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Mlinga trailmap (draft) |
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Treasure Cave |
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Project team at the Vikioi ritual site |
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Mlinga peak seen from the trail |
Mlinga Trail
Length: About 12 km (a full-day trip)
Requirements: for fit people who can walk in variable terrain (several climbs and descents).
1. Mwembeni village center - starting point of the trail. The village can be accessed by car.
2. Kijaji Viewpoint
This is a viewpoint where Mlinga peak can be observed clearly just after coming out from an oil palm plantation. On the way there is a big tree (Afzelia quanzensis) that produces water from its branches during dry season. The seeds, which are red and black, are used to make necklaces is some African countries. There is a very nice view to Muuka valley, the forested Segoma Hills, Indian Ocean, and Tanga City. The place is good for bird watching as it has lots of birds of different species.
3. Treasure Cave
This is a big rock on the Kwehondo ridge with a man-made cave under it. The cave was dug because it is believed that Germans hid a treasure under the rock after surrendering to Britain in the 2nd World War in 1945. The place of the suspected treasure was indicated recently by a witchdoctor and people started to dig in the place. However, no treasure has been found up to date.
4. Vikioi ritual site
This is a stone situated at the edge of a natural intact forest along the footpath to the Mlinga Mountain. People of the nearby villages respect the place because it is used for ritual services. Many people still visit the place for their traditional prayers and it is common to see coins or food on a plate left as offerings for ancestral spirits next to the stone. Also goats and chicken are sometimes sacrificed and eaten here. The small intact forest has been left undisturbed for ritual purposes, reflecting how ritual beliefs can promote forest conservation. Blue monkeys and different species of birds can be observed in the forest. The place has a nice view to Tanga City and the Indian Ocean.
5. Entry to the Mlinga Forest Reserve
At the entry point to the forest reserve, the border of the reserve is marked with a line of planted teak trees. Forest is seen ahead of the trail and open rock faces on the right side of the mountain. The eastern slopes of the Mlinga Mountain are bare because fires, which escaped from the farms on the lower slopes, have destroyed the forest some years ago.
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| Local tour guide Rogers and spiritual flags on the peak of Mlinga |
6. Meet with spirits on the Mlinga Mountain Peak
Mlinga Mountain is believed to have the greatest spiritual power of all mountains in the East Usambara. It also hosts rare medicinal herbs that are rare elsewhere. Traditional healers even from other parts of Tanzania travel to Mlinga to collect medicinal plants.
While climbing the forest-covered ridge towards the Mlinga peak, different species trees, shrubs, herbs and animals (e.g. snakes, baboons, blue monkeys, black-and-white colobuses), birds (e.g. Fisher's Turaco) and insects can be observed. Tree bark has been collected by medicinal healers from trees along the footpath. When approaching the peak, which is 1060 m above sea level, trees disappear and vegetation turns to grassland with scattered bushes. On the top, you are surrounded by magnificent views to the lowlands areas, other mountains of the East Usambara, Tanga City, the Indian Ocean, and the Shimba Hills in Kenya. Different birds flying around the peak can be observed. There are spiritual healers’ colorful flags on the peak.
Note: During strong wind it is not safe to climb to the peak or even enter the forest because of the danger of tree falls.
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| A flowering Saintpaulia and seedlings near the Mlinga Peak |
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Mabejani subvillage |
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| Kwesimba villager demonstrating an apparatus used for squeezing of sugarcane juice |
7. Saintpaulias in Mlinga
When descending the Mlinga peak, the trail passes through a healthy population of Saintpaulia ionantha. If visited during the flowering season (Sept-Dec) it is possible to see bees pollinating the flowers. After the March-May rainy reason it is easy to see seedlings. It is strictly forbidden to collect any parts of this endangered plant.
8. Mabejani subvillage
On the way back from Mlinga, the trail passes through Mabejani, a subvillage of Mwembeni where tourists can meet with the villagers and observe domestic animals, fruit trees, different kinds of crops and crop processing.
9. Paint hole (Shimo la rangi)
This is a wetland area about 10 m aside of the trail where villagers dig pink coloured soil to paint their houses.
10. Kwesimba subvillage
In this subvillge, spice cultivations and crop processing can be demonstrated by the villagers. The name of the village means ‘the place of lion’. That is because many years ago a lion (or lions) lived in the area of the village. There are no longer lions in the East Usambara Mountains.
Other attractions that can be connected with Mlinga trail:
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Muao Peak |
Kwemahusa subvillage: A spice farm with black pepper, clover, cinnamon etc.
Muao peak
A hill top formed of rocks, and covered by little trees and shrubs. Lots of bird calls can be heard and various plant species, including the Saintpaulia, can be seen. Many animal species such as rock hyrax, blue monkey and chameleon also live in this remnant patch of natural forest. Indian Ocean and Tanga City can be observed from the peak. The hill could be nice for rock climbers. Suggested development is the improvement of the footpath towards the peak.
Kerosene water (Maji ya mafuta ya taa)
This is a spring with kerosene smelling water. It is located along the footpathl between Mabejani and Kwesimba subvillages. However, this attraction is seasonal because the kerosene smell can be sensed only during dry season.
Hyrax and bat caves (Mapango ya pelele na popo)
These are series of caves situated along Mabejani - Misozwe footpath in the Mlinga Forest Reserve. The caves are under a huge rock outcrop. To see the hyraxes one has to stay still and spend some time in the place. The caves are also a home of many bats, which can be seen hanging on the cave’s walls during day time. Many indigenous and endemic submontane tree species such as Allanblackia stuhlmannii, Isoberlinia scheffleri and Tabanaemontana species can be observed around the caves. The place is also suitable for camping, because water is available only a few meters from the site.
Satanic cave (Pango la mizimu)
This is a small cave in Mwembeni village where spiritual service is offered by a traditional healer called Dr. Jumanne. Several working tools for traditional healing can be observed.