3 Day: Living Among the Native Maasais

Very early in the morning, after breakfast, you will meet with the Maasai family in Engaresero village, where every family from the East part of Lake Natron goes to a local market every Thursdays (if you will visit on Thursdays) for some food staffs and to fetch water from the river. Their donkeys accompany them to deliver their supplies. If you will not visit on Thursdays you will start the day in the village. After attending the market, you will take the road with them for 4 hours walking in breath-taking landscapes until you discover the location of their habitats, the bomas in a very remote area of Lake Natron. With the donkeys carrying your food, all camping gear, and luggage, the walking trail will give you the opportunity to observe many animals and wild birds. Upon arrival at the village, the cook will prepare the meal and the clan will gather to welcome you with dancing, songs and you will meet everyone else. The children as usual will be happy to see you.

You will be awakened by the sounds of young animals (cows, goats, sheep) calling their mothers, but before assembling them for grazing they will milk the cattle. You will have a share of a Maasai tea prepared with fresh boiled milk from their cattle. You will choose activities to participate; either to go with the warriors in search for food, or join with the women, children and youth on their daily duties like looking for fire wood and cattle grazing. The local guide will explain their ways of life, their culture, their traditions and you will be able to interact with the extended families, and with meet the elders. Maasai love meat and they only eat it on occasions. They will propose to share with you the ritual of sacrificing a goat, they will choke it, skin it in front of you, the meat will be cooked over a wood fire, the warriors will dance, sing and tell their ancestral stories.

After the traditional breakfast, you will get a chance to observe the wild animals and the birds, very closely along the shores of the lake. You will then refresh yourself in a natural pool of hot spring water, then return to the boma and prepare yourself to resume back to the village of Engaresero. After this long walk, it will be time to say goodbye to your host family and the community at large, a pinch to the heart filled with beautiful memories of these human adventure with this people at once so different and yet so close to us. Warriors with donkeys will escort you carry your camping gear and luggage and start your journey back to Arusha.