Tanzania Maasai Village Visit | Super Game Tanzania Tours & Safaris

Tanzania Maasai Village Visit | Super Game Tanzania Tours & Safaris

Visit Maasai Village – Ngorongoro.

The Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group of semi-nomadic people located in Northern Tanzania. They are among the best known of African ethnic groups due to their distinctive customs and dress. They are member of the Nilo-Saharan family that is related to Dinka and Nuer and are also educated in the official languages of Tanzania: Swahili and English.

The Tanzanian governments have instituted programs to encourage the Maasai to abandon their traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle, but the people have continued their age-old customs. Recently, Oxfam has claimed that the lifestyle of the Maasai should be embraced as a response to climate change because of their ability to farm in deserts and scrublands. Many Maasai tribes throughout Tanzania welcome visits to their village to experience their culture, traditions, and lifestyle.

What to expect on the village visit

In the afternoon, depart from camp/lodge with your guide, an armed park ranger and a Maasai from the village, to enjoy a walk over the Ngorongoro highlands as you head towards the village. The walk takes approximately one and a half hours, at a gentle pace, and is a great opportunity to look out for wildlife and learn about the flora and fauna up close. While giraffe are conspicuous by their absence on game drives on the Crater floor, the rolling hills and plateaus of the Crater’s outside walls are home to impressive herds. You can drive (about 15 minutes) to/from the village from camp if you prefer not to walk.

On arrival at the village, expect to be greeted in the traditional manner: plenty of singing and dancing, with participation very much encouraged! There is then the opportunity to learn about some of the customary practices such as fire-making and beadwork. You may also get the chance to meet and speak to villagers in their homes – questions are very welcome and your guide will happily interpret if needed. It is worth noting that it can be quite smoky in the houses if the fires are lit inside.

During your visit, there is also the opportunity to purchase handmade leather and beadwork from the villagers, although these are also available in the camp shop.

Once your time in the village has come to an end, you can either be driven or walk back to camp, stopping for sundowners along the way.

Notes: The walk to the village is over steep and uneven ground in places, so closed shoes are recommended, as is a reasonable level of fitness.

Olpopongi Maasai Village

2 day excursion from Arusha

Day 1 – 2 Arusha – Maasai Village „Olpopongi“

In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha. Afterwards you will undertake an approximate two and a half hours scenic drive along the slopes of West Kilimanjaro up to the Maasailand near Tinga-Tinga. After arriving at „Olpopongi“ Maasai Village a group of pleasant Maasai and the Village Chief welcomes you with a chilled welcome drink. During a walk through the village, your personal Maasai guide is explaining the life, past and today’s life of the Tanzania Maasai. Get more information about the culinary culture of the Maasai while tasting a traditional tea (chai) prepared on the wood fire. A tasty lunch with a variety of local food highlights will end the activities inside the village. The afternoon starts with an exciting & very educational walking safari across the nearby bush. Maasai warriors will guide you along their paths and explain you typical medicinal plants, extraordinary trees, tracks and the local wildlife. In addition to that, the usage of local tools, hunting techniques and fire preparation is a part your unforgettable bush excursion. Coming back to the village, the well-deserved break is accompanied by freshly brewed coffee & cake. During the sunset a group of Maasai men and woman gathering around for the traditional singing & dancing performances. A great BBQ-Buffet right at camp fire and the „get together“ with your already known Maasai friends, will provide you an unforgettable evening under the (mostly) starry sky. The evening will find the end at your private Maasai house on traditional beds with comfortable mats & blankets.
After hearing the rhythm of the bush drums next morning, the breakfast with freshly baked rolls, jam, fruits and an omelette of your choice is waiting for you! Later, during the still early morning, the tour is over and it’s time to say good bye with many new impressions in your mind. Your driver will bring you back to your hotel in Arusha.
Lunch; BBQ-Dinner; Breakfast

Items included: