Absolutely stunning wildlife roaming in the world famous Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the many other parks and reserves of Tanzania.
Tanzania’s Non- Profit Tour Co.!
Photo Gallery! African Wildlife Safari
Tag: maasai
Testimonial! Keri-Lyn, Canada, 2018
I stayed with Leesha and Lau and family on a 6 week trip through Tanzania. I’ve known Leesha for many years and it was wonderful to reunite with her in Mto Wa Mbu. They showed me around the village, introduced me to their community and I got to witness the passion and inspiration that lives in their entrepreneurial projects. I had such an incredible time in the village. The people are kind and welcoming, the scenery of the Rift Valley walls and Lake Mayanara stunning. I shared some art classes, visited the market regularly, enjoyed the local food and hit the dance floor for a little nightlife! I highly receommend connecting with Boma Africa. Mto Wa Mbu is the perfect place to set out for safari or take some time to relax and settle in and make some friends after travelling around. I hope to make it back one day!! Thank you for being such amazing hosts! xoxo
Keri-Lyn; Canada; 2018
Volunteer Profile: Carly Beaulieu
Carly first came to Tanzania in August 2017 and volunteered to be in midwife (for my own birth!) here in Mto wa Mbu town. Tanzania got under her skin and she is back in June! Carly wears many hats and is using them all this month.
First she an educator. She worked in Canada as a teacher for several years before her calling to midwifery led her back to her own training. Carly brought supplies for the school and spent a week at the LK Kindergarten mentoring our teacher, Sophia, in the concept of “learning through play”. They played games, set up stations, and Sophia got tonnes of new ideas and resources to use with the children. Sophia’ second week of immersion she spent in a mentorship with the with the kindergarten teacher at Black Rhino Academy, International School.
Carly is also an EMT and trained in wilderness first aid. She developed a first aid course relevant to our zipline activities and environment and delivered an awesome course with the Tanzip Zipline team. The course is in the Tanzip training manual and will be used annually. She also guided us to put together a great custom first aid kit.
Carly also spent some time observing and mentoring students at a couple of local hospitals, on the L&D ward. She is passionate about the rights of birthing women to safe and dignified care. Carly got inspired to support Boma la Mama Birth Centre, and is committing to a giant donation in 2019; which should allow us to open the doors and start providing care. We are also putting together a prenatal course to offer to the public with information on nutrition and safety in pregnancy, what happens in labour, breastfeeding and infant nutrition, and more.
Last but not least, Carly provided Harieth and I a micro loan of $300 to start a small business sewing baby carriers. Harieth is a talented tailor here in the village. We started making mai-tei style carriers and were able to pay back our micro loan within 1 week(!) form pre-sales. Amazing. Once this first order is done and sent off the Canada, we have a second batch that are pre-paid! Harieth is dreaming of a sewing workshop with 4 sewing machines and 2 assistants. We will make baby carriers, sleeps sacs, reusable pads, and maybe even cloth diapers.
Carly has been a huge supporter; sharing her skilled training, smiles, and also money!
ASANTE SANA DADA!
Tanzania Doula Retreat offered in Jan 2019!
Two amazing and inspired doulas are offering an eleven day Traveling Doula Retreat to Tanzania focused on enabling birth professionals from around the world to serve the local women and gain hands on experience during labor and delivery in a foreign setting.
Additionally, the mission of this trip is to learn and connect with different cultures, explore the beauty of Tanzania, connect with other women, and deepen individual Doula practices.
For all the details click on their website:
https://www.wombsoftheworld.com
LK Kindergarten!
Founded in 2015, the Boma Community School is in the village of Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania. Through the support of partner organizations Boma Africa founded and maintains this free school as one their two primary charitable projects.
The village of Mto wa Mbu asked Boma Africa to help them to provide a kindergarten for the area of Mlimani Park. During the rainy season the young kids couldn’t access any schools because the creek would get to high and they could not cross the water.
This was a perfect project for Boma Africa, and the next year with funds from the Lindsay Kimmett Memorial Foundation, the first classroom was built, the Lindsay Kimmett Kindergarten!
We were also able put in two roadways to access the area, and access a water source to provide running water to the community (Thank you to the Rotary Club of Cochrane.)
The first class of students began attending in 2015, and the school is expanding every year as the children move forward.
The Boma Community School students attend for free, get porridge everyday, and they also have a playground (funded by Martin & Sue Parnell), the only playground in the village!
Boma Africa and Mto wa Mbu village have big dreams and would one day like to see the school with kindergarten through to grade 12 classes. The vision includes international school syllabus, and specialized sports, arts, and technology programs.
OUR AMAZING SUPPORTERS!
The Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Memorial Foundation
This amazing foundation literally provided the foundation for the Boma Community School Project. The first classroom, The Lindsay Kimmett Kindergarten, is Lindsay’s namesake and will continue to set the children of Mto wa Mbu on an amazing learning journey; in keeping with Lindsay’s passion for both children and education.
From Lindsay’s Family:
We, as Lindsay’s parents, are completely consumed with sorrow at her untimely passing but in an attempt to move forward positively, we have a great desire to carry on her legacy. She was an academic and so we want to encourage other youth to reach their potential by the establishment of enduring scholarships both at the High School and University level. She loved children and we are committed to supporting local youth programs in Cochrane. She shared a passion for ‘all things medical’ with her Mom and thus we hope to offer the U of C Medical School technical tools to enhance the education of the physicians of tomorrow. She shared a love of sports with her Dad and so we want to assist with local sporting facilities and enduring sponsorships for hockey players who could not normally afford to play.
The Rotary Club of Cochrane
The Rotary Club of Cochrane has been a solid supporter of Boma Africa & the Boma Community School. The club’s support has allowed Boma to identify a water source and install equipment to pump the water to the school site and the community. The Cochrane Rotary Club also provided a substantial contribution to the Sue & Martin Parnell Playground at the school site.
Sue & Martin Parnell
Sue and Martin Parnell are both from England and have lived in Cochrane, Alberta since 2005. They have been great supporters of the humanitarian organization Right To Play and over a 5 year period from 2010 to 2014 raised over $1m for the organization. Recently, they fund raised $12,000 for a playground and bouncy castle for the students of the Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Kindergarten in the village of Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania. Sue and Martin have three children, Kyle, Kristina and Calum and three grandchildren, Autumn, Nathan and baby Matthew.
Have you ever seen a cashew nut tree?
I am in the South of Tanzania, just a 2 hour drive from the border of Mozambique.
The main tribe in this area came originally from Mozambique and is called Makonde. It is a matrilineal tribe, so children follow the maternal line and traditionally the man would move to the woman’s village. If he has several wives he would travel from village to village. Modern ‘work model” economy has changed life for this tribe and more and more women are dependant on men.
The main industry here is cashew nuts and Tanzania is known as one of the world’s best cashew producers. Unfortunately I am not here at the right time of year to see the beautiful cashew fruits but was completely shocked and amazed to see how cashews grow! When they are ripe they just fall off the tree and the farmer harvests them from the ground.
They are quite expensive here, assuming due to the global price of cashews. Tanzanians do snack on them, but they aren’t a common ingredient in meals.
Serengeti Yoga Safari
We are offering an amazing yoga safari in October, 2018!
Imagine… sunrise yoga in the Serengeti, steaming chai masala, elephants wallowing at the watering hole, and the vibrancy of Africa beating in your heart…
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When: Oct 8-17, 2018
Where: Tanzania, East Africa
Accommodation: Serene African wilderness camping (privately catered)
Who: Boma Africa Non Profit Tour co., Oriane of YogaVinyasa (www.yogavinyasa.co.uk ), and you!
Why: 10 days of yoga practice on a dreamy African safari: supporting Boma Africa’s projects; pre- school and birth centre
Cost: $3675 USD (minimum 6 guests required)
Itinerary:
Day 1-
Arrival
Day2-
Morning yoga @ 8
Breakfast @ 9:30
Opening grounding circle @ 10
Swimming at Chemka Spring Oasis
Evening yoga @ 6
Dinner @ 7:30
Day3-
Morning yoga @ 6
Breakfast @ 7:00
Game drive at Tarangire National Park
Lunch at Tarangire Safari lodge
Evening yoga @ 6:00
Dinner @7:30
Day4-
Morning yoga @ 7:00
Breakfast @ 8:30
Visit to Kindergarten (do a kids yoga class with the children)
Mto wa Mbu village tour on bikes
Lunch in village of local cuisine
Tanzip Zipline Adventure
Short hike around Lake Miwaleni
Evening yoga @ 6:00
Dinner @ 7:30
Bon fire
Day5-
Sunrise yoga @ 6
Breakfast @ 7:30
Game drive in Ngorongoro Conservation area
Evening yoga @ 6:30
Dinner @ 8
Day6-
Morning yoga @ 7
Breakfast @ 8
Transfer to Serengeti for game drive
Yoga @ 6:30
Dinner @ 8:00
Day7-
Sunrise game drive at 6 with light breakfast
Morning yoga @ 8:30
Full breakfast @ 9:30
Option for spa treatment or game drive
Sunset game drive
Dinner @ 7:00
Evening yoga @ 8:30
Day8-
Morning yoga @ 7
Breakfast @ 8:30
Transfer out of Seregenti with game drive en route.
Mid day Yoga @ 3
Evening visit to Maasai Boma village.
Dinner @ 7
Day 9-
Morning yoga @ 8
Breakfast @ 9:30
Tinga tinga painting class
Hike up rift valley wall- lunch at Kirurumu Lodge
Free afternoon
Closing circle and final yoga @ 6
Dinner @ 7:30
Day 10-
Departure
Tanzania Featured in National Geographic’s “Best Trips of 2018”
Of course Tanzania is featured, it’s so amazing! They highlight the serene Ruaha National Park- it’s Tanzania’s largest park and is found on the Southern Safari circuit so is relatively quiet when it comes to tourist volume.
Ruaha National Park
This is Tanzania’s second largest park, and deemed also the second wildest park in Tanzania. Game routes follow the Ruaha River, where wildlife of all kinds migrates to catch a drink of life nourishing water. Leopards and lions wait in the grasses while antelope shyly make their way to the water’s edge, quickly sipping before escaping to safety! Ruaha has the distinction of housing a great diversity of antelope, affecting this park’s ecosystem to be unique, abundant, and magnificent.
Read more about Tanzania’s Southern Safari Circuit
Read the National Geographic article here
The LK Kindergarten playground
Every time I go running up the wall of the rift valley here in Mto wa Mbu I pass the school and the community centre. In addition to the AMAZING view and the great workout , what makes me really happy is that there are children playing on the Sue and Martin Parnell playground! The playground is locally built and is the only public playground around. In addition there are new homes popping up around the area.
It has been 4 years since it was built and it is in need of some TLC. Such a gift for the students at the school, and the children living in the area that have a place to play! Repairs and upgrades that we would love to get done include;
- creating a shade area for the hot days/ afternoons
- putting sand/ soft ground down
- repairing the merry go round that had an arm fall off
- replace the wooden slide with a rolling PCV pipe slide
- replace the wooden seats in the teeter- totter
- install new additions
- we already acquired about 20 old tires that we can use to build some cool climbing/ agility structures
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WANT TO HELP?
- We are accepting donations for playground upgrades!
- email Boma Africa: bomaafrica@gmail.com
5 REASONS TO VISIT TANZANIA
You are planning your next holiday… Africa has always been on your bucket list- but why choose Tanzania?
1.Mount Kilimanjaro
Climbing Kilimanjaro is truly an amazing and extraordinary experience. The spectacular views, unique flora, and achievement of trekking this mountain cannot be duplicated. For many, Kilimanjaro is a lifelong dream, for others a last minute adventure. If you decide to climb Kilimanjaro, be ready to reach deep, triumph over fears and challenges, and celebrate your climb for many years to come!
Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa, and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world! It highest point, Uhuru Peak, is 5895 metres (19341 feet) above sea level.
Kilimanjaro is an inactive strato-volcano with three different volcanic cones, Shira, Kibo/ Uhuru, and Mawenzi.
Kilimanjaro is 3 degrees (330km) south of the equator and 88 from the Great Rift Valley. It is in Northern Tanzania, near to the border of Kenya.
Many years ago, Kilimanjaro was a popular destination for different tribes of East Africa, as it is the only place one can find snow! Shifting of peoples and intermarriage led to the development of new ethnic groups. The current tribe of Kilimanjaro region, the Chagga, is actually a newer tribe, made up of the many settling people of those past years. These people live in the first region of Kilimanjaro, the cultivated zone, and you will pass their homes and villages on the way to the park gate.
2. Zanzibar
Sultry and mysterious, the island of Zanzibar is the biggest of the “Spice Islands”. Tourists flock to Zanzibar for the beautiful beaches, snorkelling, spice tours, centuries old Arabic architecture and the ambiance that isn’t replicated anywhere in the world. It is a perfect paradise for indulging after climbing Kilimanjaro or a bone-jarring safari on rough roads.
Stonetown was awarded status as a World Heritage Site in 2000 and is accessed by a short flight from Arusha or a two hour ferry ride from Dar es Salaam.
3. Serengeti
World famous and indescribable, the plains of Serengeti offer the classic picture of African wildlife. Here is where you are likely to see lions on the hunt for zebra, or the colossal migration of a million wildebeest. Serengeti is a designated world heritage site, as one the largest wildlife refuges worldwide, covering 14763 square km.
4. Tribes
The Maasai are a semi nomadic pastoralist tribe, living in windowless smoky mud huts. A visit to their Boma reveals their everlasting traditional lifestyle, large polygamous families living and raising cattle for sustenance of life. Scattered throughout Kenya and Tanzania, the Maasai are known for their rites of circumcision, warrior status, and resonating chanting. Including a stopover to a Boma on your safari will be an evocative and unforgettable experience.
The Hadzabe are one of the last nomadic hunter-gatherer societies that traditionally subsist on roots and fruits gathered by the women, and the meat hunted by the men. Their most common prey is baboon, and the second, zebra! Visiting the Hadzabe at the shores of Lake Eyasi gives you the opportunity to glance into their lifestyle, by seeing their grass huts and communities or by participating in hunting, gathering, jewellery making and more.
5. Glamping
The tented camps in Tanzania are just stunning. Accommodation ranges from regular tent camping (with a private chef and tent crew) to the definition of “glamping”. These camps offer five star cuisine and gorgeous design, and are set amongst the diverse ecological backgrounds of Tanzania. Imagine sipping a glass of wine or cup of coffee in the middle of the Savannah as you watch herds of elephants or zebras walk right past your tent. 
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