| Cultural
Encounters |
If you
are interested in getting close to everyday
beauty of African life the swerving
Kenyan matatu careening through the streets of
Nairobi, hawkers announcing their wares on the
street corner, children sitting in rows reciting
verses from the Quran, a dhow sailing gracefully
in the early morning light, or the ancient Lake
Tanganyika steamer disappearing into a magical
sunset, its decks cluttered with a dazzling array
of people and goods then our cultural encounters
travels would be ideal for you. Eastern Africa
is a culturally highly diverse region, Kenya alone
has got a total of 53 tribes. The best known tribe
are the semi-nomadic Maasai, whose colourful dresses
are reflective of their inspiring way of life.
Travelling through Eastern Africa, you
will be struck by its many contrasts
humble thatched huts and luxurious safari lodges,
traditionally dressed Maasai warriors and office
workers in suits, cosmopolitan cities and remote
villages where infants run away from you as they
believe that you are the much-feared village god.
Our ambition is to facilitate authentic
encounters with everyday life in Africa .
With the exception of Ethiopia, which offers stunning
architectural sights, cultural encounters in Eastern
Africa are mainly encounters with the people of
Africa which allow the traveller to get
a glimpse of an often still ancient way of life
. These encounters can occur through staying
for one or several days with the people of a traditional
village and sharing their lives. Such a visit or
stay can also include the participation in a community
project which allows the traveller to get closer
to the life of the locals. In addition, a few lodges
and camps in remote areas of Kenya and Tanzania
are starting to facilitate these encounters, with
guests staying in the lodge or camp overnight and
sharing other aspects of everyday life with the
locals. |
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We want you to feel the
heartbeat of Africa. Our aim is to make you experience
the true essence of this continent ,
far away from the staged village visits in Amboseli
and the Masai Mara, and we will take you to places
that hardly any other traveller will ever see
. Relax on a tea or coffee plantation,
visit one of the remote tribes and get a glimpse
of an often still ancient way of life, enjoy the
colourful weekly markets, walk with Samburu
warriors , stay in their traditional
village and share your hosts' everyday lives
or get a closer look at community projects.
The small and unplanned personal encounters
with the people of the places we visit are often
what we cherish most and will keep most
vividly in our memories. You might be asked by the
host of your safari lodge whether you would like
to join in the daily volleyball game with the lodge
staff or the weekly football match between the lodge
staff and the people of the neighbouring village.
When you are then, an hour later, running behind
the ball together with 35 other wanna-be Ronaldinho's
and hear the local commentator who runs up and down
the field shouting your name every time you hit
the ball, you will feel a simple and genuine
joy as in this moment all barriers between you and
the local people have vanished a sensation
and a memory that you will take home with you.
If you are interested in our Cultural Encounter
theme, please click on the Develop Tailor
Made Travel button and fill our questionnaire.
Alternatively, you can also contact us at info@enchanting.africa.com
and indicate your interest in the Cultural
Encounter theme in the message box.
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Cultural Encounters:
14 days in Kenya Nairobi, Laikipia, Samburu
and Lamu
This itinerary provides different perspectives
of East African everyday life, ranging from
visiting street markets and community projects
in Nairobi, enjoying the hospitality of Masai
in the only entirely community-owned and run
lodge in Eastern Africa, experiencing a camel
safari in Northern Kenya and a close encounter
with Swahili culture in laid back Lamu.
Click here
to see this itinerary. |
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Cultural Encounters: 16 days in Kenya
and Tanzania Rift Valley, Masai Mara, Zanzibar
and Pemba
A walking safari through the spectacular Rift
Valley with Maasai guides allows you to get
an understanding to their fascinating culture
which is deepened during a stay on a Maasai-owned
group ranch bordering the Masai Mara. This
experience is complemented with Zanzibar's
exotic Stone Town and a glimpse at undisturbed
coastal life in remote Pemba Island.
Click here
to see this itinerary. |
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