Sure, wildlife safaris are iconic. But if you really want to feel the heartbeat of Tanzania, culture is where it’s at. With over 120 tribes, Tanzania is a cultural melting pot, and every tribe adds a unique flavor to this rich national identity.
You’ll experience:
Traditional music and dance ceremonies
Local food that makes your taste buds dance
Daily village life with indigenous tribes
Handicrafts, storytelling, and ancestral wisdom
Swahili hospitality along the Indian Ocean coast
Tall, proud, and dressed in iconic red shukas, the Maasai are probably Tanzania’s most recognized tribe. But there’s more to them than photogenic smiles and jumping dances (called adumu).
Cultural highlights:
Visit a Maasai boma (homestead)
Learn about their cattle-centric way of life
Watch traditional dances and ceremonies
Join a storytelling circle under the stars
🧭 Where to go: Near Arusha, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Lake Natron.
Imagine stepping into a real-life NatGeo episode. The Hadzabe live almost exactly like their ancestors, hunting with bows, foraging for roots, and speaking in click languages.
Cultural highlights:
Go on a hunting expedition with the Hadzabe men
Learn traditional bush survival skills
Listen to ancient stories around a fire
🧭 Where to go: Lake Eyasi region.
Living on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Chagga people are known for their strong coffee culture, terraced farming, and deep-rooted Christianity.
Cultural highlights:
Tour the banana and coffee farms
Visit traditional underground caves used during tribal wars
Try “mbege” – traditional banana beer!
🧭 Where to go: Moshi and Kilimanjaro area.
Down by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, the Swahili culture is a flavorful blend of African, Arab, and Indian influences. It’s all about spices, poetry, and chill vibes.
Cultural highlights:
Explore the historic town of Bagamoyo or Stone Town in Zanzibar
Join a Swahili cooking class
Listen to taarab music and visit ancient mosques
🧭 Where to go: Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Zanzibar.
Customise one of our recommended trips or design your own from scratch
or call us on: +255754982525
Let’s talk about food — because culture starts in the kitchen!
Must-try dishes:
Ugali: The national starch, eaten with meat, fish, or veggies
Nyama choma: Char-grilled goat or beef
Zanzibar biryani: A spicy coastal twist on rice
Mandazi: Like East African doughnuts
Chapati: A soft flatbread you’ll want every meal with
Tip: Try a home-cooked meal with a local family for the full experience!
Where there’s a celebration in Tanzania, there’s music and probably some wild drumming and dancing too.
Ngoma drums are central to nearly all tribal ceremonies
Taarab music is a poetic, Arabic-influenced genre popular in coastal regions
Traditional dances vary by tribe, from warrior dances to courtship rituals
Visiting during a local festival? Even better! You might catch a wedding ceremony, harvest celebration, or initiation rite.
Let’s talk about food — because culture starts in the kitchen!
Must-try dishes:
Ugali: The national starch, eaten with meat, fish, or veggies
Nyama choma: Char-grilled goat or beef
Zanzibar biryani: A spicy coastal twist on rice
Mandazi: Like East African doughnuts
Chapati: A soft flatbread you’ll want every meal with
Tip: Try a home-cooked meal with a local family for the full experience!
Every Tanzania safari we offer is crafted from scratch, fully customized to match your preferences, travel style, and budget. The sample itineraries below are simply starting points, designed to spark ideas and showcase the incredible possibilities for your personalized safari adventure.
Book Your 2025/2026 Safari Now & Get a Free Masai Culture Tour!
The Maasai are a proud and vibrant tribe known for their distinctive customs and way of life. This free tour offers a unique opportunity to interact with the Maasai people.
Still Have Questions? We’re Here to Help! Contact Us
To secure the best lodges and ensure park availability, we recommend booking at least six months in advance, especially if you’re planning to travel during peak seasons, such as June to October or December to February.
It’s simple. Reach out to us directly through our website, email, or WhatsApp. Let us know your:
Preferred travel dates
Group size
Budget and interests
We’ll send you a customized itinerary within 24–48 hours.
We’ll need your:
Travel dates (fixed or flexible)
Number of travelers (adults and children)
Safari preferences (e.g., luxury, mid-range, or budget)
Activities you’re interested in (e.g., game drives, hot air balloon, cultural visits)
To confirm your safari, we ask for a 30–50% deposit depending on the itinerary. The remaining balance is due 30 to 45 days before your safari begins.
Yes, it’s highly recommended. Your policy should cover medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and baggage loss.
A 30% to 50% deposit is required to confirm your safari booking.
The balance must be paid in full no later than 30 to 45 days before the safari start date.
Bookings made within 30 days of the safari require full payment at the time of confirmation.
We accept the following payment options:
Bank wire transfer (details provided upon request)
Credit/Debit card (processing fees may apply)
Mobile payment options are available in Tanzania
USD ($) is the preferred currency for all transactions
Please note: All bank charges and currency conversion fees are the responsibility of the client.
If you choose to cancel your safari, the following refund terms apply based on the number of days before your safari start date:
| Notice Period Before Travel | Refund on Total Payment |
|---|---|
| More than 60 days | 90% refund |
| 45 – 59 days | 75% refund |
| 30 – 44 days | 50% refund |
| 15 – 29 days | 25% refund |
| Less than 15 days | No refund |
All refunds exclude transaction, bank, and administrative fees.
No refunds will be issued for no-shows, missed departures, or unused services once the safari begins.
In the unlikely event that we must cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. natural disaster, political instability, or other force majeure events), you will be offered:
A full refund, or
The option to reschedule your safari at no extra cost
Date or itinerary changes are allowed free of charge up to 30 days before departure, subject to availability.
Within 30 days, amendments may incur extra charges based on supplier policies (lodges, airlines, etc.).
All approved refunds are processed within 14 business days.
Refunds are returned using the same method of original payment, unless otherwise agreed.
Passport Validity: Must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date into Tanzania, with at least two blank pages.
Tourist Visa: Required for most nationalities. You can:
Apply online via the official Tanzania Immigration website: https://visa.immigration.go.tz
Or get a visa on arrival at major airports (Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar)
Cost: Typically $50 USD, $100 USD for U.S. citizens (subject to change)
Tip: We recommend applying online at least 2–3 weeks before travel for faster processing.
Yellow Fever Vaccination:
Required only if you are arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever–risk country (e.g., Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia).
You must carry your Yellow Fever certificate if applicable.
Recommended Vaccines:
Tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, and COVID-19 (not mandatory but encouraged)
Malaria Prevention:
Tanzania is a malaria-risk zone; consult your doctor for suitable anti-malarial medication.
Use mosquito repellent and wear long sleeves at dawn/dusk.
Travel insurance is mandatory when booking with Northern MasaiLand Safaris. Your policy should cover:
Medical emergencies and evacuation
Trip cancellation or interruption
Lost or delayed baggage
COVID-19-related delays (if applicable)
You must provide proof of insurance before arrival.
Main Airports:
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – most common for Northern Circuit safaris
Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) – for southern Tanzania or Zanzibar connections
Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) – for beach holidays
Domestic Flights: We can book internal connections (Arusha to Serengeti, Zanzibar, etc.) as part of your itinerary.
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS), though USD is widely accepted.
Cards: Credit/debit cards accepted at most lodges (some with surcharges), but carry cash for tips, local markets, and small purchases.
ATMs: Available in major towns (Arusha, Moshi, Zanzibar), but not in national parks.
amy@northernmasailandsafaris.com
DeBeque, Colorado 81630 USA
+1 (970) 629-5086
+255754982525
info@northernmasailandsafaris.com
Kimandolu, Arusha Tanzania
