The African continent is home to some of the most interesting and colourful warrior and semi-nomadic tribes, many of which have maintained ancient traditions and are willing to share their rich cultural heritage with visitors.
Kenya and Tanzania, in particular, with their relatively accessible colourful tribes people, are popular destinations for visitors who are interested in visiting a local village, to learn about their way of life and traditional customs, which are often a juxtaposition of the very old with the very modern. Certain aspects of village life have remained mostly unchanged dating back to hundreds of years, but it is not unusual to now see present-day tribesmen carrying mobile phones.
Rich cultural interactionTo enhance the safari experience, many camps offer cultural visits to the local villages, home to many of the guides, trackers and waiters; and in the case of Kenya, they may be dressed in traditional attire instead of the khaki drill-style uniforms of safari guides elsewhere.
Meet the oldest inhabitants of southern AfricaIn Botswana, safari camps in the Kalahari and the Makgadikgadi Pans offer guests an opportunity to walk with San Bushmen trackers and observe age-old tracking and hunting methods and other rituals.
Semi-nomadic desert peopleIn Namibia, guests can visit and spend time in the settlements of the striking Himba people (semi-nomadic pastoralists of the Namib Desert) to experience an incredible cultural awakening.
Africa's vanishing tribes' last frontierAnd for the ultimate tribal experience, southern Ethiopia's Omo Valley is home to eight main tribes - the Hamer, Bana, Mursi, Suri, Kara, Dassanech, Arbore and Nyangatom and their sub-tribes - giving guests the incredible opportunity to observe up to 18 of Africa's vanishing tribes. The elaborate body and face painting, intense bull jumping and stick fighting, fascinating lip and ear plate wearing can all be found in and around the Omo River, Valley and Delta.
Meet Africa's future leadersThere can be few more rewarding experiences than to visit a local African school and to meet the teachers and students. To spend some time with a classroom of children, answering their eager questions about where you come from, and to find out more about their daily lives, can be quite inspiring and humbling.
Should you wish to help the local communities there, we would be pleased to enquire in advance of your departure, if there are any particular items needed by the local school that you may want to consider packing and bringing with you. If arranged in advance, a donation of genuinely needed supplies can be sent to the camp ahead of your arrival, which you can then present in person to the community during your visit.
