The Original Maasai Lodge is a very special lodge, ideal if you are looking for an exclusive and different place, but that at the same time dedicates all its profits to social projects. Located in front of Kilimanjaro, and in the middle of the Maasai area, the Original Maasai Lodge is a group of“bomas” created by Maasai women with a mixture of mud, water and animal dung. As you can see in the pictures, they are beautiful and although you can’t see it, I promise you that they don’t smell :).
So, if we want to sleep in a Maasai hut, with European comforts, and helping the community, the Original Maasai Lodge is probably the only option in the world.
Spóiler ALERT: if we are very adventurous and want to sleep in an authentic boma with a Maasai family and without the above mentioned comforts, read on.
A bit of history
The Original Masai Lodge was built so that the NGO ‘s sponsors could stay close to the projects.
It was built, as the Maasai culture dictates, by the Maasai women, who were in charge of building and maintaining the bomas.
After a while, and seeing the possibilities it had, they decided to turn it into an eco-lodge where any tourist could stay. In this way, besides accommodating the NGO’s sponsors, it would serve to give stable work to the Maasai and to finance the same projects that the NGO has: schools, orphanage, medical center, water wells, etc.
Now, fortunately, we can stay at the Original Maasai Lodge without having to make a donation, and knowing that we will be collaborating in the development of the Maasai community. collaborating in the development of the Maasai community.
Who manages the Lodge and where the tourist’s money goes
The Lodge is managed by the Maasai community that lives in these lands. They are the center and the ones who make all the day to day decisions.
The lodge is owned by the NGO with which we collaborate and which is responsible for allocating the benefits of tourism to community development programs such as training or the medical center, among many other projects.
Sustainability at the Original Maasai Lodge
Another key aspect of the Original Maasai Lodge is its sustainability.
Electricity is generated by solar panels, and each boma has its own solar panel, which is responsible for providing electricity inside the boma and heating the shower water.
They do not use plastic, in fact they are forbidden, and if the tourist brings a plastic, you will have to take it home with you.
The food is local and of proximity. They have a garden where they grow their fresh vegetables that they use to cook for us. The cuisine offered to the traveler is a mix between international and local cuisine (Swahili and Maasai).
What are the rooms and facilities like at the Original Maasai Lodge?
As I mentioned before, the lodge has several bungalows where each couple or family stays in one.
Between them there is a lot of separation and total privacy .
Activities included in Original Maasai Lodge
If we stay at the lodge, we will be on full board basis and every day we will have a series of free activities included in the price:
- We will have a Maasai guide for ourselves.
- Morning excursion on foot to get to know the environment and nature with your Maasai guide. They will explain which plants are used for cooking or medical purposes.
- Masai dance with sunset.
- Masái TV: it’s all about getting together around a campfire sharing stories and with a glass of wine or beer in hand.
- Spear Shooting. The Masai are excellent hunters, and in this class they will teach us how they hunt with their long spears.
- Visit the NGO’s Permaculture farm where they grow medicinal plants for later treatment of patients at the medical center.
- Activities for our children
- Visit NGO projects.
Other activities that can be done at the Original Maasai Lodge.
Being a masai for a day
For us, the star activity is to visit Maasai families, who live around the Original Maasai Lodge, and who are not used to receiving tourists on a daily basis. As happens in many Maasai settlements where they receive dozens of tourists daily.
There are many possibilities, from a quick visit to some nearby bomas, or go further and visit families even further away from the tourist circuits. In both cases we will walk, although there is the possibility of going by car.
If we want, we can even dress like them and cross the savannah until we reach our destination. Once there, the family, with the help of a Maasai guide from the Original Maasai Lodge, will explain to us how they live and what their daily life is like. Most probably we will talk with the women and with some Maasai elders, as the younger men are often out grazing.
In the evening, with the whole family together, we can have dinner with them around a bonfire that will serve to make a grilled sheep, and a delicious broth.
We will see the stars, share a meal with them, and once finished, we will decide whether to return to the lodge or stay and sleep with them. Sleeping with them is for the more adventurous, as we will sleep in their house, on top of a wooden structure with an animal skin that separates our body from the bed. As you can see, there are no luxuries here.
If we decide to return to the lodge, we can still eat some dinner if we are hungry.
Attending a mass
The Maasai still believe in their traditional gods, but Christianity has blended with their tradition and visiting a Maasai church is an authentic experience. Listen to their songs and meet with them after the ceremony.
Climbing Mount Mukuru
Mount Mukuru is a pyramidal hill at the foothills of Mount Meru and is totally off the beaten tourist track. In fact, it cannot be climbed, except if we go through the NGO, because thanks to the help given by the NGO to the local communities, it is allowed to climb a site that is considered sacred. The views from the top are breathtaking!
Visit a local market
There are several masai markets where women sell their products and men sell their livestock. They are held one day a week, but there are several a week that you can visit. Each one has a special atmosphere and you can see 100% local activity.
And other activities such as cycling.
Price of staying at the Masai Lodge
The fact that it is an accommodation owned by the NGO does not mean that it is economical, quite the contrary.
Prices to sleep at Original Maasai Lodge are around 225 euros per person per night on full board basis. It is ideal for a luxury, but sustainable and positive impact, if you are on a honeymoon in Tanzania.
If you would like to spend a night at Original Maasai Lodge, leave us a message in this post or write us an email or whatsapp.
Trips including safari plus stay at the Original Maasai Lodge
If you want to travel to Tanzania for a safari and do not want to miss the opportunity to stay at the Original Maasai Lodge, we invite you to take a look at our trips in Tanzania:
- Solidarity Safari and experiential tourism with Maasai in Tanzania
- 15 days trip in Tanzania and Zanzibar: includes visit to the NGO’s projects, 5 days safari, 2 nights at the Original Maasai Lodge and a few days at the beach in Zanzibar.
- Solidarity and immersive trip in Tanzania – 10 days
- Positive Impact Tourism in Tanzania – 11 days
These are just a few ideas, if you want a customized trip adapted to your interests, do not hesitate to contact us.
Other articles on Tanzania or Kenya:
- Seeing the Great Migration in Kenya: An Unforgettable Natural Spectacle
- TRIP TO HELP, WINNER OF THE AFRICA WTM RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARDS
- Our visit to Lake Natron in Tanzania
- How much does a Kenya Safari Cost?
- Original Maasai Lodge: An example of sustainable lodging
- How to make a sustainable trip to Kenya: Tips & Tricks
- Sustainable Safari in Tanzania
- Money in Kenya: tips and tricks
- Money in Tanzania: practical tips for traveling to Tanzania
- What is the best time to travel to Kenya?
- Going on a Safari with Kids: Is It Recommended?
- Kenya or Tanzania Where is the best safari?