Day trip

Maasai Village Day Trip

Your hotel, a Maasai village, your hotel

Duration: Full day
Departs from: Arusha or Moshi hotels
Activity level: Easy
Best season: Year-round

your journey

Overview

The Maasai are semi-nomadic herders whose lives still centre on their cattle, and their villages are spread across the plains of northern Tanzania. This day trip takes you to a Maasai community to see how a family lives, works and eats, with the villagers themselves as your hosts.

You walk round the boma, the ring of low houses the women build from branches plastered with mud and cow dung, with the thorn enclosure in the middle where the cattle sleep at night. The men show you how they make fire by hand, with dry dung as tinder, and the elders explain the leaves, bark and roots they boil into medicine.

There is time for the beadwork that both men and women wear, for the spears, shields and tools of a herding life, and for a taste of traditional food. Before you leave, the village gathers to sing and dance, and the young men compete in the famous jumping dance.

Who it suits

Travellers curious about Maasai culture, families with children, and anyone with a free day in Arusha or Moshi who wants to meet people rather than animals. Always ask before you photograph someone; your guide will help.

Parks visited

what makes it special

Highlights

Walk through a Maasai boma and see how the homes are built
Watch fire being made by hand with a wooden drill
Learn about herbal medicine from the elders
Beadwork, traditional dress, spears and shields
Songs and the jumping dance of the young men

day by day

The itinerary

Your driver-guide collects you from your hotel and drives out to a Maasai village on the plains. The community welcomes you, often with a song, and a villager becomes your host for the day, with your guide translating where needed. They walk you round the boma: the circle of low houses the women build from branches plastered with mud and cow dung, and the thorn enclosure in the middle where cattle and goats are kept safe at night.

The men show you how they make fire, spinning a hardwood stick against a softer piece of wood until the dust smoulders, then blowing it into flame in a bundle of dry dung and grass. The elders explain which leaves, bark and roots they boil for different illnesses. You then sit down to taste traditional Maasai food and hear how a herding family feeds itself through the long dry months.

Meals: Lunch

In the afternoon the women show their beadwork, the necklaces, collars and earrings that both men and women wear, and explain what the colours mean. The men show their spears, shields and herding sticks. Before you leave, the village gathers for songs and dances, including the jumping dance in which the young men leap high from a standing start. Your driver then takes you back to your hotel.

Overnight: Returns to your hotel, no overnight

in pictures

Gallery

the price

What is included

Included

Transport to and from the village
Professional driver-guide
Village entry fee and all activities
Meals and drinking water
All taxes

Not included

Tips for your guide
Souvenirs and beadwork you buy
Travel insurance and personal items

Prices

Price on request

before you ask

Common questions

Most of our day trips start with a pick-up from your hotel. The Materuni Waterfalls and coffee farm trip includes a return transfer from Moshi. If you are staying in Arusha or elsewhere, ask your specialist about pick-up times and any extra cost.

The walk is easy to moderate and suits most people in reasonable health. The path to the waterfall goes down steps into a gorge and can be muddy and slippery after rain, so the walk back up takes a little effort. Your guide sets a gentle pace.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and a light rain jacket. For Materuni, pack a swimsuit and towel if you would like to swim in the pool below the falls, and a little cash for tips or souvenirs.

Yes. Many climbers visit Materuni the day before they start their Kilimanjaro climb, or on the day after they come down. Your specialist can fit any day trip around your climb or safari dates.

Yes, families are welcome on our day trips. Tell us your children's ages when you enquire, and your specialist will advise whether a trip suits them, for example how long the walking sections are.

Enquire

Ask about this itinerary

Every AAA Express Adventure trip can be changed to suit you: the pace, the lodges, the number of days. Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and our team in Arusha will come back to you with a plan and a price.

Your journey

Price on request

Full day