Camp Mbokomu

 

 

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Location
Accommodation Style
Food & Drink
Staffing
Communications
Culture
Transport
Projects

Video

 

 

Overview 

 

Camp Mbokomu (Mmm-bo-ko-moo) acts as the main location for our Camp Tanzania & Zanzibar itinerary and our summer Team Expeditions.

 

 

Location 

 

Mbokomu is located in the foothills of Kilimanjaro and affords you a stunning view of the mountain from the minute you step out of your tent. Moshi is the nearest town and only 10 minutes drive away. In addition within one-hour you are in an area famed as home to probably the best safari experience in Africa.

We are co-located with a small local hotel that is manned 24/7 and provides us with security, communications, food and staff. Mbokomu School is a short walk of 200 metres up the road and is normally made with the local kids on their way to and from lessons. The surrounding villages are a lush green and the people always smiling and friendly.

 

 

Accommodation Style  

 

We use large safari style tents that you will share with your fellow (same sex) travellers. We provide you with a bed, bedding and some simple camp furniture.

The water for washing is linked to the mains and dan dan daaaah, we have showers and normal loo's so no need to panic. In fact with the hotel supporting the camp just metres away life is very comfortable. Arguably too comfortable! The Camp is linked to the mains and backed up by generator. There are British, 3 pin sockets in camp for you to power and charge your electric items and batteries.

 

 

Food & Drink  

 

We have a dedicated dining room and bar in the hotel and you are provided with unlimited fresh drinking water, breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can buy soft drinks and beers during your down time.

 

Fresh fish, meat, chicken, fruit and vegetables are all part of your weekly menu and a wide range of diets can also be catered for including vegetarian and vegan.

 

Staffing 

 

Lucy Ndesamburo is a successful Mother, Hotelier and now Member of Parliament for Moshi. She leads a wonderful team who will personally manage your stay, keep you safe and make sure you have the time of your life. They are born and raised in the area and will provide you with a link to local life that you would otherwise not have. Mama Lucy is in charge and her team will soon feel like family to you.

 

Communications

 

Just a few metres from Camp is a small internet room contained within the Hotel. Hourly rates are very reasonable and this means that keeping in touch with home is simple. Your mobile phone will work on roaming but it is of course very expensive. We suggest you make calls once in a while from the Hotel or buy a Tanzanian sim card on arrival. Whilst on safari or in our vehicles, drivers and staff carry a mixture of either phone or radio communications.

 

Culture 

 

You will be living with a small community and the predominant tribe is Chagga. As with most of our community projects in East Africa , we focus on educational issues as and much of your time on projects will centre on the school. Tanzanians are wonderful people and will want to know all about you and welcome you to their way of life. Take the time to visit their homes and share simple exchanges that will stay with you forever. We hope that the African way of life manages to get under your skin the way it has for us.

 

Transport 

 

Lucy's extensive fleet of vehicles, which will cater for your key transfers, supports Camp Mbokomu . These include several Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, minibuses and 28 seat Coaster Buses. All vehicles are certified road safe and are regularly serviced. Not something you find everywhere in Africa !

 

 

Projects 

 

Our main focus for 2007 will be improving infrastructure at the school. Many of the classrooms are in disrepair and there is a huge amount of maintenance work to be completed. We have decided to start by re-building the main school kitchen that provides lunch for about 800 kids every day in the form of maize meal, known locally as Ugali.

 

As you can see from the photo we effectively need to start from scratch with the building and you will be involved in everything from mixing the cement to laying the bricks and erecting the roof.

 

Concurrent to the main project there are a number of other smaller but essential tasks such as:

 

• Teaching
• Provision of sporting facilities
• Classroom painting and renovation
• Fencing
• Tree planting
• Desk building
• Sports coaching

 

 

 

Video