Pare Mountains

The Pare mountains run in two blocks, North and South, between Kilimanjaro and the Usambaras, and they are Eastern Arc country: old forest on the tops, terraced farms below, and a Pare population who have worked these slopes for centuries with their own irrigation and sacred forest groves. Cultural walking programmes run from villages such as Usangi and Mbaga, taking in the forest, the ridges and viewpoints looking out over the Maasai plains and towards Kilimanjaro.

What you actually see

• The sacred groves - forest patches kept for ritual use and never cleared.
• The terraced farming - hand-built terraces and irrigation on the slopes.
• The village walks - guided routes run from Usangi, Mbaga and other villages.
• The plains view - the Maasai steppe and Kilimanjaro from the ridge tops.

When to go

June to October is driest and best for walking. The rains make the tracks difficult. Mornings are clearest for the long views.

Honest expectations

There is no tourism infrastructure to speak of and arrangements are made through village programmes. Accommodation is homestay or basic guesthouse. Roads up into the hills are rough.

Nearby

Mkomazi is east, and Moshi is northwest.