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Tanzania Cultural Tours

Tanzania Cultural Tours

Trip Overview

Beyond wildlife and landscapes, the true magic lies in Tanzania’s voices, colours, customs, and smiles.

Tanzania has a long history dating back eons of time. The Pliocene hominid fossils dating back 6 million years ago. The Homo genus was found near Lake Olduvai and can be seen on display in the Olduvai Gorge Museum, near Ngorongoro Crater.

The mainland of Tanzania was formerly Tanganyika and became independent in 1961. The Zanzibar Archipelago became independent in 1963. Then in 1964, the two entities merged to form the United Republic of Tanzania.

The current population of Tanzania stands at 56 million. There are around 120 ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. There are over 100 different languages spoken, with Swahili being the national language. Around 10% of Tanzanians speak Swahili as a first language, and 90% speak it as a second language. All Tanzanians are assigned a tribe, which is determined by their father's tribe. Each tribe has its own customs, and way of life. People may choose to live a more traditional way of life, especially in rural areas.

For those interested in experiencing a new culture, we have some exciting Tanzania Cultural Tours opportunities. One tribe is the Maasai. They are known for herding livestock (cows, goats, and sheep) and living a traditional way of life. They tend to live in small villages (called bomas), surrounded by a wooden fence. The traditional house is made of wood, mud and cow dung. The Masaai can be identified by their style of dress, which is usually bright red and/or blue clothing. As of 30 years ago, to become a warrior, young men were required to kill a lion. This is no longer allowed as the lion is protected. But their culture is still strong.

Highlights

  • Maasai Boma Encounter
  • Hadzabe Bushmen Visit
  • Chagga Tunnels & Coffee
  • Lake Eyasi Cultural Safari
  • Mto wa Mbu Town Tour

At a glance

  • Tanzania
  • Safari

Get Full Itinerary In PDF

Download your Tanzania Cultural Tours itinerary for a day-by-day breakdown of all activities, local interactions, and village visits. See where you'll go, who you'll meet, and how you'll explore.

Safari Spots

  • Marangu Village (Chagga Tribe)
  • Lake Eyasi (Hadzabe & Datoga Tribes)
  • Maasai Boma
  • Mto wa Mbu Town
  • Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

Tree Planting initiatives for Every Guest on the Safari Tour in Tanzania

Supporting Renewable Energy and Low-Impact Travel Choices

Empowering Local Communities Through Eco-Conscious Tourism

Tanzanian Cultural Tours

Maasai Boma Visit

Visits to an authentic Maasai village can be arranged if time and budget allow, but for those short of time who would like a taste of the culture, tourist-focused bomas offer visitors a chance to explore a village, see traditional dance, and pick up a few souvenirs hand made by the local women, helping them generate an income to sustain their traditional livelihoods.

The perfect stop on your way to or from The Serengeti National Park, a Maasai boma visit is especially fun for kids who may want to stretch their legs to break up a long drive!

Lake Eyasi Hadzabe Experience

One of our most popular cultural experiences is a visit to the Hadzabe and Datoga ethnic groups at Lake Eyasi. These hunter-gatherer tribes still live their livesas much as possible as they always have, defying Tanzania's rapid modernisation in a way that is fascinating to behold.

The opportunity to join the men of the Hadzabe tribe before touring their village with the aid of a Datoga guide, is a truly unique Tanzania Cultural Tours experience.

Combine your day at Lake Eyasi with a night at a Maasai lodge and you have a jam-packed day of cultural discovery!

Marangu Village Tour

The Chagga tribe, who hail from the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, may not be one of Tanzania's best-known, but their culture is nonetheless interesting to uncover. Their history of building intricate tunnel systems in which they sheltered during Maasai raids is fascinating, and a chance to tour these pitch-black tunnels is definitely worth the trip.

Our one-day Marangu tour features more than just these tunnels, with a visit to a picturesque waterfall, organic coffee plantation tour, local lunch, and a sample taster of the locally brewed banana beer also included.

Tribes of Tanzania Safari Package

African Scenic Safaris have a special cultural five-day Tribes of Tanzania safari that is focused on immersing you in the local culture. The Tanzania Safari Packages includes the above Marangu village tour, Lake Eyasi Hadzabe experience and Maasai experience, but also features a number of additional cultural experiences including:

  • Mto Wa Mbu walking, tuk-tuk or cycling tour - Explore a bustling market town where locals meet to sell and buy goods. Optional add-ons include a local lunch or a visit to nearby Lake Manyara National Park.
  • Iraqw Visit: Interact with the Iraqw people who also call the Lake Eyasi region home.
  • Maasai community visit: Overnight with a local Maasai family and spend time in their village.
  • Your trip also includes a chance to enjoy an Ngorongoro Crater game drive!

For people enchanted by the tribes of Tanzania, this is the ultimate five-day cultural safari, as a stand-alone tour or as part of our other itineraries. Enquire now to learn more about the different tribes and cultures of Tanzania with African Scenic Safaris.

Note: As this is a tourist-focused activity, it is not recommended for those craving an authentic cultural experience.

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What Our Guests Say

TripAdvisorAfrican Scenic Safaris #1 on TripAdvisor
Hannah W
Hannah W / Sep 2022

The best company out there!

African Scenic Safaris were Amazing. We were a large group of students who climbed Kilimanjaro with them and went on a safari in Tarangire National Park.

Johanna S
Johanna S/ Apr 2025

Great experience on Safari.

The guide was absolutely fantastic. Emanuel was present answering questions and not least telling a lot like the animals.

Gabriella M
Gabriella M/ Feb 2025

Amazing experience

We relied on African Scenic Safaris for organising a 5 days safari. Nembris provided us with suggestions for the itinerary through Serengeti.

Popular Questions Answered

Let culture guide your steps through stories, traditions, languages, and real connections only Tanzania can offer.

We’re here to help you understand what to expect from these rich, immersive experiences. Whether it’s visiting tribal homes, learning ancient customs, or exploring living traditions, this guide answers key questions before your journey begins.

Our Tanzania Cultural Tours are both easy to get to and honest. Some visits are geared towards tourists, while others, like staying in a Maasai town, gives you a chance to get to know them better. We make sure that your experience is polite, educational, and true to the way of life of each tribe.

Every day is different on Cultural Tours in Tanzania, with walks through local markets in the morning, visits to homes in the town, trying traditional foods, or learning how to make old crafts. You can connect with people on cultural tours, and you may meet elders, craftspeople, or hunters. The pace is slow, which gives you time to get to know people and enjoy their customs.

Yes. Our Tanzania Safari Tours often combine wildlife and culture in a way that doesn't stand out. In the morning, you might visit a tribe. In the afternoon, you might go on a game drive in Ngorongoro. This combination helps you learn more about how people and nature live together.

Tanzania Cultural Tours with us are meant to give people in the area more power. We work with villages that get direct money from tourists in the form of guide fees, craft purchases, and payments for homestays. Your visit helps keep traditions alive, keeps people from losing their jobs, and builds important cultural exchange based on mutual respect.

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