​​The Iraqw people inhabit the Mbulu Highlands south and west of the Ngorongoro Crater, where they have formed a very intensive agro-pastoralist livelihood. Deep valleys, terraced fields, houses perched on peaks or clinging to the edge of cliffs are typical to the enchanting landscape. Due to the high population density, most of the native forest has been cut-down for agriculture or to plant non-native trees for fuel and building material. However, within this complex of people and agriculture lies the Nou Forest, an isolated, little visited remnant of montane (highland) forest on the Mbulu plateau.
Dorobo has collaborated with the neighboring Iraqw villages and the regional forest department to use the area for tourism which also supports its main purpose – a watershed for the surrounding areas. Other controlled resource extraction from the forest for surrounding communities include building material, seasonal grazing and medicinal plants.
A visit to Nou integrates cultural interaction with walking and exploring this enchanted forest.