Magoroto Camping Festival
Magoroto Camping festival is an iconic event that celebrates the well-conserved nature of the Usambara Mountains. The festival attracts travelers and guests from all over the world that love nature, the outdoors and celebrating the indigenous culture of the Usambara communities. The festival curates an experience that showcases the local culture while enjoying the vast outdoor activities around Magoroto Forest.
The festival aims to secure an important place in the nation’s effort to grow domestic tourism, eco-tourism and conservation of natural resources bestowed to the communities.
Traditional dances such as Mdumange, Kitulanga and Baikoko that are renowned within the Usambara community are performed interactively while outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, swimming and the famous spice tours are conducted.
Eco-tourism, Cultural tourism and Conservation are the three most powerful features upon which the festival is based.
KEY FEATURES
ECO-TOURISM
Magoroto Forest is one of the leading destinations for nature tourism in Tanzania. Being part of a Biodiversity Hotspot (WWF & IUCN), an “Important Bird Area” (Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania – WCST) and a “Man and Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO), the forest estate offers tranquility and a place to rejuvenate while disconnecting from the everyday city life.
Since opening to the public in 2018, Magoroto has been recognized and gained fame for the unique experience that it offers to its guests. Travelers and outdoor lovers have visited the estate for weekend getaways, spiritual retreats, school activity weeks, team building, corporate retreats and wanderlusts who simply want to explore nature and the outdoors. Magoroto camping festival is an annual event that brings together all those with a common love for nature to truly connect and bond with mother nature.
Through eco-tourism, participants will get a chance to enjoy the endless outdoor activities that are offered in the estate.
CULTURAL TOURISM
Eco-tourism goes hand in hand with benefiting the local community. Through the festival, local traditions are performed and celebrated. Traditional dances and local arts and crafts are both displayed in the festival arena and within the community dwellings where guests and travelers get a chance to enjoy the local food, wine and liquor.
CONSERVATION
The Usambara Mountains are home to unique species and fauna, some of which are endangered. The African violet (Saint Paulia) has been identified as one flagship plant that is conserved in the East Usambara Mountains. Magoroto Forest is home to Saint Paulia and many other indigenous plants that require conservation efforts.
Through the Magoroto camping Festival, awareness will be shared on conservation and specific flora and faunas that need immediate attention to ensure their survival for future generations.
Tree planting events to conserve the beautiful forests and nature are at the core of the camping festival.
