Home/About Us
Rombo Cultural Tourism Enterprise (ROCTE) is a Community based tourism initiative established and operating in Mengwe village, Rombo district, the Eastern Slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro with beautiful viewpoints and the legendary lake Challa. Rombo district has both natural and cultural heritage to offer to the visitors. It is home to the Rongai route, which is the only approach of the mountain from the northern side and again 70% of the total area of Kilimanjaro National Park lies in Rombo district.
Tours in Rombo offers panoramic view of Mount Kilimanjaro’s Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. There are the “home gardens”/agro forestry extensions, volcanic cone Lake Chala bordering Kenya’s Tsavo National Park, unique flora with indigenous trees, wild flowers and fruit nurseries and fauna rich in avian species, primates, reptiles, amphibians, insects and migratory elephants.
Our base office is located in Mengwe village, GPS coordinates S0315280, E03736534. It is 15 kilometers from Kilimanjaro National Park headquarters at Marangu, 34 kilometers from Rongai gate, 45 kilometers from Moshi town, 124 kilometers from Arusha tourist city, 84 kilometers from Kilimanjaro International Airport and 16 kilometers from the legendary Lake Chala. At Mengwe village we are located 200 meters from the Moshi – Tarakea/Oloitoktok highway. This area is ideal place for visitors to learn and experience the culture and lifestyle of the Chagga ethnic people when are in Kilimanjaro for mountain trekking, wildlife safaris, research or business travel. It is also an ideal destination for visitors trekking Mount Kilimanjaro through the Rongai route, the only approach from the north
“Sustainable eco-cultural tourism practices that conserves the environment and improve the wellbeing of the native communities”
“To preserve and promote the traditional culture of the Chagga ethnic people and conserve the environment for future generations”
Value of your decision to embark on this eco-cultural tour does also support some native families with food, employment, personal income, medical treatments and education. All food supplies are bought from local farmers living around the centre. Part of the profit will be used in the Village Development Fund to support renovation of classrooms in the village primary schools. In the long run, Rombo CTE will work with other community development stakeholders to establish a Cultural Heritage Center in the District