Cultural Tourism

Overview

Tanzania is home to 120 distinct African tribes, most of which are linked by the Swahili language. Each of these tribes lives in a distinct manner. However, just a handful of them have retained their ancient ways of life, making it fascinating to learn about their cultures and lifestyles. A visit to Tanzania for a wildlife safari or Zanzibar Beach Holiday would be incomplete without experiencing the way of life of the people and the amazing historical sites.

Throughout this fascinating tour, you will immerse yourself in the most amazing Tanzanian cultures, visiting the Chaga tribes in the Moshi region, the Hadzabe Bushmen in Lake Eyasi, and the most iconic Maasai tribe in the Arusha region, for some great cultural adventures. You will meet, greet, and shake hands with the locals; go on a walking safari around the village; learn about their traditions; make new friends, go hunting, and spend a day in their shoes. Your cultural tour is simply an addition to Mount Kilimanjaro Hike, Wildlife Safari, Zanzibar beach holiday, or just a day trip. Experience the fullness of Tanzania Safari in a tremendous way and create great infinite memories.

Where to go on a Tour for Cultural Experince?

Visit Mto wa Mbu

Situated about 60 Kilometers from Arusha Town, neighboring Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and serves as the road to the Great Serengeti, Mto wa Mbu wa Mbu is small and yet fast growing town that has been attracting different tribes from different parts of the country for permanent settlements and business. 

Each of these tribes has its own cultural background and a unique lifestyle, making Mto wa Mbu a leading Cultural destination in the Northern part of Tanzania.

hadza

Ethnic Groups found in Mto wa Mbu includes

  • Rangi: Originally found in Kondoa, the Rangi people are well known for their handicrafts. Women of this tribe use the papyrus to weave beautiful mats and baskets.
  • Mbugwe: The Mbugwe people will show you how they grind grains to make flour by using the old-age millstone.
  • Chagga: In the area, the Chagga people are well known for their best local beer brewed from two species of banana.
  • Hadza: Like the Khoisan of South Africa, the Hadzabe Bushmen are popular for their ancient way of life and their click language. These people basically survive by hunting small animals and harvest natural honey from the forest.

 

While in Mto wa Mbu, you can also visit Maasai Bomas (homesteads) and villages in Ngorongoro Conservation Area. A visit to these places will allow you the opportunity to learn the fascinating way of life of these people. The Maasai people are well known for their pride, constantly attached to their cultural values. This tour when included with a Wildlife Safari can last between 30 to 45 minutes before departing and proceed with your safari, where you will be shown around these traditional houses and learn a few things about how Maasai people live.

While in Mto wa Mbu, you can also visit Maasai Bomas (homesteads) and villages in Ngorongoro Conservation Area. A visit to these places will allow you the opportunity to learn the fascinating way of life of these people. The Maasai people are well known for their pride, constantly attached to their cultural values. This tour when included with a Wildlife Safari can last between 30 to 45 minutes before departing and proceed with your safari, where you will be shown around these traditional houses and learn a few things about how Maasai people live.

Visit Lake Eyasi

The Lake Eyasi is well known for its amazing beauty. Found on the southern border of the Ngorongoro Conversion Area just a few hour drives away from Karatu. The Hadza or Hadzabe people find their settlement here. Like the Khoisan of South Africa, the Hadza are well known because for their peculiar click language. These are the last heirs of the parents who took their first steps here, along the Rift Valley, about two thousand years ago. Having lived here for thousands of years, these people continue to follow their hunting and gathering traditions.

Other ethnic groups found here are the Iraqw, the Datoga, the Maasai, Chagga, Nyamwezi, Meru, and Nyakyusa

With the Hadzabe Bushmen

  • While in Lake Eyasi, one can visit the homesteads of the Hadzabe and learn about their lifestyle.
  • You can be taught how arrows and bows are made, together with the materials used in the process and go hunting.
  • Medicinal plants.
  • Traditional dancing.
  • Arrow targeting and shooting and when hunting.
  • The ancient hand-drill of making fire the traditional way, using two stick of woods.

 

With the Datoga Tribe

  • You will learn the unique Datoga lifestyle
  • Flour preparation using the ancient millstone
  • Cow milking and local butter preparation
  • Local beer preparation for different occasions
  • Jewelry making by the Datoga women etc.
datoga milling

Despite being in the most explored part of the country, bordering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and near Lake Manyara National Park, this interesting place is rarely, if ever, visited by anyone interested in visiting the Hadzabe society.

Unlike other destinations in Tanzania’s northern circuit, Lake Eyasi is less visited throughout the year due to a lack of accommodation options, seasonality, and geographical position; all of which affect the area’s tourism activities. It is possible to visit Lake Eyasi at almost any time of year, with the exception of April and May, when the long rains prevail.

A visit to Lake Eyasi, on the other hand, is rewarding. We at Lango Africa are always ready to assist you with all of the information you need to arrange your safari, whether it’s a day trip, or a Tanzanian wildlife safari with a combination of Lake Eyasi cultural tour experience. This guide will provide information on how to get there, what activities are available, and where to stay in Lake Eyasi.

olduvai gorge

Visit the Oldvai Gorge

The Oldupai Gorge is a well-known archeological site that was established by Dr. Louis Leaky in 1959 after he made the amazing discovery of the Zinjanthropus or Nutcracker Man, who is thought to have lived around 1.75 million years ago. The site is situated along the road leading to the great Serengeti and Ngorongoro. 

It is now renowned as the Cradle of Humanity as a result of this discovery.

Visit Maasai bomas in Ngorongoro

The Kondoa Rock Paintings are a World’s recognized historical heritage site of ancient rock art, located in Kolo about 260 kilometers from Arusha town and 20 kilometers from the Kondoa district center. The Kolo Rock Paintings are one of Tanzania’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, and they are well-protected, well-documented, and often-visited.

The most well-known paintings on the surface of these rocks depict human and animal figures (eland, giraffe, and elephant). The paintings are dark red and feature some other abstract designs. These paintings are thought to date back 5,000 to 10,000 years and are attributed to hunter-gatherer Bushmen.

You can visit these rock paintings during your day trip from Tarangire National Park, leaving after breakfast. The trip will last approximately three hours, including a picnic lunch and a return to Tarangire in the late afternoon.

Visit Kilwa

The Tanzania coastal area is enriched by so many attractions. Its historical background makes it one of the popular destinations for most tourists coming to Tanzania. Kilwa being one of the historical island, was the most popular and prominent city of the day between the 12th and 15th centuries among the East African region.

Trading being the forefront activity during this time, Kilwa linked the East African countries with Asia. The site is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a visit to this ancient destination is worth it.

Other Places to Visit

  • Visit the Stone Town in Zanzibar Island
  • Visit Bagamoyo
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Your Cultural safari with Lango Africa is intended to deliver into your hands a unique Tanzanian cultural experience that will last infinitely. Take a moment and enquire more information on cultural safari experience with one of our travel experts now.

 

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