Honorary Maasai Program, Engaruka

I first met Abby Matthew when he was seventeen. I turned up in Engaruka and camped at his father's campsite in the middle of town called the Engaruka Ruins. Abby offered to act as my guide. Abby is currently a student at MWEKA, Northern Tanzania's school of wildlife and conservation management.

Abby has put together some short cultural itineraries for me which we decided to call Honorary Maasai programs. They are for those hardy travelers who are truly interested in immersion in Maasai culture. They run from three days and two nights to five days and four nights and involve camping at the Engaruka Ruins campsite. There are no guesthouses in Engaruka. The itineraries are designed for easy inclusion with a longer wildlife safari since Engaruka is located half way to Lake Natron on a track which runs north from the town of Mtu wa Mbu at Lake Manyara National Park. Between December and March you will find zebra, ostrich and buffalo sharing new grasses with Maasai cattle in the Engaruka area. The rift valley scenery is superb. For more information see Cultural Safari under Tour Info.

05-10-2007