Kenya like most countries in Africa has diverse cultures with over 40 ethnic groups. The rich culture has been best preserved in traditional practices and monuments that have lived on for centuries. The Masai people, who has one of the world most famous cultures, has for hundred of years dominated the southern plains of Kenya which today abodes some of Africa most well known game sanctuaries. In some places the community has paved way for conservation choosing to live harmoniously with the wildlife which is why you have a great chance to encounter Masai tribesmen during your safari. In this guide we are going to cover some of the cultural tours you can pick for an authentic Africa cultural experience.
1. Visit a Masai village in your Masai Mara tour
Masai villages are situated close by Masai Mara and Amboseli, which are Kenya leading game sanctuaries. In Masai Mara, there are villages set on the main gates. Some private conservancies like Naishulai in the Eastern side of the game reserve are wholly operated by the local communities and you are likely to encounter a number of Masai herdsmen as you go on with your day activities. This makes Masai Mara the most ideal destination for a combined game and cultural safaris.
However, guests seeking a more intense cultural tour should consider a day safari to loita hills situated to the north of Masai Mara. The Masai in Loita are both semi-nomadic and agriculturalists. Very few visitors get to meet local communities in this area which make them the most unspoilt and authentic option. Here you will have an opportunity to interact with members of the Masai community in their Bomas and perhaps participate in local dances. For cultural enthusiasts who would like to have a detailed experience, you can engage in a walk around the Masai settlements in loita, where you will encounter locals engaging in their normal day activities like grazing and farming.
2. Visit Samburu village in Samburu reserves tour
The samburu community are linguistically and culturally related to the Masai. The community is semi nomadic and have settled in a semi arid and sparsely populated part of central rift valley. Most tourist visit the community during their safari in the samburu reserves. Like the Masa, the Samburu,i live a traditional way of life and stay in communities commonly referred to as bomas. Your samburu village visit could range from a short afternoon excursion in a boma near the samburu reserves to a whole day experience in one of the dusty settlements situated in the far flung areas in central rift valley, where you will spend the entire day with the tribesmen carrying out their daily activities. The samburu are primarily pastoralist and since the region is quite dry they tend to shift positions more than the Masai. Dancing is a significant part of the samburu culture and tourist visiting the villages are treated to a very exciting show.
3. Visit the El Molo people in your Lake Turkana trip
The El Molo people live on the southeastern shores of Lake Turkana. With just 4000 members of the community left the El Molo are one of the endangered indigenous community who still hold to their traditional against modern civilization and assimilation. Unlike the Masai and the samburu who are cattle keepers the El Molo depend on fishing to make a livelihood. In your visit to the village you will have an opportunity to interact with the local people in their homesteads mostly encompassing Manyatta made of doum fronds supported by poles from indigenous trees. Here you will learn about the community interrelation with the lake and the survival tactics apply to remain secure as they go on with their activities in one of the worlds most dangerous water body known for its high crocodile population. The El Molo are very welcoming and cultural enthusiast can spend the day with the locals as they go on with their day to day activities.
4. Visit the Rendille during your visit to Marsabit/ chalbi desert
The Rendille people are cushitic community live in the chalbi desert in the remote northern Kenya and the only truly desert safari destination in the country. Here you will visit one of the traditional village made of a cluster of huts uniquely designed to adopt to the hot environment. Besides learning their traditional ways you will participate in camel rides which are the communities main mode of transport around the desert.
5. Experience the swahili culture in Lamu
Lamu town has the best preserved swahili culture and the only town in Kenya listed as UNESCO heritage site.The strong culture is depicted in the incredibly alluring architectural designs some over 700 years old. Here donkeys are the dominant means of transport. The community here is very conservative and most of the native prefer Islamic dress code. With Islam being the dominant religion, the area has some of the oldest mosques in East Africa . Here you have an opportunity to interact with the local community as they fish in the ocean or participate in sea sailing in the ancient Arab dhow. You can also sample some of the local Swahili cuisines, mostly seafood, in a restaurant or at a barbecue in the market area.
6. Take a tour to the sacred mijikenda sacred forest while in Mombasa
The mijikenda are Bantu speakers living in the coastal part parts of Kenya. Until in the 19th century community lived in fortified villages referred to as Kayas set in 8 separate forests site in a 200km long stretch of the coastal forest mainly consisting some of the oldest indigenous trees. Today Kayas are no longer used as settlements but are instead preserved as sacred places where local believes the ancestors abodes. This explains why the local community holds the preservation of the coastal forests dearly. During your walk in the forests you will be escorted by a local guide who will help you identify various plant varieties and the different roles they play in the traditional culture. The forest is listed as one of the UNESCO world heritage sites.
7. Visit Mombasa Old Town during your beach holidays in the south coast
Mombasa old town has the best display of the evolution of Kenyan coastal culture blend from a series of conquests and dominance over the past 1000 years. Here you will be able to find architectural representation of Arab, Swahili, and Portuguese cultures. The fort Jesus is the most popular monument found in the old town. Built by the Portuguese in 1593, the fortress was used as watchtower to avoid invaders who would come from the seas. The facility has a prison chamber where criminals and rebellious slave were locked during Oman Arab rules. Today the facility has a museum that display the rich east African culture. During you heritage walk in the old town you will also have an opportunity to sample some of the swahili seafood at one of the eateries in the Arabic bazaars.
8. Experience the kenyan diversity at Bomas of Kenya
The Bomas is one of Kenya largest auditorium with a capacity of up to 3000 occupancy. The facility is situated in Nairobi and forms an ideal cultural tour for guests awaiting an evening or following day flight. Here you will enjoy the best display of Kenya colourful diversity with exhibitions of over 50 traditional dances from different ethnic groups that live in the country. Other African traditional aspects you will get during your trip are the diverse dressing styles and crafts arts. The utamaduni restaurant found within the facility serve different local cuisines .
