Tanzania – Cultures of the Southern Serengeti Photo Tour 2024

Today is set aside as an arrival day in Arusha (the safari capital of northern Tanzania), and after landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be collected and driven to Arusha where you will spend the evening (note drive time of around 75 mins). 

Departing Arusha today, we drive the short distance to Arusha Airport and board a flight destined for the remote Mwiba area (time TBA), which is on the south-western edge of the Serengeti. You will be collected by your local guide and transferred to our camp via a game drive. Keep your camera ready as you don't know what you may see along the way! At a time to be confirmed, you will leave camp for your official first afternoon excursion in the southern Serengeti.

We have three full days to explore this wonderful area, and will be able to access the Masai, Hadzabe (Hadza) and Datooga tribes in the southern Serengeti. Hadza  One of the last hunter-gatherer tribes in Tanzania, the Hadza number under 1000. They live a life almost free of possessions and are able to move by carrying what they have on their backs. They wear pieces of cloth wrapped around them and don’t speak any English. One with nature and the wild surrounds, the Hadza Tribe only consume what they need such as honey, leaves for their medicinal properties and on occasion, small animals. The Hadza gain access to hunt small animals and gather on Mwiba Wildlife Reserve as they are increasingly marginalised in terms of access to wilderness areas.  Our guide and tracker will take us in search of the nomadic Hadza hunters who are always moving through the wilderness. Upon finding them, we may have the opportunity to accompany them as they forage for their vital food sources. They will show you how to prod the rich African soil for tubers and stalk small mammals and hunt birds. Listen as the Hadza re-tell tales of their ancestors.  Datoga The Datoga are nomadic herders depending largely on cow and goat meat and milk for their diet. In contrast to the Hadza, the Datoga woman wear beautiful jewellery that they make themselves and colourful traditional wear. The bracelets around their wrists and ankles create a percussive beat for their singing, dancing and jumping, which can go on for days and even years!  A Nilotic tribe, the Datoga woman are beautifully adorned with intricate beaded necklaces and copper bangles while the men stand proud and tall.  Maasai The Maasai are one of Africa's most famous tribes. They are pastoralists and farm sheep, goats and cattle. Historically a nomadic people, the Maasai relied heavily on available materials to built impermanent structures in nature. While many Maasai are still nomadic, many live a more permanent life and are agro-pastoralists with small holdings and livestock. Many Maasai have homes made of homemade bricks and wood, with cattle still being their most important commodity. They are a patriarchal society and are recognisable by their wear bright colours and beadwork among other aspects.  

After breakfast, we will game drive to the airstrip and fly back to Arusha (JRO), where this photo tour comes to and end. ***Our Kenya - The Samburu: Indigenous People Of East Africa Photo Tour 2024 is the perfect extension to this Tanzania culture photography tour. Join us as we photograph the Samburu Tribe who are still strongly connected to their traditions and culture and still live a semi-nomadic life and are considered to be one of the most famous and interesting tribes in Kenya. Make your Tribes of East Africa portfolio complete! Should you wish to join the Kenya portion of this cultural photo tour, you will need to take an evening flight to Nairobi and overnight***