Anyone visit a masai boma?I would love to see how they live but is it a rip-off?Money is not a consideration but i have misgivings about fostering a begging mentality.is it tacky tourism or do these visits benefit the people?
1
orion_mike
Ron - I have not been to the Massai Boma's in TZ - I have been to two in Kenya - one in Samburu and the other in the Masai Mara. While they were 'interesting' they were the biggest rip-off. The Samburu 'visit' donation was $30 US and in the Mara it was $20 or $25. On top of this we were 'expected' to buy another $20-30 from their display shops. Best of luck.
Orion_Mike
2
walktheearth
It's pretty lame in my opinion. I paid $50 to the chief. He gathers all the people and they begin dancing. Then I go to the "school" and wow! the kids start singing as I approach and writing letters on the blackboard. And then lookee... jewelry is hanging all over the place for purchase. And another toursit party came after me... they gathered and started dancing again. I was embarassed. But that being said, the money goes to these people, so it is helping them for sure. But I wouldn't recommend it.
3
cresti
I had the same exact experience as walktheearth. $50 per person for a all around visit of the little village and the school... and everybody waiting for me to purchase something (which I did, frankly, because I really loved their design). Worth the cost? well, I am happy I did it for the "experience", but don't expect anything "authentic".
4
susankim
My group of six visited one near the Ngorongoro Crater. We only paid $10 each. I thought it was worth the money. We got to see inside their mud huts, and their schoolhouse. And we were allowed to take unlimited photos & video. We didn't end up buying any jewellery because they didn't want to haggle.
5
ultimatekilimanjaro
The boma visit experience is a bit contrived. Think of it as a performance - the dancing, the school visit, the inside of a hut, with a tour guide, followed by the gift shop. But I wouldn't go as far as to say that the experience is fake, because it's not like the Masai change into jeans and watch television after all the visitors have left. The village would be there whether or not any cars stopped there.
It is reasonable for them to charge money for tourists to visit. Can you imagine if strangers kept stopping by your house to take photos? But $50 per person, the typical cost, is steep. You can try to bargain, as susankim did, and do better.
7
susankim
Sorry Cresti that you got charged extra. Who knows, maybe they put on a better performance for you? As we were leaving another 4x4 pulled up with four tourists. My friends thought that the dance they did for the group after us was more energetic...
Or maybe it was because there were six of us (6x $10 =$60).
In any case, I just enjoyed photographing all the little Maasai kids. I think they are SO CUTE!!! (even with all the flies on their faces).
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner
trusted partner