Cultural
Tourism

Many local communities have their own cultural programs on offer which welcome tourists into their homes, bringing income directly to local community while giving local people an opportunity to showcase their way of life to the outside world. This harnesses a mutual trust and understanding between the local people and tourists coming in and opens up the possibility to experience Tanzania’s cultural diversity for tourists and a sustainable livelihood for the local people of various rural areas.

The local tour guides who are born, raised up, and live in the area will take you through the steps to grow, pick, dry, roast, pound, and finally brew fresh aromatic coffee beans. Take active part in the process before taking a sip. You can later pack some for your loved ones back home. In the pastrol areas of North and Lake Zone, traverse through the tracks followed by Sukuma, Iraqw, Barbiaq, and Maasai and explore almost unforgotten traditions and a way of life that is very much close to nature and wildlife.

The Ndali and Matengo dancers will take you through the famous drumbeats and dance moves which they inherited from their ancestors. Follow it up by some warm lunch/dinner and savour the local cuisine and culinary variations of Ugali, Mlenda, Machalari, Makande, Matoke, tasty Pilau, Nyamachoma, and sample some of the finest local wines and beers. Spend your precious time with local Mamas and learn how to cook a wide range of African cuisines and making authentic handcrafts.

Cultural tours can range from half-day excursion to as long as a couple of days. You’ll be staying among local tribal people in their villages and towns. Depending upon the time you have in your hand and your interest, you can opt to go for a boating ride down a river or in one of the many lakes while listening to urban legends. Alternatively, you can sail with the fishermen to one of the sandy islands of Indian Ocean, Lake Nyasa, and Lake Victoria. In the surrounding places of Lake Eyasi and Yaeda valleys, you’ll spend time with the Hadza hunter-gather members as part of your holiday and later hike the Switzerland of Tanzania the Usambara Mountains. Admire ancient irrigation systems- or today’s craftsmanship. Listen to a traditional healer’s diagnostic methods and obtain the correct remedial prescriptions.

Maasai Village Cultural Tour

There are numerous tribes in East Africa, but perhaps the most emblematic and well-known is the Maasai tribe, the members of which are known to be fierce warriors. This semi-nomadic tribe is very open and friendly towards visitors.

The members still go about a very traditional lifestyle and because of their distinctive clothing, are easier to recognize. In this tour, you’ll get opportunities to learn the religious beliefs, culture, and tradition of the Maasai people, and get into their traditional dwelling and hear them sing and dance to every occasion. The jumping dance will tempt you to join them. You can, and should, purchase some handcrafted Maasai items which are on offer for sale.

This cultural trip is often included in any safari itinerary near the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Hadzabe Tribe Cultural Tour

The Hadzabe tribe is one of the last tribes remaining in this world who still rely on hunting and gathering as their primary source of food. They move from place to place and live in temporary shelters. For hunting, they use bows, poisoned arrow-tips etc. Their hunting targets range from mice to giraffe, with baboons being their favourite hunting animal. If they successfully kill an animal as large as giraffe, then the entire group will shift base to the site rather than transport it.

They also collect roots, fruits, and berries and are experts in herbal medicine. By rubbing sticks together, they know the art of creating fire in amazingly short time. Their clothing is based on availability and they can be seen wearing animal fur skin or donated clothes.

All the attempts that have been attempted by the government to modernize Hadzabe tribe and give them a better life has been futile as they seem to truly love their way of life, resisting change. As their hunting grounds are diminishing and animal hunting is getting more regulated, their existence is getting tougher.

They reside mainly in the surrounding areas of Lake Eyasi along with the Nilotic-speaking Datoga tribe. A tour to this territory will include a hunt and an experience of their singing and dancing culture. This is an amazing opportunity to learn about a vanishing lifestyle. This tour can be added to any safari that is near Ngorongoro Conservation Area.