Hadzabe cultural visit at Lake Eyasi : One of the Tanzania cultural tour that gives you the chance to encounter local customs and culture is the Lake Eyasi Safari. You will explore the Lake Eyasi to meet the native Hadzabe people, the last hunter-gatherer tribe in East Africa. You will also have the opportunity to visit the nearby Datoga tribe in addition to the Hadzabe people. You can also add on a day trip safari to Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and the Ngorongoro Crater from Lake Eyasi.

A pristine saltwater lake, Lake Eyasi is encircled by the high ground to the north and west, which provides stunning views, and the walls of the Rift Valley to the west. There are several unusual fish species that live in this lake. Along the shoreline, it’s possible to see rare bird and reptile species.

The tranquility of a remote location and the breathtaking panoramic views are what draw people to Lake Eyasi. The advantage is that you can explore this unusual area on foot because there are no large predators here. Mountain bike, canoe, or hike through the historic Baobab trees are some of the other activities available at Lake Eyasi apart from a Hadzabe cultural tour. A high vantage point offers breathtaking views of the setting sun.

The Hadzabe community is one of the indigenous groups that live in this region. They have maintained their long-standing customs while residing here for thousands of years. The community, which numbers around 2000 people, follows a nomadic lifestyle, foraging for food and sleeping outside under the stars. Many click sounds are present in their language, which is believed to have evolved from the first human speech.

VISIT A HADZABE COMMUNITY.

A guide will go with you as you set out before sunrise to locate a location where the Hadzabe have gathered. You can either stay with the group or take part in daily activities, or you can join a hunting group and try your hand at using traditional bows and arrows. One gets a rare look at how their genuine way of life and culture have endured for more than 10,000 years in a world that is constantly changing.

Women go fruit and berry picking while the men go on hunting excursions. No other tribe in Tanzania consumes the incredible variety of wild fruits and berries that they do. It is thought that the Bushman People’s practice of not using calendars and not keeping track of time has kept them in one place for such a long time. According to legend, the Hadzabe Bushmen only use the various moon phases to measure time.

They don’t have any possessions other than what they require for survival, such as bows and arrows and some cooking pots. There is no hierarchy among the men of these friendly tribes; everyone is on an equal footing. In Some of Select adventure Tanzania safari package we also include a visits with the Hadzabe Bushmen and the men of the Datoga Tribe, who have also preserved their culture and traditions. Remember to stop by the Hadzabe Bushmen of Tanzania whenever you want to go on a Bushman safari in Africa; we will arrange the cultural tour for you.

Independent bushman tours to the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes are possible from Arusha, but they would need to include at least two to three nights of mobile camping arrangements. Otherwise, you can incorporate a visit to the Bushmen into a longer safari in Northern Tanzania. This will require camping, or you can choose to stay at one of the few available accommodations, such as Tindiga Tented Camp or the opulent Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp. For those looking to stay in a mid-range concrete-walled lodge, a safari lodge recently opened under the name Lake Eyasi Lodge. Combining your safari with one of our cultural tours is an exciting and active way to experience Tanzania’s wilderness and culture. Get in touch with our safari specialist for booking details and a quote.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE HADZABE TRIBE

The dry seasons and Lake Eyasi’s busiest travel seasons, from June to October, are the best times to visit. December to March is also another good time to visit Lake Eyasi. Although it is possible to travel to the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes during the rainy season, the journey is very difficult and muddy in April and May.

EXAMPLE OF LAKE EYASI HADZABE SAFARI ITINERARY FROM ARUSHA

Day 1: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park

Leave Arusha at 8:00 a.m. for a safari to Lake Manyara National Park, where you will spend the entire day watching animals. Animals and bird species such as tree-climbing lions and lesser flamingos can be found in Lake Manyara National Park. Big herds of buffalo and elephants may also be visible.

Day 2: Lake Manyara-Lake Eyasi

After breakfast, travel to the Mang’ola region of Eyasi, which is home to the Hadzabe tribe. There are approximately 1000 Hadzabe people, and they survive by hunting and gathering fruit. Spend a night at Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp, which is located on the shores of Lake Eyasi and offers magnificent views of the Rift.

Day 3: Hadzabe Cultural Tour

Drive to the renowned Hadzabe tribe’s homes in the bush very early in the morning to engage in cultural exchange. Join the Hadzabe tribe and go foraging. Eat throughout the day while foraging, and when possible, bring back some honey, fruit, or wild game. Get the chance to stroll alongside them in Lake Eyasi, where they call home, and observe how they go about gathering honey and insects.

Day 4: Drive back to Arusha.

After saying farewell to the village tribesmen, return to Arusha with a stopover visit to Makuyuni or Mto wa Mbu.

 WANT TO LEARN MORE?

The Hadzabe, who still live as a hunter-gatherer society today, are the subject of extensive research and have had numerous papers, books, and articles written about them. You might be interested in reading books like James Stephenson’s The Language of the Land if you want to learn more about them. James stayed with the tribe for several months, and the book recounts his experiences there as well as the tribe’s beliefs. The Hadzabe have as one of their core beliefs that man is not the universe’s ruler but rather one of the many creatures that maintain the universe’s harmony and health.

The Hadzabe: Another intriguing book is Hunter-Gatherers of Tanzania by Frank Marlowe. It discuss social structure, culture, and so forth. However, this book also discusses evolution and behavioral ecology.

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