Visitors on their way to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park pass through the town of Karatu, under the benevolent peak of Ol Deani, on their way through the northern highlands. After climbing the Manyara Escarpment, the vegetation becomes lusher and greener, finally entering the highlands around Karatu. The extinct volcano of Ol Deani has gentle slopes, and it is a prominent feature of the landscape.

The area’s cool climate, verdant hills, and pleasing views make it popular with settlers and farmers. Vast and extensive fields cover the slopes of the volcano and the lands around Karatu Town. Coffee was a main crop grown for export, and a few large farms that remained in private hands still cultivate the cash crop on the hills and small valleys outside of town. Karatu offers splendid views of the northern highlands and is a popular base for visitors on their way to Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

KARATU IRAQW CULTURAL TOURISM
The group was set up as Sandemu Iraqw Art and Culture Promoters in the year 2000 in Bashay village of Karatu district, Arusha region. This group has built a show centre to display the traditional culture of the Iraqw people. The Iraqw is the main ethnic group living in Karatu and Mbulu districts. They also live in Babati and Hanang districts. Their objective is to compile for posterity, a record of the lifestyle, traditions, history and culture of the Iraqw people, and also to involve and benefit local people in cultural tourism, thereby disseminating information and knowledge of the ancient traditions to the world.

Activities:
*Walking tours in the villages, mountains and bush and, vary from several hours to several days – Walking tours can be extended to include the Hadzabe and Datogan in Lake Eyasi.)
*Visits to historical sites like German and British settlements, coffee plantations, and graves in Oldeani on the rim of the Oldeani Mountain and Ngorongoro Crater.
*Traditional Iraqw meals – ugali (stiff porridge) with meat, vegetables, milk, fresh honey, kande (maize and beans) and more.
*Camping in rural and natural traditional environment or stays in Iraqw traditional houses
*Displays of traditional wares -weapons, garments, gourds, baskets, mats, day pots and stone tools.

GANAKO KARATU CULTURAL TOURISM:
Ganako-Karatu is situated on the way from Arusha to the national parks in northern Tanzania, just on the lower slopes of Ngorongoro highlands outside the Ngorongoro and Serengeti, it is an important resting place for most safari travellers.

GANAKO KARATU OFFERS:

•  walk through the Ngorongoro highland forest, visit to coffee plantations and to enjoy the pure taste of African coffee.
• view into the culture of the Iraqw tribe in the villages surrounding Karatu
• visit to the colourful Iraqw market on the seventh day of each month
• visit to the historic and ritual sites (German Colonial Settlements)
• lunch of traditional Tanzanian food and local processed drinks
• visit to Lake Eyasi to meet the Hadzabe Bushmen, people who are believed to have lived in the area for nearly 10,000 years
• Stay with an Iraqw family to enjoy their food and their unique lifestyle

Visit the Elephant Cave and Waterfall. This hike is popular with bird watchers and those interested in the flora and fauna of his part of the Great Rift Valley. Enjoy a delicious, home-cooked meal prepared by a local woman.

Tour around Karatu town: Starting from the Centre, the tour takes you through the town to see economic activities like local markets, shops, small industries, schools, dispensaries, churches, mosques, orphanage centres and environmental centres. See how local brew is made.

Snake Hill Tour: This trip includes a climb to the top of Mlima Nyoka (Snake Hill) which is abundant in birdlife, flora, and small fauna. From the top of the hill, one can enjoy spectacular views, with Lake Manyara on the eastern side and Lake Eyasi to the west.

Oldean Village Tour: The guide will take you to Oldean village, a historic German settlement, pass through Mama India Centre where you can see different social project activities.

Rift Valley Tour: During this hike of the Rift Valley, the guide will tell you fascinating stories and the traditions of the residents. This walk takes you along the Rift Valley with panoramic views over the Salela plains and Lake Manyara. Descend to the valley floor and return to meet with and talk to local fruit, cassava, and sweet potato farmers about their irrigation scheme.

Lake Eyasi Tour: Drive to visit the Hadzabe Bushmen who are believed to have lived in the area for nearly 10,000 years. The Hadzabe are the last of the hunter/ gatherer tribes. You will be able to see their daily lives and even join the men in hunting.