Visit Longido for an Authentic Taste of Tanzania
Longido is an area that doesn’t see many tourists but offers some unique adventures for all types of travelers.
Adventures in Longido, Tanzania
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a walking safari and climb Mount Longido. Travelers interested in learning about the culture of Tanzania can spend the day at an authentic Maasai boma and learn some of the traditions of the local Maasai tribe. I especially like Longido as a two-day adventure for families with kids because if you visit Longido, all these activities will allow little ones to get outside and enjoy rugged Tanzania.
What’s great about Longido:
Location: Longido is located only 80 km from Arusha town, making a trip to Longido a convenient and easy 1-hr drive.
Mount Longido is an awesome climb that is a lot more challenging than meets the eye – to reach the summit, climbers need to scramble over boulders and scale secured ladders, bolted into the rock face.
Hike: another fun activity in the Longido area is to go for a hike to a nearby waterfall. It’s not challenging, like the Mount Longido trek, and is easy and fun for kids to do, too, if you’re looking for a family-friendly experience.
Cultural experiences in Longido are very cool and authentic. You can ask to visit a Maasai boma, help herd cattle, participate in a jumping contest or learn how to milk a goat. You’ll probably be asked to enjoy some fresh milk, too, so be ready to drink up!
Walking Safaris in Longido don’t require participants to pay entry fees to National Parks, so you’ll be able to enjoy walking in nature for less. Instead of walking with an armed ranger, like in Arusha National Park, you’ll be guided by a Maasai warrior (who will probably carry a spear, just in case). On my recent walking safari in Longido, we followed a group of 3 giraffes for around 20 minutes in the bush – it was the highlight of our trip, my kids couldn’t stop talking about how cool it was to see giraffes so close.
Camping in Longido is one of my family’s favorite activities. While there are options to bring your own tent and camp out on a reserved plot of land, we prefer to stay at Serengeti Big Cat’s campsite, which has permanent tents on platforms, all fitted with real toilets and showers for a luxury experience. And really, when traveling with kids, having running water is aahhmazing! If you visit Longido, please do go camping! There are few guest houses in the area, and really, why not enjoy sleeping in a tent, under the stars in such a beautiful location?
Bike Riding: If you’re a cyclist, then consider biking in and around Longido. The area is very flat, making it nice for kids to ride (but watch out for lots of acacia thorns – they will puncture tires!). My kids had a blast riding bikes all over the campsite, and we even did a quick ride beside the highway, too. We went in the late afternoon, when it wasn’t so hot and it was a perfect end to a day in Longido.
Overnight or 2-day Excursion: Longido is an uncommon adventure to experience in Tanzania that works well as an overnight, especially if you’re heading to or from Lake Natron (the road to reach Lake Natron is near Longido), or if you’re looking for a quick, 2-day excursion not too far from Arusha town.
If you want to try something a little different or have a bit of time available on your Tanzanian itinerary, why not visit beautiful Longido?
Let’s plan your climb, hike, or camping trip in Longido.