Mang'ula boasts a market and a numbe rof shops and businesses, and of course a railway station which connects the village to Dar es Salaam one way and Zambia the other. This TAZARA railway is something of a lifeline for the valley, delivering supplies and taking away goods for export. The passenger trains run somewhat haphazardly and infrequently, but they do run, and wander around the station or a trip on the train are always interesting.

The Kilombero Valley is home to a diverse group of people. The majority of the population are of the Wandamba tribe, but as a result of the mixed economic activities in the area there are many other tribal peoples found here, and intermarriage between the Wandamba and the Masai, the Wasukuma and the Wabema tribes is common. The name "Wandamba" translates as "People of the Valley", and gives us an insight into the long history these people have within this beautiful area.

The majority of the villagers are subsistence farmers, growing mainly rice and maize crops, or fishermen operating along the Ruaha and Kilombero Rivers. There are of course other industries, most notably sugar cane cultivation along the flood plain of the valley. The king of sugar cane cultivation in the valley is the Ilovo Sugar Plantation, which owns tracts of land across the valley floor and supplies international sugar companies such as Tate and Lyle.

If you fancy more of a full day trip, take a drive to the local town of Ifakara and wander around the bustling local market, before visiting the Womens Weavers project.

There are many more options to get involved and experience everyday life in Tanzania. Spend an afternoon roaming around the local shambalands (farmlands) with a local to give you all the info on the crops and farming methods; visit a primary or secondary school and meet the staff and students; stop in at a local orphanage and see what you can do to help; visit a village dispensary or medical centre.

Please Contact Us for further information about these excursions.