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Africa is cultural paradise. There’s no better place than this continent to learn about the different and couture of the local people. If you are thinking of planning a safari, a good idea might be to include a cultural safari where you’ll learn some of the cultural practices and ways of life of the different tribes on the continent.
Find the best places in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and the lesser known culture enthusiasts’ destinations in Rwanda and other African countries to indulge your cultural side during your visit.
Starting with Uganda where you’ll meet the traditional pastoralist people, the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania people, the forest living people like the Batwa of Uganda and Tanzania and the Hadzabe of Tanzania, then the Bantu of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, the Agikuyu (Kikuyu), Nandi, Meru, Embu, Maasai, Kamba and the Luhya. Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania feature some of the African hospitality winners.
Wonders of the North Safari – 12 days Explore the less known east as well
7 days Uganda Cultural Tours Day 1: Visit Kampala cultural sites Right after your Breakfast,
4 Days Rwanda Tour, 2 Gorilla Treks The splendor combined with gorilla trekking in Rwanda
This meticulously crafted 8-day Rwanda safari offers participants a unique blend of cultural exploration, chimpanzee
This carefully curated 5-day Rwanda cultural experience offers participants a deep dive into the country’s
This carefully crafted 6-day Tanzania safari offers participants a comprehensive journey through Tanzania’s most renowned
8-Day Botswana Safari: Central Kalahari, Okavango Delta, and Kwando Concession This comprehensive 8-day Botswana safari
8-Day Zambia Safari: South and North Luangwa National Parks This 8-day Zambian safari offers participants
This comprehensive 7-day Zimbabwean safari offers participants an exploration of three diverse areas, providing opportunities
Made up of one of Africa’s oldest tribes, who have inhabited the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for centuries, visiting this community to learn about their lifestyles, hunting methods, collecting of medicinal plants, storytelling, etc and much more – the best time to visit is during the drier seasons of June to August, and December to February, when it is most comfortable to go for forest walks, for this is often incorporated as part of a cultural safari in Uganda.
In the far north, in Kidepo Valley National Park, home to the semi-nomadic pastoralist tribe known as the Karamojong, spend a day or two with the community who will put on dances, oda (initiation) song and dance, and teach you about their life of cattle and goat herding. The dry season supplements the cultural experience – November to March, in fact – as this is when wildlife is more plentiful. Karamojong cultural tours are part and parcel of most Cultural tours Uganda.
To experience some culture while in Uganda’s capital, go to Ndere Cultural Centre where traditional dances, music and a brief history of the various tribal heritages of Uganda are on show. Ndere has regular performances all through the calendar year and is a great stop for any Kampala itinerary. Many Uganda safaris include a stop at the Ndere Cultural Centre.
Well-known for their distinctive red clothing and beaded jewellery, the Maasai reside in the Masai Mara district. Experience a traditional Maasai village, meet some warriors, and learn about their rich past. Cultural visits are offered all year long. The best weather is during the dry seasons from July to October and January to February. A Maasai village is often included in Kenya cultural tours.
Related to the Maasai, the semi-nomadic pastoralist Samburu live in the Samburu National Reserve, where you can meet them, learn about their traditional clothing and customs, and be treated to colourful dancing. Dry seasons (July to October and December to March) will suit you best. Many cultural safaris in Kenya include a visit with the Samburu.
At the Bomas of Kenya – a cultural centre 15km southwest of Nairobi – you can ‘experience’ the entire cultural diversity of Kenya at one venue. You can watch different traditional dances being performed, learn more about different tribes in Kenya, and purchase handcrafted souvenirs that exhibit different tribes’ colorful dressing and cultural symbols. It makes sense to have that experience at the Bomas of Kenya as there are many different tribes represented there, you can do it in one go. The Bomas of Kenya is open all year round and is a convenient addition to any tour of Nairobi: many Kenya safaris include it at some point.
The semi-nomadic Hadzabe (ha-da-ZA-be), one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes in Africa, live in the area near Lake Eyasi. Join the Hadzabe on a hunt (try your hand at the age-old technique), collect honey, and learn to make fire, traditionally by means of twirling a stick from a thorn tree. The drier months from June to October (aka the high season) offer more comfortable conditions for outdoor activities. Hadzabe hunts can be found as part of Tanzania’s culture safaris.
Meet the Maasai in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area and spend time with their livestock herds and peering into their huts, sharing in their songs and dances. Learn about different aspects of what was originally a nomadic lifestyle, and see what still works as a home. During my own trip there, I walked out with a hand miracle made from cow tail (for good luck) and a bundle of sweetgrass (for good scents). Dancers introduce information It’s easy to organise one of these visits anytime of year, but the dry seasons (June to October, and December to February) are best. Many Tanzania culture tours include a Maasai experience.
Visit Stone Town on the island of Zanzibar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by various cultures from Arab to Persian, Indian and European, it has a specific architectural style. Take a walk through the narrow streets, visit the oriental markets and learn about Zanzibar’s spice-trading past. It’s a great holiday any time of year, and cultural tours Zanzibar can be had in both the dry and the wet season.
Close to Volcanoes National Park, Gorilla Guardians Village is an opportunity to see traditional Rwandan life. Chat to local communities, learn about traditional craftsmanship or watch the troupe perform intricate dances. June to September and mid-December to mid-February are the best months to visit as the conditions are dry and good for outdoor activities. Most cultural tours in Rwanda visit Iby’Iwacu.
This site, once the seat of the Rwandan monarchy, reared its current kings after him. Today, the Nyanza Royal Palace pays homage to Rwanda’s royal past by allowing visitors to tour the royal grounds, meet palace officials, and view special exhibitions on the monarchy and its history and meaning in Rwandan culture. There is also an opportunity to watch traditional dancers in action. Nyanza Royal Palace is open year-round. The dry seasons – June to September and mid-December to mid-February – have the most agreeable temperatures and make for the best weather. Nyanza Royal Palace is a stop on many cultural safaris to Rwanda.
Omo Valley, southwest Ethiopia, is the heart of a complex tribal area, where more than a dozen tribes – with their own etiquette, style, dress and body decoration – maintain traditional ways of life. With escort of a guide from one of the local tribes, such as the Hamer, the Karo and the Mursi, you can not only experience tribal way of life but also witness tribal ceremonies, especially interesting in dry season (June–September), when the roads are best. Many of the tours to Ethiopia are cultural tours to, and in, the Omo Valley.
Early historical reference: Lalibela, a small town in northern Ethiopia and the site of the world’s most recognised 11 rock-hewn churches, dates back to the 12th century. Step inside these monolithic structures, learn the history of the churches and the sacrifices etched on their Biblical walls, and listen to religious ceremonies that have retained their beauty despite the ravages of time and influence. Lalibela’s dry season (October to April) affords the most comfortable weather, and many cultural safaris Ethiopia offer a stop in this historical town.
Goree Island, located off the coast of Dakar, the Senegalese capital, was a major hub for the Atlantic slave trade. Take an Island Tour featuring the colonial architecture and the House of Slaves museum, which illustrates the role that Goree Island played in the slave trade and the diaspora. The island is accessible year-round, with the dry season (November-May) being the most comfortable time to visit; Senegal cultural tours commonly include Goree Island.
The colonial city of Saint-Louis in northern Senegal has a lively music scene and one of the most picturesque urban historical centres in Africa. Take a stroll through its narrow streets with their brightly coloured buildings and listen to tour guides give insights into its past as an erstwhile French colonial capital. The most pleasant weather conditions in Saint-Louis are during the dry season (November to May). Saint-Louis is a common highlight on many cultural tours Senegal.
If you go to the Ashanti Kingdom, located in central Ghana, you will get acquainted with the glorious cultural wealth of this area and with quite dramatic history of its golden age in the 18th century. Visit the Manhyia Palace Museum and learn about the history of the Ashanti kings (Ohene) who lived here starting from the mid-17th century. Also, do not miss traditional workshops for weaving of kente cloth, the most common handmade and traditional Ghanaian cloth. The dry season between November and March is the most comfortable time for visiting the Ashanti Kingdom. Ghana cultural tours usually include this region.
Cape Coast Castle served as a centre for the Atlantic slave trade, and you can tour its creeping neo-gothic edifice to learn about its chilling history and the effects of the slave trade on African societies. Cape Coast Castle is open year round, although the dry season (November to March) offers the best weather (many cultural safaris to Ghana stop here).
Often referred to as the Basarwa, the San Bushmen have occupied southern Africa for at least 20,000 years. Stay with a San people in a camp in the Kalahari Desert and experience a traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle, as well as the unique click language and dazzling trance dances. It is best to visit in the dry season (May to October) when wildlife viewing is also at its best. Cultural tours Botswana usually includes an encounter with the San Bushmen.
As a semi-nomadic pastoralist tribe inhabiting the arid Kaokoland region of northwestern Namibia, the Himba endure a harsh environment. They live in the most isolated area of the sparsely populated country. Much of their traditional way of life still revolves around herding cattle, while adorable children are polished and groomed beautifully, sporting elaborate hairstyles and red ochre body paint. The Himba are also known for their narrow-necked rings, signifying belonging to a same blood line. Visiting the Himba is most comfortable during the dry season, which coincides with the cool season from May to October. This is also the time when most cultural safaris in Namibia take place.
Kawaza Village, next to South Luangwa National Park, is a typical Zambian rural community that lets visitors live like the locals for an overnight stay. You can also participate in villagers’ daily activities and learn about their traditions and culture. The ideal time to visit Zambia is during the dry season (May-October), which not only allows you to get close to the wildlife in the nearby National Park, but also is the best time for animal-viewing. Local cultural tours in Zambia often include accommodation at Kawaza Village.
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Wild Whispers Africa Safaris
Uganda, East Africa
Mob: +256753299565
Tel: +256 312107945
Plot 19 Bukoto Road , Kampala Uganda
Email: info [at] wildwhispersafrica.com
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