Cultural Tours

The Hadzabe are the indiginous tribe living in the region of Lake Eyasi in the Central Rift
Valley. They are one of the few true Hunter-Gatherers left in Africa. Their click based
language makes them along with the bushmen (San) of South Africa the only remaining
link to similar tribes that once stretched through Sub-Saharan Africa. Reports on their
population vary between only 1,000 -2,000. The Hadzabe live in temporary grass and stick
shelters and relocate often dependant of food sources (they sometimes will relocate to a
large kill rather than transport the kill). Their diet is opportunistic and consists mainly of
foraged vegetation but hunts with poison arrows provides meat from any convenient prey
(ranging from rodents to giraffe). Babboon is the preferred game. The Hadzabe are skilled
honey gatherers as well. Many of the Hadzabe still dress tradtionally in animal hides, but
that too is opportunistic. Attempts by the government to alter the tribes lifestyle have
failed miserably. The Tanzanian government has now recognised the futility of change and
have set aside a track of land for the Hadzabe to exist traditionally. Pawa Rafiki Tours & Safaris
LTD can make arrangements for visits. Outsiders are permitted to hunt with the male
Hadzabe (for a real adventure, accept the gift of honor- the raw liver). Refreshingly, even
though the Hadzabe accepts visitors, it has not affected their lifestyle at all and is truly an
amazing experience. A Hadzabe visit also fits in easily with safaris to Lake Manyara,
Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha, Serengeti, Tarangire, Olduvai Gorge, Mt Kilmanjaro and Mt
Meru.

The Maasai are the indigenous semi nomadic tribe inhabiting the Great Rift Valley
region in Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya. Traditionally the Maasai live in
circular or loaf shaped huts (Inkajijik) made of mud, sticks and manure built by the
women. They are pastorial and move seasonally between Northern Tanzania and
Southern Kenya dependent on the best grazing lands at the time. Easily recognizable by
their preferred clothing of red blankets draped toga stye around them, their long staffs
and often pierced and stretched ear lobes, the men and boys tend their livestock. Very
young Maasai boys are often seen nearby roads tending goats. A Maasai man's wealth is
viewed by his number of livestock, the number of wives (purchased with livesotck) and
his number of children. Their diet consists mainly of cattle. A mixture of cow and blood
(by carefully and supposedly painlessly cutting the cattle's jugular vein) is a staple of
their diet. Since wealth is measured by number of livestock, cattle will only be
slaughtered for special occasions. Their belief is that their God, Engai (who resides in
the Ol Doinyo L'Engai volcano), created cattle as a gift to the Maasai, making them the
rightful owners of all cattle in the world. Understandably, this causes friction with
neighboring herders.
Attempting to photograph a Maasai will be met with demands for payment but with
arranged visits by Pawa Rafiki Tours & Safaris LTD, photos may be freely taken, dances
performed (joining them for dance is an experience you will remember for a
lifetime)and you may tour the inside of a Inkajijik. The Maasai wear great amounts of
jewelry and a visit to a Maasai village is an excellent opportunity for buying inexpensive
souveniers. A Maasai visit easily fits in with visits to Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater,
Serengeti, Arusha, Tarangire, Olduvai Gorge, Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru.