Wildlife may be the focus of your safari, but the human stories are just as powerful. Many of these cultural experiences – in or near the parks – allow you to connect with the people who live in Tanzania’s wild landscapes and perfectly balance safari and local culture. Learn about Tinga Tinga painting in Mto wa Mbu, walk with the Maasai at Lake Natron, or learn about traditional medicine in the bush. Whether it’s a short visit or a full-day immersion, each encounter is authentic, respectful, and led by the community itself.
Or how about an activity that simply allows you to relax or see the parks from a different angle? Flying over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon or walking through the treetops at Lake Manyara might be just the thing for you!
THINGS TO DO NEAR NGORONGORO & LAKE MANYARA – MTO WA MBU
Plan a day of activities to break up your safari and get out of the car to stretch your legs. We can combine several of these cultural activities to fill your day or combine just 1 activity with a morning or an afternoon of relaxing at your accommodation.
1/2 day
LAKE MIWALENI HIKE
A beautiful hike to the picturesque Lake Miwaleni, with optional waterfall trek
1/2 day
MTO WA MBU MOUNTAIN BIKING
Cycle through the farmlands of Mto wa Mbu to see local farms, churches and more
1/2 day
MTO WA MBU TUKTUK TOUR
Discover the town of Mto wa Mbu in a local ‘bajaji’ (tuktuk)
1/2 day
MTO WA MBU VILLAGE WALK
Visit a local market, church, farms and taste banana beer during a walk in Mto wa Mbu
1/2 day
MTO WA MBU ZIPLINING
Fly through the Tanzanian skies during an exciting ziplining adventure
1/2 day
TINGA TINGA PAINTING
Learn the secrets of Tinga Tinga painting during a local painting class
1/2 day
RIFT VALLEY PLATEAU HIKE
Hike up the wall of the Great Rift Valley to the plateau above for stunning views
INSIDE THE NATIONAL PARKS & OTHER SAFARI DESTINATIONS
We can organize plenty of amazing activities inside the national parks. A walking or canoe safari inside one of the parks (available in some parks), a hot air balloon flight over Tarangire or Serengeti National Park, a romantic bush dinner for a special celebration, a treetop walk, a night game drive, massages and other spa treatments at your accommodation, a hike to Empakaai crater inside Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a hike from Ngorongoro to Lake Natron, a responsible and respectful Maasai village visit at Lake Natron, a visit to Olduvai Gorge and its museum in Ngorongoro Conservation Area… It’s all possible! Let us know the kind of activity you’d like to do and we’ll add it to your custom safari itinerary.
AUTHENTIC CULTURAL ENCOUNTERS – OUR MAASAI EXPERIENCES
We don’t organize the quite typical short visits to Maasai villages because we don’t believe that it’s possible to learn anything more than stereotypes about people and their culture in just an hour. The villages that are most visited near the national parks on the Northern Circuit have turned into a mix of real tourist traps and human zoos, and it genuinely makes us feel uncomfortable being there.
However, we have some other options that are amazing for those that want to learn more about Maasai culture in a deeper, respectful way that’s focused on genuine human exchange. These experiences can be organized as an add-on to your safari, or as separate packages. Head over to our dedicated page to learn more and pick your favorite option!
