HADZA bushmen guided tRip (10 days)
Cost: $3500 ($1000 deposit). 7 person max. 5 person minimum to run course
Dates: May 14-23rd, 2022 (FULL)
Location: Lake Eyasi, Tanzania. The closest international airport is Kilimanjaro (JRO) and closest town is Arusha.
BOOK THIS COURSE
Learn ancient skills from our ancestors the Hadzabe! This is an opportunity like no other...Live in the bush among the Hadza tribe in the Yaida Valley of East Africa. The Hadza are some of the last true hunter gatherers of our time. Still to this day they hunt and forage for subsistence
COURSE DETAILS
As a small group we will be living alongside a family of Hadzabe whom we have a close relationship with. Together as a tribe we will craft and then hunt with traditional bows, make fire, and forage for wild honey, roots, and fruits. You will have a unique opportunity to engage with them personally. This full immersion program is life changing for most as it is a glimpse into our history as human beings.
The learning atmosphere is very relaxed. The pace is based on “Africa time” with no emphasis on rushing anything. The actual hunts can be fast paced though! Food will be provided and supplemented with wild foods we harvest. The Hadza respect all animals however there is no sugar coating when it comes to dispatching, field dressing, and eating them. Please be prepared for this as it is a matter of survival for them.
We will be very isolated, far from advanced medical assistance. We do carry emergency beacons and comprehensive first aid supplies as we are very remote. We do require a liability waiver to be signed prior to the trip.
A reasonable level of fitness is imperative and required for this trip. We expect each participant to be able to hike 10hrs a day if required.
Please note: After booking we require a phone conversation to assess the health and fitness of each individual. We reserve the right to refund the deposit and refuse participation of an individual that does not meet the basic health and fitness standards.
Read National Geographic's article on the Hadza here
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Tanzania - Transfer to hotel in Arusha. Our Local safari guide Abbas will pick you up and transport you and the rest of the participants to our lodge in Arusha town for the first night.
Day 2: Arusha to Lake Eyasi. After breakfast Safari guide/driver Abbas will pick you and the rest of the group up for the 5 hr journey to the Hadza village in Lake Eyasi. On Arrival you will meet your main trip guide Joel, Hadza guide and translator Mike, and Hadza Leader Xon Xa and his family. Set up camp and familiarize yourself with the surroundings
Day 3-7: Hunting, bushcraft, and cultural learning. 5 jam packed days (and sometimes nights) of hunting and bushcraft training with Joel and the Hadza Bushmen.
Day 8: Drive from Lake Eyasi to Karatu lodge. Last hunt in the morning with the Hadza then depart Lake Eyasi in afternoon. Stop in local village for a traditional Swahili lunch, then drive to lodge for a shower, dinner, and comfortable bed for a well earned good night sleep.
Day 9: Game drive into Ngorongoro crater and visit a Maasai village - drive back to Arusha. Early wake up and departure for a 1 day driving safari through world famous Ngorongoro crater conservation area spotting Africa's large game such as Lions, Rhino, elephants, Hyena, buck, zebra, buffalo and much more. Leave for Arusha in the afternoon with a stop over at a traditional Maasai village for a tour to learn the culture and medicinal plant walk. End of the day you will be dropped off at our lodge for the last night
Day 10: Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) airport. Enjoy breakfast at the lodge and relax by the pool before the transfer to the airport. Our driver will pick you up 3 hrs before your flight departs.
What to bring
You are limited to what you can carry on your back for this adventure however we encourage students to go minimalist like the Hadza by bringing only the essentials. Most Hadza only own 1 set of clothing, a blanket, a knife, and bows and arrows. PLEASE DO NOT BRING CAMOUFLAGE SHIRTS OR PANTS. We provide sleeping mats for comfort and here is what we recommend you bring:
One set of clothing including a warm sweater or something similar(Temperatures at night can drop to the low 50's(Fahrenheit) but typically in the 60's
wool socks
knife
Mosquito head net or full bed net, repellent and sun screen
Stainless steel water bottle or canteen
Hat
Good hiking boots which should be worn in. If you want to wear sandals like the Hadza please make sure your feet are conditioned to them or else we do not recommend it.
Sleeping bag or wool blanket
We recommend sleeping exposed to the stars as the Hadza do and therefore do not recommend bringing a tent
Waterproof jacket or poncho.
light weight camping tarp for rain protection. This is usually not needed but best to have in case of rain.
Feel free to bring any personal sanitation items you desire
Head lamp or small flashlight
Water filter
Requirements for this course
Please read through our requirements carefully before booking this course
We require each participant to purchase travel insurance. This can be done online for $30-$100 depending on the company you choose
Provide a negative Covid 19 test if required
To enter Tanzania you will require a visitors visa. This can be completed online for a cost of $100
Each participant needs to be physically fit: If you cannot hike 10 miles a day with a 20lb pack then this might not be the course for you. Please contact us about your physical ability. We recommend a jogging or hill sprint workout routine prior to doing this course.
Each participant will need to fill in a liability waiver prior to departing for Tanzania
Each participant needs to be healthy. Prior to booking please enquire with us if you are on heart or diabetic medications, allergic to bee's, or have any other health conditions
Participants must be 14 years of age or older to partake
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Private 4x4 Safari vehicle for all transportation including to/from Kilimanjaro (JRO) airport
All entry/village/park fees
Professional guides
All meals excluding day 1 dinner and day 10 lunch
Accommodation
drinking water
sleeping mats as well as tents upon request
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights to/from Kilimanjaro international airport (JRO). It is highly recommended to book your flight within 60 days prior to course start date, or book a refundable/changeable flight. Please refer to booking terms, conditions and refunds below.
Tanzania travel visa which can be purchased for $100 at the airport upon entry for US passport holders. We recommend obtaining the visa from a Tanzania embassy prior to arrival. This allows speedy travel through immigration
Personal sanitary items
Gratuities: tipping is voluntary and at your own discretion, however generally much appreciated if you are happy with your service.
Health information
Tanzania does have malaria and therefore it is recommended to speak to your doctor or view the CDC's website (Centre of Disease Control) about prophylactics. The area we are in does not have large amounts of mosquitoes, and therefore pretty low risk, however it is recommended to bring a mosquito net and spray with you. Prevention is better than cure! We are happy to speak to you personally about this topic if you feel the need, you can contact us here
It is important to alert us to any health issues you might have prior to doing this trip such as allergies to bee's, heart issues, diabetes etc...
BOOKING TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND REFUNDS:
A NON REFUNDABLE $1000 deposit is required to secure your spot on the course. The remainder must be paid in full no less than 60 days prior to course start date.
It is highly recommended to book your flight within 60 days prior to course start date, or book a refundable/changeable flight.
If we have not had a minimum of 5 bookings by 60 days prior to course start date, and therefore cannot run the course, we will notify all persons with reservations and you will have the choice of being provided a full refund or a credit toward the same course at a future date. As soon as we receive the minimum bookings we will contact you with confirmation of the course proceeding
See full cancellation policy when clicking on the “BOOK THIS COURSE” button below