Tour Overview
Experience the vibrant culture of the Maasai with our immersive Maasai Village Tour. As you enter, you’ll be greeted by the bright colours of Maasai shukas and beautifully handcrafted beaded jewellery that signify identity and social status. Enjoy the rhythmic sounds of Maasai music and dancing, including the famous “jumping dance,” where you may even get a chance to join in!
Visit the traditional Maasai Bomas—small, thatched-roof homes made of mud and branches—where you’ll learn about the village’s unique building methods and daily life. This unforgettable experience offers a glimpse into the rich traditions of the Maasai people.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Vivid Maasai Attire: Admire the colourful shukas and beaded jewellery, showcasing the Maasai’s rich cultural identity.
- Handcrafted Beadwork: Witness the women’s intricate beadwork, reflecting their social status and cultural heritage.
- Traditional Dance & Music: Experience the vibrant Maasai music and join in their famous “jumping dance” for an unforgettable cultural exchange.
- Visit to the Bomas: Explore the unique Maasai homes, built with mud, branches, and dung, offering a glimpse into their traditional lifestyle.
- Village Tour: Walk through the village and observe daily Maasai life and community interactions.
- Local Handicrafts: Support the village by purchasing authentic handmade crafts, preserving their art and culture.
INCLUDES AND EXCLUDES
- Nairobi airport hotel pick up/ drop off transfers
- Transport in a customized 4×4 pop-up top Land Cruiser jeep.
- Services of an experienced English/other language speaking safari tour guide/driver
- Stay in economy, comfort or luxury lodge/tented camps
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Bottled water
- All taxes, fees
- Maasai Mara Game Park entrance fees
- Meals at the Mara Camping site
- International flights.
- Tips (Tipping guidelines).
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour (Unless mentioned otherwise).
- Personal Items (Souvenirs, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, etc.).
- The government imposed an increase of Taxes and or Park Fees.
DAY BY DAY
Arriving at the Village – An Explosion of Colour
The first thing you’ll notice as you enter a village is the many vivid colours of the Masai’s garments. The bright shukas or sheets they wear contrast strongly with the greens and browns of the landscape.
Adding to this display of colour is the brightly beaded jewellery – necklaces, bracelets and amulets – worn by the women and men.
This beadwork, while very appealing, has more than just an ornamental value. The women who create it express their identity and social status with these handcrafted pieces.
You’ll see displays of this beaded jewellery for sale, and you can help support the village with a purchase… as well as bringing home an authentic souvenir from your travels.
Music and Dance
You may get to experience the villagers singing and dancing… and you might even be able to join in! The Maasai are known for their rhythmic call-and-response singing. Perhaps their most widely known dance is the adumu or “jumping dance”.
The warriors form a circle with one person entering the center. This dancer will jump higher and higher to the rhythms of the singers. As he jumps higher the singers will raise the pitch of their voices.
Sometimes guests are invited into the circle, adding to the dancing fun!
The Boma
Standing in muted contrast to the colourful villagers, you’ll see the browns and grays of the Maasai’s houses, called bomas. Small structures with thatched roofs, it is the job of the Maasai women to build these sturdy dwellings.
The women begin with a framework of timber poles and interweave smaller branches to form a structure. This is then covered with a mixture of mud, grass, cow dung, urine and ash. The entire structure is no more than 3 x 5 m in area and stands only 1.5 m tall.
Yet the family cooks, eats, sleeps and socialises in this modest structure – even sharing space with small livestock! You may be able to peek inside to experience a very different lifestyle.
The men also participate in constructing this homestead. It is their responsibility to build the protective fencing around the village to keep lions and other predators away from the livestock.
Location
Feel Your Wanderlust
Explore the best of Kenya with our carefully curated Kenya safari packages. From the iconic Masai Mara and the stunning Amboseli National Park to the vast landscapes of Tsavo and the scenic Lake Nakuru, we offer exciting adventures tailored to your preferences. Enjoy thrilling game drives, spectacular wildlife sightings, and cultural experiences through Kenya’s natural wonders.
