An authentic Maasai, Hadzabe and Datoga tour
About the authentic, Maasai, Hadzabe, and Datoga tour
Join our native indigenous hosts on a life-changing eight days journey to participate and observe Maasai, Datoga, and Hadzabe traditions and culture in Northern Tanzania. You experience a lot of singing and dancing Maasai's ancestral songs, sharing Maasai, Datoga, and Hadzabe people's rich culture. Reconnect with nature and expanding consciousness for holistic living.
This expedition is planned and provided by the indigenous hosts who open their homes to show you their unique culture, traditions, and customs. Experience the most authentic and sustainable way to explore African nature, wildlife, and indigenous cultures in Tanzania.
The Maasai in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area has adopted a revitalized approach to preserve their culture in modern times. Their way of life is deeply rooted in traditions that have been practiced in the same way for hundreds of years. This stay is a great privilege to learn from the Maasai and from the earth they have a close relationship to. On this trip, you can experience the balance and harmony between people and the environment and to share collective indigenous wisdom.
The Hadzabe, are hunter-gatherers who live only in Tanzania, in Lake Eyasi. There are estimated to be around 1300 Hadzabe people living in Tanzania. The Hadzabe indigenous wisdom contains the belief that we are all related, including all living and inanimate beings. The Hadzabe grow no food, raise no livestock, and live without rules or calendars. Their way of life has remained unchanged over the millennia, and they live in small wandering groups of about twenty individuals.
The Datoga people are Nilotic pastoralists living only in Tanzania. They are semi-nomads (population about 85 000). The Datoga are polygynous and patrilineal with a strong warrior tradition and male domination of political and social life. They are also talented blacksmiths. Join this adventure and deep dive into the indigenous cultures.
The Itinerary
DAY 1. Welcome to Tanzania
Pick up from Kilimanjaro International airport and transfer to a lodge in Arusha. Dinner together. (D).
DAY 2. Lake Eyasi / HadzabeWe start our journey towards Lake Eyasi, where we stay with the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers. You join one of these family units in the deep bush for three days. We join the Hadzabe men on their hunting trips and women on their gathering. The landscape is exceptionally stunning due to the high number of beautiful baobab trees and its extensive marshlands—accommodation in a tent. (B, L, D).
DAY 3. Lake Eyasi / Hadzabe
We join the Hadzabe hunting early in the morning and return to our campsite for breakfast brunch. In the afternoon, we continue towards Lake Eyasi, a seasonal shallow salt lake on the Great Rift Valley floor at the Serengeti Plateau base. We walk around the lake to observe waterbirds like flamingos and pelicans. We return to our bush camp to spend the evening singing and telling storing with the Hadzabe. (B, L, D).
DAY 4. Lake Eyasi / Datoga
After breakfast, we say goodbye to Hadzabe as we continue to stay with our Datoga family. We spend time with our hosts exploring the area and the Datoga way of life. After bush dinner, we gather around the campfire to hear and document Datoga's indigenous wisdom. Accommodation in a tent near Datoga's huts. (B, L, D).
DAY 5. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area / Maasai
Today we observe and participate in the Maasai way of life. The Maasai welcome us to their home with a celebration. In the afternoon we join the Maasai boys and warriors to herd cattle and observe how Maasai women milk cows and goats. We stay overnight in a Maasai boma. (B, L, D).
DAY 6. The Ngorongoro Crater
Today we go inside the Ngorongoro Crater that is the world’s largest intact caldera from a long-extinct volcano. Ngorongoro is home to about 26,000 wild creatures who live within the safety of the caldera walls. You can observe elephants, black rhinoceroses, leopards, buffalo, zebras, warthogs, gnu (wildebeests), Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles, and the densest population of lions in the world. After the game drive, we return to Maasai warriors bush camp to overnight. (B, picnic L, D).
Day 7. Lake Manyara National Park and Treetop Walkway
After breakfast, we go to Lake Manyara National Park. Ernest Hemingway called this lake ‘the most beautiful lake in all Africa.’ The Lake Manyara national park features a ground-water forest, acacia woodland, and Maji Moto hot springs. The park is well known for its unusual tree-climbing lions and large herds of elephant herds it was established to protect. We also take a scenic walk on the Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway. After treetop walking, we arrive at Karatu for an overnight in a lodge. (B, L, D).
Day 8. Kilimanjaro International Airport
Enjoy your lazy morning in a Lodge. After lunch, we transfer back to Kilimanjaro airport for your flight departure. You arrive at the airport around 4 pm. You can book an evening flight or extend your stay in Arusha. (B, L).
Highlights
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Experience the authentic African indigenous cultures
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Immerse yourself in rich traditions and unique lifestyles
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Explore the African extraordinary nature and view wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park
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Do the scenic Treetop Walkway
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Join the everyday life of the Maasai, the Hadzabe, and the Datoga people