THERE IS MORE TO TANZANIA THAN SPECTACULAR SCENERY AND AMAZING WILDLIFE. OUR COUNTRY IS HOME TO MORE THAN 120 FASCINATING TRIBES, MAKING US ONE OF THE RICHEST IN CULTURAL DIVERSITY. CULTURAL TOURISM ACTIVITIES IN TANZANIA.

There’s more to Tanzania than spectacular scenery and amazing wildlife.

Our country is home to more than 120 fascinating tribes, making us one of the richest in cultural diversity. If you are interested in learning more about these tribes and cultures it’s possible to spend part of your safari visiting, learning from and interacting with Tanzanians. Some of the people to visit on the northern circuit include: Maasai, Datoga, Hadzabe, Iraqw, Chaga and Meru. Each tribe has distinct rituals, beliefs, customs and artistic endeavours.

Perhaps the colourful Maasai people are the most well known from the region but there are many other interesting stories to learn as well. Among the activities you can partake in are: a medicinal botanical tour – which includes a visit to a traditional Maasai herbal doctor, a guided visit of one of the oldest irrigation systems in Africa, a visit to a local cattle market, a walk through farms in a green oasis at the foot of the Rift Valley and interaction with women/ youth village groups to exchange ideas on family planning and HIV/AIDS.

Most safaris incorporate a taste of local culture such as a village or boma tour or entertainment by local acrobats or dancers but if you would like to designate more of your safari time to pursuing cultural opportunities please let us know and we’ll forward you our complete list of available options. 

Seek out local festivals

Some places to visit

>Zanzibar island is one of the best places in Tanzania for experiencing local festivals. An island highlight is the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, where you'll be treated to the sight of entire families dressed up and celebrating, processions in the streets and other festivities. The dates follApart from wildlife and beach tourism, Tanzania is miles ahead in promotion of anew brand of tourism – Cultural Tourism which has become popular with visiting tourists. With 120 ethnic tribes, Tanzania has a wide resource of customs, traditions and taboos that can enrich the understanding of many people of the world.

>Longido Village is about 90 kilometers north of Arusha Town. It is one of the places to visit and see Wa-Masai and other tribes like Wa-Arusha. Visitors have a chance to see cattle being auctioned in the market and how local people (Masai and Wa-Arusha) conduct that business traditionally.

>Mamba and Marangu: At the foot of Kilimanjaro lie the beautiful towns of Marangu and Mamba. Here, local people have planned various walking tours through valleys with numerous waterfalls, and to show you mountain village life. Enjoy the panoramic scenes and natural beauty of Kilimanjaro.

>Mulala Village: Just outside Arusha lies the picturesque village of Mulala, on the slopes of Mount meru. Tours begin at Mama Anna’s farm, which is also home to the Usangi Women’s Group.

>Ng’iresi Village: On the slopes of Mount Meru you can experience real African village life.

>The Ruins of Engaruka: Guided by Maasai warriors, walk through the mysterious ruined city of Engaruka and the surrounding scrubland. Located at the foot of the Rift Valley Escarpment, Engaruka remains one of Tanzania’s most important historic sites. Over 500 years ago a community of farmers developed a unique irrigation and cultivation system channeling water from the Rift Escarpment into stone canals and terraces. Although abandoned in the 1700s Engaruka illustrates a once highly specialized and integrated agricultural community which has been investigated by archeologists world-wide.

>Longido Mountain: Experience one of Africa’s most fascinating cultures, the Maasai, while visiting Longido Mountain. . Spend a day walking around the extensive plains of Longido Mountain and get some insight into traditional African culture.

>Northern Pare Mountains: The spectacular Northern Pare Mountains offer unique opportunities to experience the Pare culture of Tanzania.

>Southern Pare Mountains: Deep within the Southern Pare Mountains, about 150km from Moshi town are the Mbaga Hills. Rising from the plains, visitors will be led through winding roads into the mountains where you can experience some of Africa’s most spectacular scenery. A visit to the Southern Pare Mountains are ideal for people wanting to combine trips with the Mkomazi Game Reserve. With a strong history of German settlement, Mbaga is home to a backdrop of quaint stone buildings, landscaped terraces and mini-waterfalls.

>Mto wa Mbu: Mto wa Mbu offers both walking and bicycle tours through some magnificent scenery. Conveniently located on the way to the Serengeti, and Ngorogoro Crater, Mto wa Mbu provides visitors with an excellent opportunity to stretch their legs and compliment their holiday with a cultural safari. Here you can see a mixture of different Tanzanian cultures while enjoying the tropical lush-green vegetation at the foot of the Great Rift Valley.

>Usambara Mountains: The Usambara Mountains are situated in the northeastern part of Tanzania between Mount Kilimanjaro and the Indian Ocean. The mountains rise up steeply from the surrounding plains and can only be entered via a few roads. The only paved road in the area winds along a small river to Soni and Lushoto, the largest towns in the area. Because of its pleasant climate, the mountains were favored by the Germans and the English during colonial times, as is evidenced by the numerous historic buildings from the past.

>Babati and Hanang: Babati district is located along the Arusha-Dodoma road in the Rift Valley, south of Lake Manyara Park and west from Tarangire. The town boasts Lake Babati where floating hippos can be seen and which is rich in fish, both tilapia and Nile perch. Here commercial and farming tribes co-exist with conservative cattle herding tribes to provide a distinguished cultural contrast. In Hanang District close by the beautiful Mount Hanang (3418m), live the Barbaig people whose traditional culture is still unchanged and unspoiled. The women wear traditional goatskin dresses and the men walk around with spears. Visitors can mix freely with the Barbaig, commonly known as the Mangati living in the Mangati plains. If you are interested in bird watching, 400 bird species will welcome you on your walks in the area.

>Ilkiding’a Welcome to our village at the foot of Mount Meru where the sounds of rivers, birds and people are in harmony. A cultural tour of Ilkiding’a will give you the opportunity to experience traditional Wa-arusha culture. Spend a day walking around the hills of Ilkiding’a and get some insight into traditional African culture.

>Pangani Coast: Pangani is situated about 50km south of Tanga, at the extreme North-Eastern corner of Tanzania. Several historical sites serve as reminders for the strong Arabic influence and the later German, British colonial period in East Africa.

>Mkuru Village: Welcome to the camel camp at Mkuru, where you can make camel safaris to the plains between Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Lake Natron, and enjoy the friendly behavior of the “ship of the desert.” Mkuru is situated on the north side of Mount Meru, not far away from the irrigated fields of Engare-Nanyookye and the Momela gate of Arusha National Park. From a distance the area can be easily recognized through the remarkable shape of Ol Doinyo Landaree, the little mountain that looks like a pyramid. ow the cycle of the moon, and vary from year to year.