SafariSmiths Travel’s co-founder and former ranger Kyle Smith writes about his honey-gathering experience with the Hadzabe tribe, an indigenous, nomadic ethnic group in Tanzania.
Jen poses with the honey gatherers of the Hadzabe Tribe in Tanzania, photo credit: Kyle Smith, SafariSmiths Travel
For most people, a safari in Africa conjures up pictures of fantastic wildlife encounters and majestic scenery. And that is one thrilling aspect. But I am here to tell you of an equally memorable experience that should not be missed: the cultural experience.
Africa is full of a wide variety of vibrant and diverse cultures. In the Mwiba Concession, which is just south of the Serengeti and near the Great Rift Valley Wall in Tanzania, one finds an ancient hunter-gather bush tribe called the Hadzabe. This tribe still lives off what the land can provide them on a day-to-day basis. They spend much of their days roaming the concession looking for herbs, plants, and honey.
Our group walking to meet the Hadza tribe. Photo credit: Kyle Smith, SafariSmiths Travel
On location in Tanzania, we added to our safari itinerary by walking with the Hadzabe tribe as they searched for honey. As a former ranger in South Africa, I love to get out and walk in the bush. The sounds of the birds calling, the smells and the familiarity of the vegetation made me feel peaceful. I was very excited for this opportunity.
We met our walking guide at the top of a knoll. Once he gave the small group some ground rules and information, we set out to find the tribe. (As you might imagine, they do not tailor to anyone’s particular schedule.) It didn't take long to catch up with the tribe, and we followed along for a while, enjoying the scenery and learning about the vegetation from our guide.
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The Hadzabe men starting a fire. Photo credit: Kyle Smith, SafariSmiths Travel
Soon we heard the call of the Greater Honeyguide – appropriately named, this particular bird leads hunters to wild beehives found in the trunks of the trees. This Greater Honeyguide was leading the Hadza to a tree. (The Greater Honeyguide and some tribes like the Hadza have what scientists call mutualistic interactions, and it’s fascinating!)
At the base of the suspected tree, we watched as the men of the tribe rubbed a stick onto a piece of wood to create fire. With an axe, they cut into the bark at the base of the tree and put some burning embers in the hole to smoke out the bees. After a bit of time – not enough if you ask me – one of the men stuck his hand into the hole to feel around for the honeycomb. The smoke had done its job, and the bees were gone just in time.
Cutting into the tree trunk. Photo credit: Kyle Smith, SafariSmiths Travel
They repeated this process at three different trees. Not all of them had honeycomb with honey. But at the ones that did, the honey was shared equally among everyone in our group, a great privilege. That honey was one of the most incredible tasting treats that I have ever had in my life.
Waiting for the bees to clear. Photo credit: Kyle Smith, SafariSmiths Travel
By this time, the Hadzabe were relaxed with our small face-mask-wearing group. They were curious about my camera and where I came from. They loved having their photos taken and laughed when I showed them the pictures.
The Hadza were not as alarmed to stick their hands into burning trees as I was watching them. Photo credit: Kyle Smith, SafariSmiths Travel
At the end of the walk they laughed even more and when I gave them all a buff as a thank you for allowing us to spend time with them. They had no experience with a buff and one of the elder men put it over his head covering his eyes, making the whole group laugh. The Hadza operate within their own and neighboring communities by trade and do not use any form of currency, so bringing an item that can be useful to them is much appreciated.
Jen and I got to taste some of the smoked honey directly from the tree. Photo credit: Kyle Smith, SafariSmiths Travel
This cultural experience was so worth it. I felt connected to nature and these other humans in a totally new way – a safari vehicle can only get you so far. I learned so much from my walking guide as he explained the plants, bushes, and trees we saw on our walk, and how the Hadza use the resources provided to them by the earth. During our walk, I was also able to see elephants, giraffes, and buffalo, reminding me how wild the bush really is.
Kyle photographs some Hadza women. Photo credit: Jen Markus
I'd love to hear what cultural experiences you might have had in Africa and what your experience was. Leave a comment below, or send them my way on Instagram.
If you are interested in joining one of these adventures, reach out via email or DM! I’d be happy to speak with you about the many incredible tours and excursions that can be added to a safari itinerary.
Follow Kyle’s photography and DM him on Instagram at @kylesafarismith.