SafariLands.org: Tourism: Alternative and sustainable tourism in Maasai land

Handicapped enjoying eco-safari

Ronaldo, one of the 'chuo cha farasi' managers, leading a horse ride into the wild

Though without water and electricity, this ecological camp is warm and welcoming, mixing recycled and traditional materials, Maasai bomas made by villagers encircle a main mud-hall with plastic-bottle walls.

Welcome to Okaria camp located in Maasai land, perched in cactus and acacias. It is in an open space where maasai Mamas pass between their village and the nearby caves where they take out this special red earth that produces their traditional paintings. Though without water and electricity, this ecological camp is warm and welcoming, mixing recycled and traditional materials, Maasai bomas made by villagers encircle a main mud-hall with plastic-bottle walls.

Chuo cha Farasi is a Tanzanian company led by its five dynamic managers; Carlos, from Spain, Ronaldo and Benjamin from Kilimanjaro, Peter from Kenya and George from Morogoro. This young and original organization promotes ethical tourism, off the well-known safari-roads which jeopardize sensitive natural areas, like Lake Manyara or Mount Kilimanjaro. For example they would accompany people to Oldonyo Lengai, Maasai holy mountain meaning "Mountain of God" in their language. Still an active volcano, it is surrounded by stupendous natural reserve. Furthermore, their kind of safari includes riding a horse in a giraffe-populated area, canoeing on Babati lake, biking alongside elephants or walking close to antelope.

This alternative tourism respecting nature and people is open to small budget as well as long distance safaris. But their most uncommon phenomenon is hosting mentally or physically disabled persons. Last year, a group of handicapped including blind people came to enjoy Tanzania, listening birds and winds, smelling savannah, singing with Maasai, tasting African food and more.

Eco-camp workers are ready to provide special equipment and attention, allowing them unexpected access to the animal kingdom. One of their mottos is to open barriers, in terms of activities and areas as well as absorbing cultural and socio-economical gaps. In fact, many benefits go to local communities through sponsorships.

Veronica, secretary of the company in Arusha-shop, sells colourful and equitable products. They are handmade by patients of Lutindi Mental Hospital, the first psychiatric hospital established in East Africa. Or others are from Arusha Cleaner, which recycle plastic bags to elaborate lovely monkeys and giraffes, and also by a Maasai women group. Chuo cha farasi also finances a school in Kisongo where international volunteers come to teach children for some months in the year.

Okaria-management is in itself a challenge for these young and hopeful members: some of them come from the street and made their way out thanks to Watoto foundation. That's the story of Lucas, who prepares barbecue under a starry sky. It's the same for Ronaldo, who came from street to become the operational manager of the eco-camp. He explains us in a perfect English that he also teaches children and learnt to ride horses in Chuo cha farasi.

That makes him lead some tourist activities. Chuo cha farasi was first a horse riding school aiming at ecological transportations and giving opportunities for Tanzanians to ride. It was created by Carlos as he was manager in Kigongoni lodge. He finally built up an independent and sustainable project of ecotourism out of it. That is when Benjamin came to the organization, having studied and worked in horse-keeping. He smoothly tells about champion's past carriers within the fourteen horses he cares about…

As a matter of fact, it is also an important objective of the project to give these boys English language and management skills, especially in terms of accountability so that later on they could be independent and have more professional opportunities. The managers hope that one day they could promote their company and its way of thought in international fairs.

Source: http://www.arushatimes.co.tz