An African Safari like no other. Step back 10,000 years in time and walk the cradle of human civilization with some of the last living guardians of humanity’s traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle and ancestral knowledge.

Hadzabe master hunter-gatherers and Maasai warrior herdsmen will be your hosts, guides, and teachers as you gain special permission to live and travel with the tribes across some of Tanzania’s most pristine stretches of wilderness.
Travelers will actively pursue daily living resources with the tribes as well as learn traditional living skills like bow making, friction-fire, medicinal and edible plant identification and harvesting, game processing, clothing fabrication, cooking, animal tracking, and more.

Expedition Africa

Tanzanian Tribal Living Immersion Details:

September 23rd 2016 – October 7th 2016

During this 14 day journey, travelers will not only experience daily tribal life first-hand, you’ll also have frequent opportunity to get up close and personal with Tanzania’s extremely varied and majestic wildlife while on-foot and in the back-country.
This is a vastly different experience than game viewing from a car window at one the tour-bus game reserves. Our expert tribal guides will lead us to spectacular views of elephants, giraffes, gazelles, hippos, lions, and more.
There is no more intimate way to see and experience the traditional culture and wild places of Tanzania than to travel with us. Space is limited. Full details and itinerary below.(See also the FAQ section at the bottom for answers to common trip questions.)

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania. In-country orientation. Safari hotel accommodations (a.k.a – your last hot shower + famously spotty wifi access.)
Day 2: Travel to Oldonyo Sambu in the Maasai Steppe. Here we will stay with the legendary Maasai people and take part in their traditional way of life. Maasai experts will teach us about their pastoral lifestyle, traditional plant and animal medicine, food preparation, animal processing, and other daily survival techniques they have been using for thousands of years to thrive.

Days 3 & 4: Travelers will set out on a walking safari with Maasai Warrior guides as we begin travelling camp-to-camp on foot. Unparalleled animal siting opportunities as well as local natural history will be experienced as we continue to learn from our Maasai guides while exploring the Oldonyo Sambu wilderness adjacent to the eastern border of Tarangire National Park.
Day 5: Our adventure continues with a full-day naturalist guided safari game drive deep in the heart of the Tarangire National Park to seek out close encounters with Africa’s extremely diverse plant species wildlife population.
Day 6: Travelers will transit the famous rift valley by landrover and head up and over the Mbulu plateau and into the Lake Eyasi basin to join the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers for the next leg of our adventure.

Days 7-11: Five full days of becoming fully immersed in Hadzabe traditional culture and life-ways. The Hadzabe are one of the oldest peoples on earth. Genetically distinct for more than 100,000 years, they are some of the last true hunter-gatherers in the world. While living and traveling with the Hadzabe people from camp-to-camp in search of living resources, travelers will experience every aspect of daily life with the Hadzabe. Travelers will:

• Learn the landscape, animal tracking, and all aspects of stone-age living from some of the last true hunter-gatherers on earth.
• Forage for wild edible and medicinal plants, wild honey, and other useful materials.
• Help prepare and eat traditional meals.
• Become immersed in Hadzabe culture, story-telling, natural history, and song.
• Craft traditional Hadzabe friction-fire kits, bow and arrows, and other traditional living tools.
• Shadow Hadzabe hunters daily as they seek out wild game. Observe Hadzabe hunting practices in-depth and learn how to use traditional hunting tools.
• Learn how to process wild game for food, clothing, and tools.

 

Days 12 & 13: Adventurers will begin traveling through Ngorongoro highlands and then down into the famous Ngorongoro crater, cradle of human civilization. Home to 30,000 animals, there will be some spectacular opportunities for animal viewing and seeing the natural history of one of mankind’s oldest homes. We will then head the rest of the way back to Arusha and arrive late in the evening.

Day 14: Flights permitting, we will site-see in Arusha prior to heading to the airport and flying home.

Tanzanian Tribal Living Immersion Adventure FAQ:

How is this Safari different than others?

Simply put, we have special access with the Maasai and Hadzabe to offer true tribal living immersion and exclusive access to certain parts of the the Serengeti and Tanzania that you can’t get with any other Safari tour group, even the very best ones. Our Tanzanian partners have over 30 years of experience working directly with the tribes to create sustainable and non-intrusive Safari living experiences that benefit the tribes directly as partners rather than having funds just stay with a tour company. Travelers do not visit the Hadazabe and Maasai for “smile and wave” photo ops, rather, you are granted special permission by consent of the tribes to live with them and learn their life-ways. This is simply not possible (at least not authentically) with any other company.

Is this trip worth it?

That’s really up to you and your life goals and what type of African experience you are looking for. This trip is best suited for those who have a deep interest in experiencing nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle first-hand. We recommend doing your homework on other Safari options. Cookie-cutter safaris offered by most outfits won’t come close to granting you the same in-depth access and tribal immersion experiences we offer. For a trip of this length that approximates some of our route and some of the things we will see and do, a $25,000+ per-person fee is fairly standard. For much of this trip, other tours simply don’t have the permit access or the specific tribal connections to make it happen. Our pricing reflects a desire to make this experience as accessible as possible for those wanting to experience true hunter-gatherer lifestyle at least once in their lifetime.

What is the per person cost?

The guide fees for each person for the 2016 expedition are $11,480.
Guide fees include:
– All meals during the 14 day trip while in Tanzania (See meal details below.)
– All lodging during the trip in Tanzania (See lodging details below.)
– All safari permits & fees: (National park fees, game reserve permits, tribal land access fees, guiding permit fees, camping fees, environmental impact fees, tribal general fund fees.)
– Expert local guides: Throughout the trip you will be accompanied by certified Serengeti bush guides, as well as Maasai & Hadzabe guides, in their respective home territories. Guides provide logistical support, security, and expert naturalist instruction throughout your experience.
– All Transport: From when you arrive till when you return to the airport to fly home, all transport has been arranged for.
– Equipment: All necessary equipment needed for this expedition has been arranged for. All you need to bring is the personal items listed in the packing list provided to you upon registration.
Cost Not Included: During this journey, costs not covered include:
– Airfare.
– Souvenirs.
– Alcohol or tobacco purchases of any kind.
– Hotel Spa or room-service fees.
– Travel emergency health insurance (Required. Usually $50-$100 USD)

Is airfare included?

No. Airfare must be purchased separately. A good deal generally ranges between $1,500- $2,500 round-trip from the USA to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Please make sure that arrival and departure dates match planned trip arrival and departure dates (flights can take 30+ hours). Flight deal search engines like Kayak.com can give you a good picture of current costs for the planned travel dates. Flights from major airports like LAX tend to be cheaper.

What about gear?

This is a minimum-effective gear adventure. On the extreme end, California Survival School instructors have done this trip with little else than the clothes on their backs. For an enjoyable adventure, the lighter the better, less is more! Some gear changes with the season. We will provide you with a full list of required, optional, and prohibited gear upon registration.

How does lodging work?

In Arusha: Upon arrival and before heading home, we will stay at a preferred local Safari lodge. Hot showers, nice beds, and somewhat spotty wifi access are available.
On Safari: Once we leave Arusha, travelers have two choices.
Go Native: Get kitted out with native gear and sleep like the locals. This often means, what you are wearing plus a fire. CSS instructors prefer this.
Safari Camp:While still rustic, our logistics support staff will have tents and sleeping bags on-hand for those who want them during all legs of the Safari. Cost remains the same.

How do meals work?

Serengeti Fine Dining: If desired, all travelers will have the option of three meals a day prepared by our local travel support staff chefs. These meals will appeal to more western tastes and will be both healthy and delicious. Meals are included in cost of trip.
Go Native: The more adventurous can eat solely with the tribes. When (and what) they eat, you eat. It’s up to you.

Are There Any Health Requirements For This Trip?”

The short: We hike a lot. You should be in good health. Doctor’s physical and some vaccinations required.
More Detail: As this trip can be physically demanding and involves foreign travel, it is your responsibility to help us assess your medical health and your ability to successfully complete an adventure with California Survival School.
As such, California Survival School REQUIRES THAT ALL TRIP APPLICANTS HAVE A COMPLETE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND RECEIVE A PHYSICIAN’S APPROVAL IN WRITING PRIOR TO FINAL ACCEPTANCE FOR ATTENDING THE TRIP.
– All trip attendees will need to complete a Health History Form and a Medical Examination Form (signed by an MD) prior to arrival. Your doctor should be able to provide forms that cover all requested pertinent information.
– Any and all medications that you plan to be taking during the trip must be stated clearly on your course paperwork and any issues, allergies or concerns you may have should be given in writing and discussed with us prior to your arrival.
Additionally, we ask that you make sure that you are up-to-date on all of your necessary vaccinations prior to travel.
– CDC recommended routine vaccinations
– Additional recommended vaccinations: CDC info here.
(Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Yellow Fever.)
– Malaria. (This is not a vaccine treatment, but preventative treatments in pill form for Malaria (like Malarone, etc.), are recommended. Consult your doctor for their recommended preventative Malaria treatment regimen.)
– Trip attendees should feel confident of being able to walk 5-6 miles a day at a moderate pace with a day pack.
Please keep in mind, even with your doctor’s approval and California Survival School‘s approval for you to come on this adventure, there are no guarantees. Health and participation risks (inherent and otherwise) remain. It’s up to you and your doctor to determine if one of our trips is an appropriate choice. All participants must be aware of these risks and accept them. Please contact us if you have any questions.

What are the age minimums and maximums?

Travelers must be at least 16 years old. All travelers under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult parent or guardian also attending the trip. There is no maximum age as long as you meet the health requirements.

Is there a minimum number of people needed for this trip to run? Is there a maximum number or attendees?

Yes, this trip needs a minimum of 3 attendees to run and has a maximum of 12 people. If minimum number of attendees is not met at least 60 days prior to the trip start date, all travelers with reserved spots will be notified and refunded in full. We recommend that travelers purchase refundable airfare tickets if purchasing 60 days prior to the trip and before the minimum number of travelers has been confirmed.

What are my refund options after booking?

Travelers who have a reserved spot may request a refund in full (less a 10% fee to cover payment and processing charges) if the request is received in writing by California Survival School at least 60 days prior to the start of the trip. Within 60 days or less of the trip start date, full or partial refunds of trip fees are not guaranteed and will be approved at the discretion of California Survival School as we deem appropriate.

Additional Information:

When you register for your trip you will receive an information packet that covers all the major details of planning for this trip (i.e. – How to get here, pre and/or post-trip nearby lodging recommendations, packing lists, etc.) If you have any additional questions, please email or call 1-877-256-3214.