Meet the Hadzabe community

Visit the Hadzabe people, a nomadic tribe of hunters and gatherers who live in rural Tanzania. The community is based around Lake Eyasi in the Great Rift Valley and they depend on foraging for plants and hunting small game such as squirrels to survive. The Hadzabe are one of the only tribes in Tanzania that still have a completely traditional culture, so visiting them offers a rare glimpse into the lives of real bushpeople.

The trip takes place in the early morning, before the tribesmen head out to hunt. There’ll be a local guide who can translate as the Hadzabe people show you around their village and tell you about their culture, history and daily life. Guests enjoy learning about ancient hunting techniques and can even have a go at firing a bow and arrow at a wooden target. According to the Tanzanian government, the Hadzabe are the only ones allowed to hunt in the area because of their ethnic heritage and use of traditional weapons.

You’ll also get to meet the women in the village, who will show you what their houses look like and how they forage for vegetables, honey and fruit from the baobab trees. One of their main sources of vegetables are tubers, a root which they dig from the ground like potatoes or cassava. There might even be a chance to participate in cooking, which is done BBQ style. As well as seeing wildlife and the Big Five, I think it’s important for guests to meet the people of Tanzania, which is why I’d recommend this cultural visit to this fascinating tribe.