Rafiki rafí:q (Swahili) n. noun: friend, comrade.
Come to Africa for the wildlife. Return home with a friend for life.

 

Culture

Although most people travel to Africa for the wildlife, we believe that your trip is not complete until you experience the local culture. Rafiki Safari Tours offers opportunities to visit the real Africa, mix with the locals where they live, learn and practice indigenous crafts and forge lasting friendships.

Indeed, a visit to East Africa simply would not be complete without enjoying authentically prepared nyama choma (roast meat), kicking a football with local children, learning to weave a basket or picking up a few dance steps or even joining village men on a hunt (not the big game kind).

 

   

 

We are currently offering cultural tours with the following tribes:

Kenya:

Kamba 

If you have ever seen a wood carving labeled “Made in Kenya,” chances are that it was made by the Kamba woodcarvers. Wamunyu, Kenya, located approximately three hours east (by car) of Nairobi, is our base for exploring Kamba culture. While the Kamba men are master woodcarvers, the women are best known for their colorful sisal baskets. Music and dance also play a major role in the Kamba culture. During your visit you will be entertained by school children as well as elders who will wow you with their vast repertoire of exciting sacred and secular songs and dances. We also offer an opportunity to learn basket weaving and traditional dance steps with the villagers.

In the spirit of ecotourism, your visit with the Kamba is coordinated with and helps to benefit Kenya Connect , an international non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting cross-cultural exchange and grass roots community development through personal and service oriented relationships between East African children and their peers throughout the world.

 

  

Maasai

The Maasai are among the most well known of all the nomadic tribes in East Africa. Kiserian, Kenya, which is located just outside Nairobi, represents the hub of authentic Maasai culture and is well off the beaten tracks of the safari routes. In addition to experiencing daily activities in traditional homesteads, you will have a chance to bolster your knowledge and hone your skills in traditional beading and batik art. 

Your visit with the Maasai is coordinated with and helps to benefit Enkishon Nataana, a Kenyan-based non-governmental organization dedicated to responsibly eradicating poverty, eliminating illiteracy, and improving the health and living conditions of the Maasai people.

   

 

Tanzania:

Our cultural tours in Tazania are coordinated with the Tanzania Cultural Tourism Programme. Although we are able to offer visits with nearly two dozen tribes, the following represent a couple of our favorites:

Wa-Arusha

The Wa-Arusha reside just outside the city of Arusha at the base of Mount Meru. With a culture based in Maasai traditions and a trade based on cultivation as opposed to traditional Maasai nomadic lifestyle, the Wa-Arusha are often referred to as “Maasai farmers.” Excursions to Wa-Arusha villages include visits with local families, meetings with traditional healers and sword makers, and indulging in the rich local fare.

   

Hadzabe Bushmen

The Hadzabe are nomadic hunters and gatherers who live roughly an hour drive southwest of the Ngorongoro Crater on the northern shores of Lake Eyasi. We offer a unique opportunity for you to join these legendary masters of the hunt and experience survival as Mother Nature intended -- from using a bow and arrow and learning to make a fire from wood -- to gaining insight into a culture that to this day, literally survives off the bush.

Rafiki Safari Tours · P.O. Box 13742 · Arusha, Tanzania · (255) 754 688 933 · rafikitours@yahoo.com