Magula Trail
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Magula trailmap |
Trail length: About 10 km.
If you plan to walk this trail, contact the owner of the Magrotto Estate, the Amboni Sisal Properties Ltd:
| Dr. Georges C. Hess | |
| e-mail: | fidos (at) tex-chem.com |
| Tel | +254-20-4440890 |
Or:
| Dr. Tobias Gress | |
| e-mail: | tobias.gress (at) ambonisisal.com |
| Tel: | +255-784 200 290 |
| Mobile: | +255-784 503 363 |
Requirements: For fit people (includes several hundred meters descent to Magula village, and a climb back to the Magrotto Estate).
Magula trail is a round trip starting from the main road passing through the Magrotto Estate and returning back to the same road near the entry point of the trail. The first kilometer of the trail passes through oil palm cultivations and then climbs up to a ridge in natural forest.
1. Proposed Mkungu camping site
After coming out from the fores, the trail descends to a nice open area suitable for establishment of a camping site. Water is available from a spring approximately 150 m from the site. The place has a very good view to the Mlinga peak, Segoma Hills, and Mabayani dam on the lowland, Tanga town and Indian Ocean. Slow moving ocean breeze creates a cool climate for the place. The place belongs to one of the villagers who could be supported to develop it as a camping site. Many birds can be observed so the place would be a nice camping site especially for bird watchers.
2. Mkungu – Village on the Ridge
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Mkungu subvillage on the ridge |
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The drumming place (Toeo ja ngoma) |
Mkungu, a subvillage of Magula, is located on a beautiful ridge also called Mkungu. On top of the ridge there is a place called 'Toeo ja ngoma', a drumming place. The village has nice views to the surrounding lowlands and hills. One of the local tour guides trained in the project lives in Mkungu and can arrange a tour in the village.
3. Drumming place (Toeo ja ngoma)
On this highest point of the Mkungu ridge, drum was beaten or trumpet played by certain person in the village to warn the villagers of a danger during tribal wars, or to invite people to an important meeting. Different drum beats had a different message. Mlinga Mountain can be seen clearly from the place. Also the Indian Ocean, Tanga town, lowland plains and Shimba Hills of Kenya can be observed. This is a nice point for viewing sun rise early in the morning. Various butterfly and bird species can be observed. Also many plants and domestic animals, can be seen when walking towards the ridge peak.
4. Seluka subvillage
Seluka is the administrative center of Magula village. In the village center there is a primary school and some small kiosks. Three of the tour guides trained by the project live in Seluka and can shown around the village.
5. Magrotto estate lake
This is a very beautiful small man-made lake situated in the Magrotto Estate, located about 1 km from the estate headquarters. The lake is surrounded by oil palm trees and some natural trees that form an attractive scenery. The lake has several water fauna, including fish and snakes. There is a small hut with a table and benches. There is a slashed footpath around the lake.
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Views from the Magrotto Estate lake |
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Other attractions that can be connected with Magula trail:
Porcupine cave (Pango ja nungunungu)
This cave is a home of porcupines, rodents with a coat of sharp spines. They are strange animals who can attack by throwing spines from their body. Local people who eat these animals say that the meat is delicious. Many spines can be observed around the caves.
Pacha waterfalls
These are beautiful waterfalls (ca. 15 m high) situated along Muuka river north of the Seluka subvillage. This is a suitable area for establishment of a picnic site. Many birds, blue monkeys and plant species can be seen in the vicinity of the waterfalls.
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| Women from Kisiwani dancing a traditional dance 'donga' on the way to greet a new born baby |
Female stone (Jiwe la kike)
This is a strange rock with a shape of female sexual organ formed naturally. It is situated just a few meters from the estate lake so visitors to the lake also have an opportunity to see the rock. Local women hate the rock, which is understandable.
Kisiwani subvillage
This subvillage is known for its lively dancing traditions.