2 days -
Maasai village in olpopongi
-
price from
$195
per adult
min person:
1
days: 2
Includes
- Transport
- Village fees; Museum tour and Bush walk
- 1 night accommodation in a traditional Maasai hut
- Driver guide, local English speaking Maasai guide and cook
- 1 traditional lunch, 1 BBQ dinner, 1 breakfast
- 1,5l bottle of water
Excludes
- Personal items
- Tip for guides
- Sodas and alcoholic beverages
Itinerary
Day: 1
Arusha to olpopongi village
Well collect you early in the morning for the drive to olpopongi village, west of kilimanjaro. Relax on the three-hour drive through the beautiful outback where, depending on the season, youll see an array of wildlife such as zebra and elephant. And, of course, on clear days youll take in the awesome views of not just kilimanjaro but its brother mountain, mount meru, too.
Olpopongi is a purpose-built cultural heritage centre that is doing its part to protect the natural lifestyle and culture of the maasai. Not only does the work and hospitality there support the maasai who live in the nearby village of tinga-tinga, but its a sustainable and educational alternative to the usual tourist cultural trips that intrude on the privacy of the maasai and often lead to the degradation of the maasai culture. Olopongi is run by the maasai people as an authentic village experience; the only non-authentic details are the western showers and toilets!
Youll reach olpopongi just before lunchtime, when the friendly maasai will greet you with a traditional welcome song and dance and some refreshing mango juice.Your guide will show you around the village and youll check in to your hut where youll later spend the night. After settling in, youll visit the little museum where your guide will tell you all about the history, social organisation and tools of maasai people and theres plenty of time for questions and conversation.
To keep your energy up, youll enjoy a traditional maasai lunch (dont worry, veggies catered for!) and after a bit of a chill out, youll visit a midwife and herbalist in one of decorated huts, where youll learn about traditional plant remedies and the maasais strong spiritual attachment to the land.
After a break for coffee (or tea we havent forgotten tea lovers in this country of coffee!) and perhaps a little forage into the jewellery shop for beautifully crafted beadwork, youll take a herbal walk into the bush to discover more about the plants and their usage.
Day 1 is rounded off nicely with a fire-making session and a bbq under the stars, before you dream the night away in your maasai hut.
Day: 2
Olpopongi village to arusha
To make the most of your tour, try to wake up early to experience the pink-and-apricot sunrise, clear, cool air and the dawn birdsong; but of course you can snooze a bit longer in bed. Whatever you choose, youll have a tasty alfresco breakfast and afterwards some time to chat to villagers, explore some more and take a few final photographs of this unique heritage centre and the people youve met. After the farewells, well drive you back to arusha just in time for lunch.
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