In Tanzania, a land of superb landscapes and spectacular wildlife, another attraction stands equally tall – the people. Tanzania’s people are among the most welcoming and approachable on earth, with a range of fascinating cultures ready to be shared with visitors. From the WaChagga of the slopes of Kilimanjaro to the now world-famous Maasai, a cultural excursion or a longer stay among local people is likely to become one of the most rewarding experiences of any holiday in Tanzania.

In addition, many local areas run their own cultural programmes for visitors, bringing income directly to the community and giving the people the chance to show their lifestyle to the outside world on their own terms. Primary schools can be developed through a tour of the fascinating slopes of Mt Meru, a health clinic is improved through a guided tour of the luscious green Usambara Mountains, or a kindergarten funded by a stroll through the tropical vegetation of the Rift Valley.

Cultural tourism programmes are beneficial to everyone – the tourists get a unique, unforgettable experience, the local people generate income and improve their standard of living, and both parties gain a valuable understanding of another culture which will last long after the visitors have returned home. Most cultural tourism programmes are located near the main thoroughfares of the principal tourist destinations, making a cultural addition to a safari easy to arrange. Guides are local people born and raised in the area, well trained in their jobs and proficient in English. Cultural tours can be half-day events or incorporated into a longer safari. Whether you spend the morning in a Maasai boma or trek by camel up a local summit, stopping to learn about traditional plants and tribal stories, a cultural tour is a must-do for anyone wanting to see the rich life of the Tanzanian people. Some of Tanzania’s best-known cultural tourism destinations include.

Home to some of the last hunter-gatherers in Africa, the Hadzabe bushmen have made the area around Lake Eyasi their long-time hunting grounds. Day-trips or longer safaris with the Hadzabe bushmen give visitors a chance to experience a way of life that has long since vanished elsewhere on the planet. Morning hunts with the Hadzabe warriors, armed with bows and arrows, offer a fascinating glimpse into an ancient way of life. Honey-gathering, walks to find traditional healing plants and food, and traditional dances are all part of the Hadzabe cultural tourism experience.

Why not combine a hike up the world’s most impressive mountain with a visit to its people, the historically progressive WaChagga? See traditional and modern Chagga art, culture and homes.

See how the Maasai, among the last of the world’s pastoral peoples, are adapting to the 21st century in their own way and in their own time. Visit Engaruka, the lost city in the shadow of the Great Rift Wall, where Maasai mix irrigation, farming and traditional herding. In Mkuru, near Arusha National Park, short camel treks with local Maasai give visitors a glimpse into nomadic culture, as they climb nearby Ol Donyo Landaree.

Only minutes in any direction from bustling Arusha are spots that look and feel as they did decades ago. But everywhere, too, is transition as the WaArusha and WaMeru peoples adapt tradition to progress and science. Visitors can meet a traditional healer, learn about animal husbandry and agriculture, and buy carvings and foodstuffs from local handicraft co-operatives or women’s’ businesses.

Walk the most remote mountains of northern Tanzania with local farmers, through traditional Pare villages and dense tropical forests. From half day to three day guided hikes, this is an opportunity to step into the culture of the Pare people. Visit the Mghimbi Caves, secret hiding place during the slave raids, then proceed to Malameni Rock, the scene of human sacrifices to appease evil spirits up until the 1930s. Walk through the Ikongwe Village, believed by locals to be a gift from heaven and surrounded by mountain terraces and small waterfalls. Profits from these tours are used to subsidise much needed energy saving stoves and educational scholarships.

Africa’s Switzerland, a hiker’s paradise, with dozens of varied treks from half a day to a week. The stunning mountainous district of Lushoto was home to one of -Tanzania’s great historical kingdoms.