Cultural experiences in Tanzania
Across Tanzania the cultural groups and traditional practices differ greatly. A few examples of these contrasting groups are the iconic Maasai people who live mostly in northern Tanzania, the largely Muslim population of Zanzibar (see our comments on cultural experiences in Zanzibar), and the waMeru people who settled at the base of Mount Meru hundreds of years ago, to name but a few.
Lemon Grass Beach Holiday
6 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$2,040 - US$2,800 per person
Chole Mjini
Chole Mjini was built to benefit its local community, with local people helping to build the lodge. It is a great place to visit if you value being able to interact with village life. Don't miss the walking tour of the village.
Chimpanzee Fly-in Safari
8 days • 3 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$10,130 - US$14,810 per person
Greystoke Mahale
Guests can visit the local village and school with a member of staff from Greystoke Mahale.
Spotted Hyena Fly-in Safari
7 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$7,350 - US$9,360 per person
Kigelia Camp
Guests take a half day visit out of the park to Tungamalenga Village, where the Nomad Trust supports the local school and clinic with basic educational and medical supplies, as well as outreach programs.
Crowned Hornbill Guided Safari
6 days • 3 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$3,960 - US$5,540 per person
Rhotia Valley Ttd. Lodge
Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge has had a noticeably positive impact on the local community through its establishment of a nearby children’s home – and guests can see this work first-hand.
Flufftail Guided Safari
10 days • 3 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$11,410 - US$16,860 per person
The Highlands
The Highlands has a close relationship with the local community, and guests may visit with a staff member to learn about the culture. This is a very genuine visit and not a working 'tourist' village.
Fringe-eared Oryx Fly-in Safari
7 days • 3 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$8,400 - US$12,520 per person
Entamanu Ngorongoro
Entamanu has developed a very strong, sustainable relationship with the local community, provide genuine insights into Maasai life for guests whilst not degrading the traditional culture of Tanzania in favour of tourism.
Tinkerbird Fly-in Safari
8 days • 4 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$10,340 - US$15,100 per person
The Highlands
The Highlands has a close relationship with the local community, and guests may visit with a staff member to learn about the culture. This is a very genuine visit and not a working 'tourist' village.
Marabou Stork Fly-in Safari
13 days • 5 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$16,050 - US$23,210 per person
The Highlands
The Highlands has a close relationship with the local community, and guests may visit with a staff member to learn about the culture. This is a very genuine visit and not a working 'tourist' village.
Gorillas and Serengeti Safari
11 days • 4 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$12,620 - US$14,390 per person
Mountain Gorilla View
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge has strong ties with the surrounding communities and supports a local 'Intore' dance troop who perform at the lodge each afternoon. The word 'Intore' means warrior and bands of sisal on headbands portray dancers as fearsome lions.
Gorillas and Migration Safari
9 days • 3 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$17,070 - US$23,410 per person
Bisate Lodge
Bisate works very closely with the local community and complimentary village walks are offered to all guests, this is a good way to get a feel for the rural way of life in Rwanda. Many of the staff come from the local area and Bisate has invested in a number of community projects.
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Cultural experiences elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Cultural experiences in other countries.

Botswana
Botswana has diverse ethnic groups living side by side in what has historically been a very peaceful ...

Kenya
Kenya offers a rich variety of cultural experiences with plenty of involvement with local villages...

Malawi
Almost any travelling in Malawi can offer insights into the country's culture and traditions - ...

Mozambique
Mozambique can offer really unique African cultural experiences - which have their roots in its ...

Namibia
Namibia is one of our favourite places for cultural experiences in Africa. Despite having one of ...

Rwanda
Rwanda has a rich and well documented cultural history. Far from being clearly distinct tribes, ...

Zambia
Zambia's safari camps are notable for their small scale and often excellent community ties, leading ...

Zanzibar
Simply staying on Zanzibar is a cultural experience in itself. The exotic, vibrant atmosphere of ...

Zimbabwe
Despite its troubled recent history, Zimbabwe is a vibrant and beautiful country, with some excellent ...
Where to see wildlife species in Africa
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.

Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
2,608 sightings from 3,217 observations

Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
46% SUCCESS
1,660 sightings from 3,573 observations

Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
32% SUCCESS
869 sightings from 2,735 observations

Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
31% SUCCESS
749 sightings from 2,388 observations

Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
54% SUCCESS
1,831 sightings from 3,398 observations

Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
67% SUCCESS
2,131 sightings from 3,166 observations

Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
2,195 sightings from 2,658 observations

Chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes
The chimpanzee is our closest living relative. This highly intelligent great ape is a forest animal with a sophisticated social life. Any encounter in the wild is a memorable experience.
100% SUCCESS
28 sightings from 28 observations

Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
48% SUCCESS
1,231 sightings from 2,564 observations

Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
3,134 sightings from 3,458 observations

Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
70% SUCCESS
1,152 sightings from 1,644 observations

Gerenuk
Litocranius walleri
With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.
78% SUCCESS
77 sightings from 99 observations

Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
3,004 sightings from 3,501 observations

Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
2,280 sightings from 2,562 observations

Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
22% SUCCESS
399 sightings from 1,776 observations

Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
22% SUCCESS
383 sightings from 1,774 observations

Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.
18% SUCCESS
51 sightings from 291 observations

Striped Hyena
Hyaena hyaena
The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.
14% SUCCESS
105 sightings from 736 observations

Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
3,299 sightings from 3,917 observations

Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
67 sightings from 2,906 observations

Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
47 sightings from 2,864 observations

Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
530 sightings from 1,738 observations
