Day 10: Hunting with Hadza people

On our last day in the early morning we woke up at 4 am and headed to visit Hadza people. Since these people are hunters-gatherers, we visited their village to share a hunting experience with them. They hunt every day or two, depending on how lucky was their last attempt. Since they don’t stay long at one place, they don’t have any facilities at all to store food, they eat what they can catch and then they hunt again. They don’t grow anything, but only gather some plants in the bush around.

1. When we arrived it was still dark and the men of the Hadza family were sitting around the fireplace and smoking marijuana. As they explained to us, it was sort of a ritual to get stronger and fearless before hunting.
hadza people sitting around fire at Lake Eyasi

2. They produce fire with an old fashioned manner. Of course, I couldnt resist to try it on my own. It was pretty hard i’d say, you should move your arms very fast!
trying to get some fire with hadza people at the fireplace at Lake Eyasi

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Days 9 and 10: Datooga tribe at Lake Eyasi

In the afternoon of Day 9 of our amazing journey, we headed to visit Datooga people. Well, what can I say? It’s one of the most exiting experience ever to meet people who live far away from the “civilization”, it’s like traveling back in time!

They don’t update their Facebook and Twitter every five minutes, they don’t have any modern facilities in their houses, their everyday life is simple is that. They produce handmade leather clothes and jewelry using spoons and other metal stuff they can get. And they also produce some arrowheads for Hadza people. Their kids go to village school, but not all of them stay there for long time.

Yes, they sort of entertain tourists. But being there and seen what i’ve seen makes me sure that its not just a theatre for tourists. The surrounding territory is a typical african bush with lots of wildlife around and nothing more. Few villages are thrown out here and there with one tiny local shop. And that’s basically it. The main food there is Ugali, kind of a porridge made from corn flour. I didn’t have any impression that after we left, they immediately switch from their dirt houses to some other more modern ones.

In this post i’ll show you some photos and videos from our visit.

1. This video shows the road to Datooga people

2. Upon arrival we greeted this Datooga family. From right to left: family chief, Anton, his wife, me, his daughter, Andrey and wife’s sister
datooga family

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Days 9 and 10: Lake Eyasi

After visiting the Ngorongoro crater area, we continued with one of the most memorable places ever Lake Eyasi. Not so many safari operators offer this opportunity to visit this remote area and take a look at the tribes who live there: Datooga and Hadzabe. We not only visited their villages but also had a unique chance to see how Datooga tribe people make hunting weapons for Hadzabe tribe. And on the next morning we could even hunt for about 3 hours with Hadzabe people. That was simply amazing! If you ever have a chance to visit Tanzania, this is definitely one of the places I can strongly recommend.

In this post i’ll show you some general photos of the camp we lived and lake itself. Next two posts will be about Datooga and Hadzabe people. I didn’t use my canon camera during those two days, only iPhone and Fuji, since it was much easier, especially when you run through the bush to catch a small bird.

1. This is the reception office of the lake Eyasi area where they give you a guide and you pay some entrance fee. (everything was already included in the price of Bobby Camping safari).
Lake Eyasi entrance

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Days 8 and 9: Ngorongoro crater

After Serengeti, we headed to the Ngorongoro crater. This is a large volcanic area, where you can spot lots of animals. We spend there just one night and one day. If I would go now, I would definitely spend more time there. It’s very beautiful there.

The name “Ngorongoro” comes from the language of the maasai tribe. They call it the sound of the bells they use for cows, goats and sheep.

1. Giraffes on the way to Ngorongoro.
giraffes on the way to Ngorngoro crater

2. White-naped raven.
white-naped raven on the Ngorongoro campsite

3. Big baobab tree at the campsite. It was pretty cold there, especially during the night, so bring some warm clothes with you.
big baobab tree at the Ngorongoro campsite

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Days 6, 7 and 8: Central Serengeti

No need to tell you about Central Serengeti. I think I’m not mistaken if I say that everyone who is traveling to Tanzania visits this national park. And it’s truly a gem! Huge territory with lots of animals and beautiful landscapes and numerous birds. I just show you how lucky we were to see so many animals busy with their things like hunting or having an afternoon nap!

1. This lonely lioness was smelling the air and thinking about where to go for hunting.
lioness central serengeti

2. Then we were so lucky to spot this spotted hyena with a head of wildebeest! The head was very heavy and our hyena made a few stops while carrying her precious cargo!
spotted hyena with a head of wildebeest in serengeti

3. This is a typical african landscape: it’s a party time for some vultures, jackals and hyenas to have a good meal!
landscape with hyenas and jackals in serengeti

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