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Indigenous Cultures & Cultural Safari in Tanzania
Are you seeking a more adventurous, authentic, and closer to African nature- and culture featured safari experience?n 1
Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Lake Eyasi, Lake Manyara
Tanzania has one of the best wildlife scenery in Africa, from iconic Serengeti plains to the Eden-like beauty of the volcanic Ngorongoro crater, without forgetting the most beautiful lakes like Eyasi and Manyara.
Northern Tanzania is home to indigenous people like Maasai, Datoga, Iraqw, and Hadzabe. The history of cultural diversity in these areas spans many millennia, and experiencing the amazing African wildlife while understanding and seeing their unique cultural heritage is the only safari experience you won't regret.
We have put together an amazing safari and wildlife watching together with exploring the indigenous ethnic groups who live on the land. You experience Africa by enjoying bush walks, game drives and sleeping in beautiful eco-lodges, and camping in the wild while meeting different tribes. The cultural safari combines all the best aspects of African nature, wildlife, and visiting tribes.
The Tribes of Northern Tanzania
MAASAI
Maasai are the best ethnic group in Northern Tanzania due to their rich and fascinating nomadic culture. Maasai are pastoralists who graze large herds of cattle, sheep, and goats in the savanna. You can see them herding even in the Ngorongoro Highlands. Maasai live in homesteads called "boma," which are small family units where houses are built in circles and cattle are put inside for the night. Maasai warriors singing and dancing is a phenomenal experience in the savanna.
DATOGA
Datoga are Nilotic pastoralists like their neighbors, Maasai, with whom they had cattle rivals in the past. Datoga houses don't have doors, and during the dry season, Datoga sleep outside of their homes, lying under the stars. The Datoga practice animist beliefs and have unique rites, rituals, and ceremonies, including divination, rain-making, witchcraft, and sorcery.
HADZABE
Hadzabe are hunter-gatherers who live in the area of Lake Eyasi. Hadzabe men hunt wild animals with arrows and bows for food, and Hadzabe women gather roots and fruits. Wild honey is also an essential part of their diet. Even though the Hadzabe language has click sounds, it is an isolate language, and they are not relative to the Southern African Khoisan people.
Highlights
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Get immersed in the world's best wildlife spots like Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti.
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Explore the amazing Maasai, Datoga, Iraqw, and Hadzabe cultures authentic way.
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Enjoy remote accommodation in harmony with the land. Mix on camping in the wild African bush & luxury eco-lodges
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Despite our isolated locales, you’ll enjoy luxury in the bush, with amenities and personalized service
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Anthropological Insights into the indigenous cultural heritage and nature conservation
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Excellent photography opportunities
The Itinerary
DAY 1. Welcome to Tanzania
Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to Karatu. Stay overnight in a stunning eco-lodge with amazing Lake Manyara National Park views. If time permits, swim in the pool or enjoy a drink on your veranda listening to birdsong.
DAY 2. Lake Manyara National Park
Get ready for phenomenal wildlife viewing! Spend the whole day exploring the lesser visited Lake Manyara National Park, which Ernest Hemingway called the most beautiful lake in Africa. We love this national park as it is less visited and offers rich and diverse game viewing in a beautiful forest. We offer an opportunity to try a canoe safari or a night game drive! Overnight in a Lake Manyara Lodge.
DAY 3. Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti hosts the largest concentration of wildlife in the world. Depending on your travel dates, here you can witness one of the greatest spectacles on Earth. The great wildebeest migration is a natural phenomenon where over a million wildebeest annually follow seasonal rains in search of grazing land. Overnight in a luxury tented camp. Pamper yourself with a candlelight dinner served under a canopy of African stars.
DAY 4. Serengeti National Park
Enjoy your day's game viewing in this world's most iconic National park. Serengeti's endless plains and beauty will leave your soul craving more for Africa. Overnight in a luxury tented camp.
DAY 5. Ngorongoro with Maasai
After breakfast, we head towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Today we'll sleep over in a Maasai village (boma) where you can experience the authentic Maasai way of life inside the conservation area. We explore Maasai warriors' rituals and bush traditions such as olpul- Maasai warriors' secret bush camp. Warriors tell how they use traditional medication and how they know to live among wild animals and big predators. We set up tents next to the Maasai's houses. At night, you might hear a hyena laughing, a lion roaming, and other sounds of the African bushveld. Sit around a campfire with Maasai warriors - a moment you'll never forget.
DAY 6. Ngorongoro Crater
Welcome to one of the world's natural wonders. The world’s largest intact caldera from a long-extinct volcano, Ngorongoro, is home to about 25,000 wild creatures, including 26 black rhinoceros, who live within the safety of the caldera walls. There are 7,000 wildebeests, 4,000 zebras, 3,000 eland, and 3,000 Grant's and Thomson's gazelles. Ngorongoro is the only place on Earth where people, livestock, and wild animals coexist harmoniously. It is one of the world's natural wonders, declared an International Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and a World Heritage Site because of its wildlife and cultural treasures. Overnight in Lake Eyasi.
After
DAY 7. Lake Eyasi
Welcome to the world of the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers. The Hadzabe are one of the last remaining hunter-gatherers in the world. Their estimated population is around 3000. We will visit Hadzabe in an ethical way that respects their culture and survival as indigenous people. We focus on learning and observing their unique and holistic way of living in balance and preserving nature. Overnight in the bush.
DAY 8. Lake Eyasi
Meet the Datoga tribe! The Datoga belongs to the pastoralist group or are talented blacksmiths specialized in making arrows, knives, spears, and jewelry. Datoga people have a unique belief system, and they practice animist beliefs. Overnight in a beautiful lodge situated in a coffee plantation.
DAY 9. Kilimanjaro Aiport
Our Cultural Safari in Tanzania safari comes to a close as we depart after breakfast back to Arusha and Kilimanjaro airport.
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TRAVEL DATES
You can book this trip anytime. We are glad to consult you when is the best time to travel if you want to see the great wildebeest migration (highly recommended).
LOCATION
Pick-up from and return to Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Tanzania
Safari Route: Northern Circuit (Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Lake Eyasi)
ACCOMMODATION
Enjoy remote accommodation in harmony with the land. Mix on camping in the wild African bush & luxury eco-lodges.
While camping, you will sleep in a comfortable tent where you can stand inside. We provide all trekking supplies, including a trekking bed and sheets.
You will sleep in 4-5 star eco-lodges. When you make a reservation, we'll send you a description and photos of each lodge.
PRICE
The price depends on your travel dates and number of travelers.