Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge is one of the oldest family lodges in Arusha. Acquired by Mike Leach almost 40 years ago it has been managed first by his wife Gisella and then his son Tim Leach.

Most Ngare Sero Lodge staff are employed from the local community and have had on the job training and improvement of skills. Some of our people have been with us for over 20 years, and children of the first lodge employees are still working with the company.

Upon arrival you will meet Harold and Joel at the reception,Rama and Musa at the dining and the bar. Tim, Katya and Mike Leach will always be glad to assist you.On behalf of our Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge team we wish you an enjoyable stay!

Located in a small forest reserve with a very large biodiversity of flora and fauna beside a spring, Ngare Sero Lodge aims to set an example for environmentally friendly and socially responsible tourism.

Damming the spring has created three small lakes that support a healthy ecosystem of animals and birds. We generate our own hydro-electricity to power the lodge and our organic trout farm. All drinking water comes direct from the springs, and we also supply fresh water to the neighboring schools and villages. We are striving to be carbon neutral by absorbing our carbon production via indigenous tree planting and forest protection.

The lodge purchased a portion of land surrounding the springs to extend the forest and to further protect the springs from erosion and pollution. We have recently launched a community based project of harvesting indigenous Croton megalocarpus tree seeds for vegetable oil extraction. We have tested the conversion of our company vehicles and generators to run on unprocessed vegetable oil. We have also successfully experimented on running vehicles and generators from a new source of eco-friendly ethanol production. Our aim now is to implement as much as possible the use of non-edible vegetable oil and ethanol to run our vehicles and back-up electric generators. This bio-fuel project not only produces less pollution, but transfers the money used on imported petroleum fuels to the local economy and community.

We are constructing a new efficient system of bio-gas production for cooking, using our vegetable and garden waste, and cow manure from our neighboring farms. Excess lake weed, garden plant waste and horse manure from the stables create compost for the vegetable garden. Inorganic waste is burned for a lack of any other option, and buried in deep holes on our land. Sewage is treated in septic tanks and re-cycled by deep soaking into the ground as is all waste water.

Our supplies are as much as possible locally sourced. Most of the vegetables and salads served to our guests come from our own organic garden. Ngare Sero Lodge staff employed are from the local community and have had on the job training and improvement of skills. Internships are available to local school graduates to help get better job opportunities.

We collaborate with the village government and the authorities to protect the forest and its wild inhabitants, the water source and management of water extraction.

Our region is facing several challenges due to its growing population. Water sources like the Ngare Sero Forest stream can no longer sufficiently supply all adjacent communities with clean water. In lack of water pipes many people come through the forest on foot to collect water at the Ngare Sero spring and reservoir. However, this might lead to contamination, forest cutting and poaching due to the large number of people coming to the water source.

Our Efforts:

For over 40 years the Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge has been looking after the springs and the forest for all to use. It is our duty and honour to protect the forest and water quality, consequently we have initiated a long term Ngare Sero Forest Reserve Conservation Programme. We thank the government authorities, people of the village and our loyal guests for supporting us.

Changes Made:

We constructed a new dam with a hydro-turbine water pump and laid a new 3km long pipeline. With this system water is pumped to the healthcare centre in Juakali village and into tanks at the schools. The Lodge purchased a portion of land surrounding the springs in order to extend the forest reserve. We’ve been replanting indigenous trees to protect other springs from erosion and pollution.

 

 

 

The Ngare Sero Forest Reserve Conservation Program is currently raising money for a few priorities:

  • Our aim is to complete a pipeline curcuit and build water storage tanks with distribution points where people can collect water. Beneficiaries: Nshupu Village, Nshupu Primary and Secondary Schools, as well as the forest, lake and its wild inhabitants.
  • Indigenous tree-replanting on the north side of the Ngare Sero forest. Beneficiaries: forest, lake and its wild inhabitants.
  • We have recently launched a community based project of harvesting indigenous Croton Megalocarpus tree seeds for vegetable oil extraction. We have tested the conversion of our company vehicles and generators to run on unprocessed vegetable oil. We have also successfully experimented on running vehicles and generators from a new source of eco-friendly ethanol production. Our aim now is to implement as much as possible the use of non-edible vegetable oil and ethanol to run our vehicles and back-up electric generators. This bio-fuel project not only produces less pollution, but transfers the money used on imported petroleum fuels to the local economy and community.We are constructing a new efficient system of bio-gas production for cooking, using our vegetable and garden waste, and cow manure from our neighbouring farms.Create a cooperative of harvesting croton tree seeds for vegetable oil extraction around mount Meru and Kilimanjaro,as well as distribution of croton seedlings for replanting and future harvesting. Beneficiaries: growing indigenous croton trees will benefit the eco-system of both mountains, which suffered tree chopping due to growth of population.In addition, it will bring another cash crop for local farmers where money goes directly to the community.Using carbon neutral croton seed oil is an ecological form of fuel for transportation.

We hope that our example will inspire similar projects all over Tanzania. If you would like to help us or learn more about Ngare Sero Forest Reserve Conservation program, e-mail Tim@ecoTZ.com

On behalf of the community and our team we would like to express sincere gratitude to donors and partners of Ngare Sero Forest Reserve Conservation Program:

  • Ed & Debbie Williams from Florida for donating $10,000
  • Graham and Sally Wickenden for donating $4000
  • Bimb Theobold for contributing to building the dam
  • Berta Youtie for the Environmental Impact Accessment
  • Makumira University for donating a water tank to the school
  • Tom Leach for building the turbine
  • Mike Leach for dam and village water tank design
  • Tim Leach for project management

Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge is a proud member of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travelers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and bring supplies for area schools or medical clinics in need, you’ll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and families.

Click here to visit the Pack for a Purpose website.

In 2010 Nshupu schoolteachers William and Sarah Modest founded the Precious Orphans Children’s Home, leaving secure jobs to pursue their mission to help those orphaned by AIDS. In 2012, William and Sarah formed a partnership with some concerned U.S. citizens and the nonprofit, Precious Project, was formed. Together they expanded the Children’s Home which now houses 23 children who live together with caring adults as a loving family.

In 2016, Precious Project opened the Precious English Medium Primary School which has 250 students enrolled from pre-kindergarten through the seventh grade. Excellent national exam scores have placed this school as number one in the ward and in the top ten in the district. Scholarships allow the most vulnerable children to attend the school for free and, upon graduation, students continue their secondary education with the generous support of donors. Precious Project also assists village women to organize micro-credit groups to start businesses and provide for their families. Please click here to see the link to the list of much needed items for Precious Orphans Children’s Home.