Our Projects

Tribes has helped set up two community-based tourism initiatives which are locally-owned and run, although with Tribes still involved on an advisory level:

• Kahawa Shamba in Tanzania
• Incatambo in Peru

In 2001, TWIN Trading asked Tribes to get involved in a joint venture with them, as the tourism experts. TWIN is the UK’s leading alternative trading company.  Cafe Direct (which was initially set up by TWIN) were also part of the venture.

TWIN raised funding from the British government under their Pro-Poor Tourism Challenge Fund, with the aim of bringing a second income stream to impoverished coffee farmers who are being badly affected by dreadful world coffee prices.   Tribes and Cafe Direct match-funded the government funding.

Tribes were instrumental in choosing the projects and sites, and have made many trips to both sites to advise on what will attract tourists and what expectations need to be met for the ventures to be successful and sustainable.

 

Kahawa Shamba in Tanzania

Since it began welcoming guests in late 2004, we are delighted that Kahawa Shamba is gaining ever-increasing recognition as an exciting, welcoming and inspiring option for anyone wanting to stay on or near Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Here you can take breathtaking walks and find out about Chagga life.

Kahawa Shamba consists of 4 traditionally-styled huts (each with two beds and an en-suite bathroom) and a central dining hut.  These are situated close to the picturesque Weru Weru Gorge, not too far from the Machame Gate on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Read more about staying here  ....

The Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union who coordinates coffee farmers activities owns 50% of the project while Rural Cooperative Societies (coffee producers who are registered members of the Union and sell their coffee to KNCU) owns 50% of the venture.

Communities benefit indirectly from the project from the funds set aside for community-based activities such as school building, coffee seedling nurseries. Some organised groups and individuals directly get payments through guiding and by selling food staff to the project. The local people also provide crafts and other items to the tourists. Families and the community are informed during meetings about management of waste resulting from tourism, and environmental protection education is given to the community.

 

Incatambo in Peru

This project was undertaken in conjunction with COCLA, a Peruvian coffee growers association. It consists of a tourist lodge on the road between Abra Malaga and Quillabamba.   PeruVerde, a Peru-based conservation organisation was employed to coordinate the construction of the lodge, and Tribes is providing tourism advice, along with InkaNatura Travel (the commercial division of Peru Verde).

Depending on the road conditions, it is a 4–4½ hour drive from Cusco to the lodge.   The journey includes a climb through the Abra Malaga pass at over 4200 m before descending  through cloud forest and tea plantations to the lodge.

The lodge has 7 spacious bungalows built in the style of Inca houses, all with ensuite facilities.  
From the lodge it is a 20 minute walk and short climb crossing the river to the Inca site of Inca Tambo which has been recently renovated.  

The main purpose of this lodge is as a base to begin a ‘new’ Inca Trail which is currently being developed.