chance to ask your own questions.
Overview
Mto wa Mbu means "river of mosquitoes", but it is better known today as one of the most culturally mixed villages in Tanzania. A community guide leads the bike tour, and every fee goes back to the families you meet.
It works as a stand-alone day or as a half-day before or after a park visit, and it puts the people of the Rift Valley next to the wildlife.
Tour facts
Difficulty
Easy
Group sizes
Private, Joining safari
Great for
All ages
Languages
English, Swahili
Start point
Arusha
Guest rating
4.8 / 5
Best months to travel
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1Bikes, banana groves and a Maasai bomaMto wa Mbu
Meet your local guide at Mto wa Mbu around 9 a.m., fit your bicycle and ride the irrigation paths past rice and banana plots. Stops include a woodcarving workshop and a family compound where you taste banana beer.
After lunch we drive to a Maasai boma for a visit that covers daily life, livestock and songs, with time for questions. Back in Arusha by late afternoon if you started there.
Photos from the trip
What’s included
Private vehicle with driver-guide from your hotel and back
Entrance and guide fees for the places named on the day plan
Bottled water and a packed lunch or a local lunch as described
Small group or private, as booked, with a local guide
Not included
Drinks and meals not described in the day plan
Tips for guides and drivers (optional, but appreciated)
Travel insurance and personal expenses
Anything not named in the day plan
Prices by season
Per person in USD, 2026 rates, based on 2 travellers sharing.
Year-round rate
1 Jan – 31 Dec
$95
Travelling in a group? You save
Per-person price for the Year-round rate rate.
1 traveller
$144
--52%
2 travellers
$95
-0%
3 travellers
$92
-3%
4 travellers
$90
-5%
5 travellers
$88
-7%
6 travellers
$86
-9%
7 travellers
$86
-10%
8 travellers
$85
-11%
Frequently asked questions
Is the boma visit staged?
It is a community programme, not a performance. Families choose how they take part, and we ask you to be respectful and to ask before you photograph people.
What time do we start and finish?
We usually collect from your hotel between 7 and 8 a.m. and are back by late afternoon. We confirm the exact times when you book.
What should I bring?
Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, a hat, a light rain jacket and a little cash for tips or souvenirs. We send a short checklist when you book.
Can we change the day or the plan?
Yes. Day trips are private by default, so we can shift the timing or swap stops to suit you. Just tell us early.
