Responsible and authentic insights

The owners at Tafika have excellently integrated the camp into its local community. If you are keen to experience traditional cultures in Zambia you are welcome to visit the village, where you can expect a very warm welcome.

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge has strong ties with the surrounding communities and supports a local 'Intore' dance troop who perform at the lodge each afternoon. The word 'Intore' means warrior and bands of sisal on headbands portray dancers as fearsome lions.

It's hard to comprehend survival in the wilderness of the NamibRand without refrigeration or water on tap. But take a guided walk from Wolwedans Desert Lodge, and learn how Namibia’s Khoisan peoples and their culture thrived in this desiccated landscape.

Botswana's first World Heritage Site, the Tsodilo Hills, are easily accessible from Nxamaseri Lodge, which offers guided and catered day trips here. Get a taste for this ancient culture, see the amazing density of historic San rock paintings and take in the stunning views.

Unguja Lodge is only a short walk from the village of Kizimkazi, with many of the staff coming from the area. The lodge supports a number of community projects and guests are encouraged to go on a village walk to explore the area and meet the locals.

Namibia’s Khoisan peoples and their culture thrived for generations in the desiccated wilderness of the NamibRand. At Wolwedans Dune Camp, learn a little of how on an interpretative Bushman walk led by one of their descendants.

Camp Kalahari offers a fascinating and authentic walk with Bushmen, which we consider to be one of the best cultural experiences in Botswana. You'll go out with Bushmen guides, looking at the surrounding flora and fauna, and hearing about their traditional culture.

Zanzibar Palace Hotel is a characterful property with beautiful rooms and antique furniture. It is located in the heart of Sone Town from where you can easily go on a guided tour to explore the old town and discover Zanzibar's history and culture.

Guests can visit the local village and school with a member of staff from Greystoke Mahale.

Matemwe Lodge sits at the north end of Matemwe village, it has close connections with the area and supports a number of community projects.Take a guided walk to visit the fish markets, explore the streets and try octopus curry at a local restaurant.

From Bushman paintings and the grave of Cecil Rhodes to Bulawayo and the Khami ruins, guests at Amalinda have much of Zimbabwe's history at their fingertips. For an even more in-depth immersion in the area's history, why not book private guiding with Paul Hubbard?

At Nhoma Camp you're staying right by a Bushmen village. Here, the Ju/'hoan people have been a part of the camp's setup from the beginning, and benefit substantially from your visit. Time with these people offers amazing insights into a hunter-gatherer culture.

Elephant Bedroom is managed by members of the Samburu community and offers local Samburu village visits. During these you’ll gain genuine insights into local daily life – an experience which benefits both the guests and community.

Guests take a half day visit out of the park to Tungamalenga Village, where the Nomad Trust supports the local school and clinic with basic educational and medical supplies, as well as outreach programs.

Set within the Wupara Conservancy in Namibia’s Caprivi Strip, Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge offers a cultural visit to the homestead region of the conservancy. This tour takes in a local school and – where possible – a traditional authority.

Machaba can arrange excursions to meet local villagers, so you can see what life is like in this fairly remote corner of Africa. This takes time, but can be fascinating and always varies depending on what's happening in the village when you visit.

Arguably Namibia’s most remote camp, Serra Cafema offers visits to traditional Himba villages. They’re authentic experiences; off the beaten track, away from most tourists, and conducted with great sensitivity. Learn about the lifestyle and customs of these semi-nomadic people.

Guests at Khwai Tented Camp who would like to experience a bit of Botswana culture may visit the nearby Khwai Village. This is an ordinary village, many of whose inhabitants are from the Bayei group, sometimes referred to as river Bushmen. A visit could well add a social perspective to your safari, but we stress that it's not a “tourist attraction”.

Sabyinyo is owned by a community trust (SACOLA), with a portion of the profits being fed back into community projects such as vegetable gardens, farms and beehives. The lodge has close links with the local village and guided walks can easily be arranged.

Chole Mjini was built to benefit its local community, with local people helping to build the lodge. It is a great place to visit if you value being able to interact with village life. Don't miss the walking tour of the village.

A Skeleton Coast Safari offers an unrivalled opportunity to experience one of Namibia’s traditional cultures. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you may seek out Bushman rock art, or visit a remote Himba settlement, where the traditional lifestyle is slowly dying out.

This is a camp staffed by Samburu people who can take you to neighbouring villages to meet their community in an authentic, non-commercial manner. You can also visit the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, a remarkable community initiative.

Entamanu has developed a very strong, sustainable relationship with the local community, provide genuine insights into Maasai life for guests whilst not degrading the traditional culture of Tanzania in favour of tourism.

A converted merchants house, Emerson Spice is filled with charm and character. Walking through the doors you feel as if you have stepped back in time. The central location is ideal to explore the narrow streets and delve into Zanzibar's rich culture.

Likoma Island is home to local villages as well as the lodge. Village tours with a guide can be arranged, or you just set off on foot or bike by yourselves. The community involvement is excellent – Katundu Textiles, started by Kaya Mawa, employs many local people.

Shiwa Ng’andu is a real experience. You’re visiting a real place; it's somebody’s home and a working estate, not just a lodge. Shiwa’s hosts, Charlie and Jo offer an amazing stay, and the chance to get involved in the day to day running of this historical property.

The Highlands has a close relationship with the local community, and guests may visit with a staff member to learn about the culture. This is a very genuine visit and not a working 'tourist' village.

In a nearby seasonal river, Samburu people assemble in the dry season to form human chains, collecting water from deep wells for their livestock. Singing as they work, their tunes create a hypnotic experience known as the ‘singing wells’.

Jack's Camp offers an insightful and authentic walk with Bushmen. Going out with Bushmen guides, you'll learn about the flora and fauna integral to their lifestyle, and hear about their culture. We consider that this is one of the best such walks on offer.

Of the many different tribes in Namibia, each has its own unique customs and traditions. Find out about some of these on a cultural excursion to a local Caprivian village from Nambwa Tented Lodge.

Bushmen walks from San Camp offer a sensitive, authentic and really interesting experience. You'll learn about the vegetation, maybe dig up some roots and even taste some of them; it's an excellent introduction to some of the traditional culture of Botswana.

Jafferji House is, in itself, somewhat of a cultural experience. Owned by the renowned photographer, publisher and gallery-owner Javed Jafferji, the hotel was his childhood home and is full of traditional character and historic charm.

As a result of Kalahari Plains’ partnership with local San Bushman, we strongly recommend the camp for traditional cultural experiences in Botswana. Guests gain a glimpse of how this fascinating culture has survived for centuries in harsh conditions.

Most guests will visit a local Maasai village during their stay and you can interact with people and learn something about the Maasai way of life. With no fees charged and nothing sold, this provides genuine, brief insights into Maasai culture.

Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge has had a noticeably positive impact on the local community through its establishment of a nearby children’s home – and guests can see this work first-hand.

Hoanib Valley Camp offers guest the option of a sensitive and welcoming interactions with Namibia’s some of traditional cultures. While these trips focus predominantly on Himba villages, they can be extended to take in Herero or Damara communities too.

Owned, managed and staffed by the Il Ngwesi Maasai community, this lodge in the remote bush of eastern Laikipia is one of Kenya’s best bases for a deeper cultural immersion than simply visiting a local village or compound.

Lake Manyara Serena offers a wide range of cultural experiences. You can go on a half day mountain-bike trip down the Rift Valley Escarpment ending in Mto Wa Mbu village, or take a more in depth walk around the village – where you can experience many elements of village life.

This fascinating and unique tourism project allows visitors a real insight into rural Zambian daily life. Visitors can take part by spending a day, or overnight, in this friendly village and experience the everyday routine of those that live there.

Bangweulu Wetlands is a community-owned, protected area, striving to be a leading example of community-driven conservation. 50,000 people from six Chiefdoms in the area sustainably harvest Bangwuelu’s natural resources for their survival and livelihoods, and impromptu visits by canoe to their tiny, reed-thatched fishing villages are genuinely warm and insightful.

The camp is closely linked to the community guiding school nearby, as well as a local school and women’s arts centre. A few hours spent learning about the lives of the Maasai people is a very worthwhile addition to your stay.

Khowarib Lodge is superbly located for cultural interactions with Namibia’s iconic Himba tribespeople. Despite their semi-nomadic existence, Khowarib has a good track record of genuine interactions between guests and the inhabitants of the surrounding Himba villages.

Sarara Treehouses has strong ties with the local Samburu community. Visit a local village for an authentic cultural experience and stop by the ‘singing wells’ where people sing as they collect water for their livestock.

Ibo Island Lodge offers a fascinating cultural and historical experience of Ibo Island. Once a Portuguese stronghold, a great deal history still remains, and the lodge can organise guided walks to local villages and to historical sites highlighting the colonial architecture.

With strong links to the local community, Bomani Tented Lodge offers school and village visits. These activities are a great way to meet the local people and to understand more of Zimbabwe’s culture.

Stay at Emerson on Hurumzi and experience the rich culture of Zanzibar. The hotel is filled with antique furniture from the time of Zanzibar's sultans, while the rooftop restaurant serves a traditional Swahili feast accompanied by live taarab music.

Chilo Gorge does a great amount for its local community. It has very close ties with the Shangaan village of Mahenye, and can organise trips here. It’s a real insight into an authentic Zimbabwean village, and a very interesting experience.

Selenkay offers unique interaction with the Maasai warriors who staff the camp. The camp’s sincere involvement with the local community, providing employment and funds, creates a truly authentic relationship that is evident throughout your stay.

Nkwichi is a key part of the Manda Wilderness Community Trust and its levels of community involvement are absolutely superb. You can visit a local village, or the interesting demonstration farm, where you will undoubtedly be met with a warm, genuine welcome.

Bisate works very closely with the local community and complimentary village walks are offered to all guests, this is a good way to get a feel for the rural way of life in Rwanda. Many of the staff come from the local area and Bisate has invested in a number of community projects.

Tassia operates as a partnership between the local Maasai community and the managers – and so there is great involvement with the local villages. You'll have the opportunity to visit and learn as much as you like, in this exceptionally well integrated lodge.

Many travellers visit Damaraland to seek out the area's desert-adapted wildlife. Ozondjou Trails not only offers this opportunity but also gives an insight into the life of modern Namibians and the challenges they face of human–wildlife conflict.

Namushasha Lodge worked with local people to help create the Namushasha Heritage Centre in 2014. This “living museum” showcases the village life, traditions and culture of the HaMbukushu, BaLozi and MaFwe peoples who inhabit the Caprivi area.

For a break from exploring the Bwabwata, embark on a cultural visit to a local homestead from Kazile Island Lodge. A local guide will talk to you about the day-to-day life of the residents of the village and about the unchanged traditions of the Mbukushu and Lozi cultures.

School visits are on the agenda here, and can be very worthwhile. The 2-hour walks around the Talek community area include background on the local economy. A group of women make souvenirs, and the proceeds of these go back to the community.

A boutique hotel in the heart of Ilha de Moçambique’s stone town, Terraço das Quitandas offers an authentic stay in a historical and culture rich area. It's suited to the more independent traveller who is willing to explore and discover the island for themselves.

Visiting the traditional fishing villages in the Quirimbas isn't staged; it's a friendly way to experience a real slice of African island life. Fishermen build dhows on the beach, silversmiths make jewellery using ancient techniques, and curious children call out greetings.

Norma Jeane's is just 7km from Great Zimbabwe, the ruined capital of the late iron-age Kingdom of Zimbabwe and the modern country’s namesake. While the lodge is quite simple this is a must-see destination for those seeking a deeper understanding of Zimbabwe's culture.

Karangoma has the local Bukakhwe San at its heart. The lodge is a genuine partnership with the San community and there are excellent opportunities to learn about their culture and lifestyle here, as well as the challenges of living alongside wildlife. At Karangoma, you can learn about how the ingenious measures being employed to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and learn about the collective measures being taken to promote conservation in the area. It is also possible to fly-camp in the village for a night of your stay at Karangoma.

A short walk from Kuidas Camp in Namibia’s Damaraland brings you to some ancient Bushman rock art that’s hidden among the rocks. Rarely visited except by guests at the camp, it’s an opportunity to view evidence of this traditional Namibian culture.

A stay at Leylandsdrift on a Skeleton Coast Safari may include a visit to a Himba settlement. Observing the traditions of these semi-nomadic people creates a unique opportunity to gain a brief insight into this traditional Namibian culture.

Okahirongo Elephant Lodge is an extremely remote lodge, in the northwest corner of Namibia. It’s only neighbour is the nearby Himba village where you can go on guided visits, and gain insights into the culture and everyday life of these semi-nomadic, desert-dwelling people.

Tamarind Village is a good base from which to explore the fascinating Swahili history, mosques and architecture of Mombasa. The old town, and the museum-monument of Fort Jesus are only a 15-minute drive away, and transport to these can be easily arranged.

Feline Fields is usually situated in a remote part of the northwestern Kalahari, where many of Botswana’s Bushmen live. This gives the lodge unprecedented access to the culturally significant areas of Xai Xai, Aha Hills and Gcwihaba Caves.

Close to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Tsodilo Hills, with their wealth of ancient rock art, the Tsodilo Hills Sleep-out Camp offers visitors interested in Botswana’s culture the opportunity to immerse themselves in the traditional culture of the Bushman people.

This lodge is in the heartland of the Laikipiak Maasai - the northern branch of the Maasai people. Local village, school and market visits can be organised as part of your activities. Ideally, it's best to book these excursions in advance.