Entrance to the Kilimanjaro Eco Lodge Cantina
Although all trips into the Kilimanjaro parks must be booked with guided services that knowledgeable regulated for the mountain’s and locals wellbeing , there is also the issue of supporting sustainable tourism in the surrounding area that is the extended environment of the mountain. In the Boy Scouts, we teach that when you camp in an area that you might trample the grasses in the area from hiking or setting your tent up on them, you have to un-matt the grasses with your hands before you leave the nest day so the grasses do not get crushed and develop into packed soil where nothing grows. The top grassy layer with soil and needles and leaves and pinecones is called “duff”. To create minimal impact, you Fluff your Duff. One business in the area that appears to have the beauty and sustainability of the zone in mind is the Kilimanjaro Ecolodge. (http://kilimanjaro-ecolodge.com/ ) Located in Arusha outside of Mt. Meru and Kilimanjaro parks, the Kilimanjaro Ecolodge strives to maintain local means and cultures for tourists to experience, without making them just a display. The Lodge uses local materials and laborers using traditional architecture for its buildings, handmade local soaps for its guests and traditional meals from its onsite organic garden and dairy (cows, chickens and goats). The garden also uses the lodge’s grey water and composted food waste. Much of the lodge’s water comes from collected rainwater and some of it power from solar, with the lodge planning on expanding into bio-gas in the future.
The lodge also meets a great point of successful tourism without exploitation by offering many cultural experiences. The lodge can arrange market, coffee farm and village tours as well as traditional cooking classes and even home-stays in the local village.
They can also offer or arrange a variety of nature and park hikes including trips into Arusha National Park and Mt. Kilimanjaro. There are also a variety of volunteer opportunities that range from work with local schools, NGOs and even tree plantings.
I would highly recommend inquiring into the Kilimanjaro Eco Lodge for your visit based on its cooperation and healthy exposure to the local environment and culture while contributing and even having a positive impact on the local work force, physical environment and people.
The lodge also meets a great point of successful tourism without exploitation by offering many cultural experiences. The lodge can arrange market, coffee farm and village tours as well as traditional cooking classes and even home-stays in the local village.
They can also offer or arrange a variety of nature and park hikes including trips into Arusha National Park and Mt. Kilimanjaro. There are also a variety of volunteer opportunities that range from work with local schools, NGOs and even tree plantings.
I would highly recommend inquiring into the Kilimanjaro Eco Lodge for your visit based on its cooperation and healthy exposure to the local environment and culture while contributing and even having a positive impact on the local work force, physical environment and people.
Kilimanjaro Eco Lodge Employee instucting at a tree planting activity.
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