On a high with the Maasai

After a couple days exploring Lake Manyara, it was off to the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge for a couple of nights staying on the top rim of the world’s largest inactive, unbroken and unfilled volcanic caldera. Yes, I needed Google to get that description.

But before setting off to safari down in the crater, our ranger drove us along the rim to visit a Maasai village and meet the people who live there and learn about their traditions and how they have carried them up to today.

Enveloped in warmth

When we arrived, a maasai woman and man came and clothed us. We chuckled and chatted happily together while they dressed us in their vibrant-coloured plaids and adorned us with the proper accessories: a spear for Chuck and the most beautiful beaded necklace ring for me. I was obsessed with it. I still am. It’s a work of art.

(we made sure to get approval before taking any photos and videos.)

Our guide gave us both new names. Mine was Naserian, which means “lucky one.” and Chuck was named Losotwa, which means “warrior that brings love.”

A robust welcome

As we were standing around by our vehicle chatting with our guides, we started to hear a rumble growing from inside the Maasai’s compound. And then the entire tribe started to emerge from the entrance and began welcoming us with a chant while marching together.

Amazing.

Then they grabbed our hands and had us join them marching back into the compound. OMG, I was not ready for this. I’m a big, tall, uncoordinated woman being led by the most nimble, beautiful women, who probably tapped out at 5’6″. Suffice to say, I was a mess. But did I have the best time ever? Never a doubt.

The Adumu (Maasai jumping dance)

As the shadows stretched far in the late afternoon, we danced and leaped and chanted together in pure and utter delight. I clutched the hand of the woman who clothed me as I joined in. And I wasn’t letting go! She was so supportive.

Omg, and all the colours!!! Be still my heart. ♥️♥️

A life lived like no other

After the dance, our guide shared how they make fire with two sticks and a blade and how they care for their livestock and keep it safe in this area. Then we were shown inside one of their homes to see how they build them to maximize space and light.

The men were so keen and proud to show us how they have thrived living high up on the edge of this crater for centuries.

They then showed us all their handmade wears and we picked up a few small things and also the large beaded necklace the woman adorned me with because I just had to.

Afterwards, we left all aglow. Like when you leave a really good evening out with friends, filled up with new stories and heartfelt connections.

A sublime sunset

On our way back to the lodge, driving along the crater rim, we came across a bunch of giraffes noshing their way through dinner while the sun was setting. ☀️🦒

What a moment! (I uttered that at least five times every day in Tanzania.)

—

A whirlwind of epic proportions

After 16 days, our Tanzanian adventure came to a close. And boy, what a whirlwind it was!

We began in the high altitudes of Arusha near Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, then found ourselves camping in the treetops of Lake Manyara. From there we swooped down onto the crater floor in Ngorongoro, then back up to the immense terrain of the Serengeti to then finish on the pristine white sand beaches of Zanzibar in front of a turquoise Indian Ocean.

And along the whole way, we knew we would see wildlife, but we were not prepared for how much. We knew we would love the culture and the people, but had no clue how many friendships we would make. And we knew our senses would be delighted, but we were not prepared for a constant sensory overload. This place, man. 🙌🏻🙌🏾

We were so blessed to take this trek and be surprised multiple times a day.

And when on any journey of any kind, if at the end of the day you go to bed grinning from ear to ear and feeling completely fulfilled, well, then, there’s nothing left to say… Except, Tanzania is not a real place.