Tanzania is one of the countries of East Africa which is home to about 126 tribes, all with a fascinating history, culture and traditional values. The name ‘Tanzania’ is a prefix of two lands from which the mainland was formed as ‘Tanganyika’ and the Islands of Zanzibar and Pemba.
In the mainland, we have about 126 tribes categorized from three Major Ethic Groups - The Bantu, Nilotes and Cushites.
The Masai are Nilotes, here are famous for their cultural values and traditional lifestyle. The hotspots for Masai Cultural visit are Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority and parts near the Border between Kenya and Tanzania. Places like Longido has some of the best packages that will enable one to understand and learn the culture of this Tribe.
Homestays in Masai Bomas can be organised by the Longido Cultural Tourism projects. The tour packages for Masai Land include Lake Natron, Mt Oldonyo Lengai and Engaruka ruins and town. One can experience the real Masai lifestyle, Masai dances, cattle or goat slaughter, traditional herbs and medicine and fire lighting with the Acacia dry bark.
There are tour packages for hiking to Kimokouwa Village, Mt Longido and many more programs in the area.
Also in West Kilimanjaro, one can visit Ndarakwai and other sites with Masai in the West Kilimanjaro; there are many other activities in this area too. Simba Farm is also a place to visit in West Kilimanjaro.
For Volunteer Programs one can contact the TEMBO project in Longido, they have facilities for Cultural Tourism in the Area.
In Kilimanjaro, we also have the Chagga tribe.
Mt Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, standing at 5895 metres above sea level. It is a permanent snowcaped mountain with three peaks – Kibo, which is the highest, Mawenzi and Shira. This mountain has six climbing routes all with diverse cultural and traditional values. This mountain had 20 chiefs and most of the hut points have names of the chiefs, as Horombo, Mandara, Sina, Meli, Shangali, Mareale. Mareale was the Paramount Chief in Kilimanjaro alongwith Chagga are Bantu. The main activity here is farming with little herds of livestock. Coffee was a major cash crop in the highlands. One can visit the villages, waterfalls, Lake Chalaand caves found in parts of the Mountain. Here you will also come across the tallest tree in the region which is about 80 meters high.
Kilasia Falls and Kinukamori falls are found in Marangu, and Materuni Fall is in Rau area. One can also visit Majimoto (hot springs) at Rundugai.
In the coastline of the Indian Ocean, there are many attractions one can visit; some of them are Bagamoyo, Tanga, Kilwa, Saadani. Apart from these, other sites of Islands of Zanzibar and Pemba have a lot of options for the culturally inclined ones.
In the East Arc Ranges, in the Usambara Highlands, there are many activities. One can visit the areas like Lushoto, Irente view, the Skyline and many such more. One can also choose from a variety of waterfalls and village packages. This area is also full of apple, plums and many more trees.
In Lake Victoria, there are many tribes along the Lakeshore Area. In Mwanza and Musoma one can choose from numerous packages of Cultural visits. Also, in the Ukerewe Island in Lake Victoria, one can visit the Dancing Stone.
Central Tanzania’s capital Dodoma, has a lot of vineyards. Here you can also learn about the Gogo Tribe. Apart from Dodoma, Kondoa too has a lot of Cultural sites as the rock paintings and much more. In Morogoro and Iringa area, there is a lot to learn from the resident local tribes. Sites such as Uduzungwa and Mikumi are also worth visiting. If you visit the Uluguru highland, you have much to learn from the culture and traditions of the locals.
In Southern Tanzania, we have Songea, Mtwara, here one can learn about the famous Makonde Tribesman, who are famous for their traditional values and handicraft. Makonde Carvings of Ebony and other hardwoods are famous worldwide. In the Rift Valley, there are many fascinating cultural activities. In Mt Oldonyo Lengai one can hike to the peak and visit Lake Natron, the famous breeding site for the Flamingos. Lake Eyasi is a good site for visiting the Bushman communities of the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes. They live on hunting and gathering. One can do numerous activities in this area. Lake Eyasi fascinates everyone and here one can experience the real lifestyle of the Bushmen.
