Located at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, Rau Forest Reserve is a hidden gem nestled right next to Moshi where backpackers begin their treks up Africa’s tallest peak. Passionate about environmental awareness and conservation, Rau Forest Reserve boasts a diverse array of butterflies, birds, trees, and other wildlife! Spot blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys chittering in the branches. Learn about sacred 200 year-old trees and their significance to local communities. Sip fresh coconut milk while watching colorful water birds in the rice fields at the edge of the forest and, if weather permits, view of Mount Kilimanjaro! Still don’t feel like you’ve experienced the true local lifestyle? Do a homestay with a local family to learn Swahili words, listen to traditional storytelling, try more local foods, and have the opportunity for meaningful cultural exchange.