Monduli Juu is a scenic, highland area near Monduli town in northern Tanzania, known for its stunning landscapes, Maasai culture, and hiking opportunities. It is part of the Monduli Mountains, located about 50 km from Arusha.
The area is home to traditional Maasai communities, offering an authentic cultural experience, including visits to bomas (homesteads), learning about Maasai traditions, and experiencing their warrior training rituals.
I passed by many Maasai bomas in the Ngorongoro area, but all had rather negative reviews as not being very authentic. Therefore, I was looking for a better experience, and the Monduli Juu Bush Maasai Experience seemed to offer what I wanted. I contacted them on WhatsApp and was advised to come over on Saturday as then we would have the chance to have a look at the traditional Maasai Market.
Maasai Tribe
The Maasai are one of the most well-known ethnic groups in Tanzania, recognized for their distinctive dress, semi-nomadic lifestyle, and deep-rooted traditions. They primarily live in northern Tanzania and southern Kenya, inhabiting areas like the Ngorongoro and Monduli. Their culture is built around livestock, community, and spiritual beliefs that have been passed down for generations.
Livelihood and Economy
The Maasai are traditionally pastoralists, relying on cattle, goats, and sheep for food, trade, and status. Cattle are central to their way of life, providing milk, blood, and meat, though in modern times, many Maasai also engage in small-scale farming and tourism-related activities.
Social Structure and Community Life
Maasai society is highly communal, with an emphasis on age-set systems that determine roles and responsibilities. Young boys begin as herders, while young men undergo initiation ceremonies to become warriors. Elders hold the most respected positions, guiding the community in decision-making and traditional knowledge.
Dress and Adornment
Maasai clothing is colorful and symbolic. Men often wear shúkàs (a red or blue cloth wrapped around the body), while women adorn themselves with intricate beadwork, earrings, and necklaces that indicate age, marital status, and social rank. Bead colors have different meanings – red symbolizes bravery, blue represents the sky, and white signifies purity.
Language and Oral Traditions
The Maasai speak Maa, a Nilotic language, but many also speak Swahili and English due to interactions with other communities and tourism. Their history, values, and lessons are passed down through oral storytelling, songs, and proverbs rather than written records.
Spiritual Beliefs and Rituals
The Maasai believe in a supreme god, Enkai (or Engai), who controls rain and fertility. Rituals and ceremonies, such as Eunoto (warrior initiation) and Enkipaata (boyhood initiation), are essential in transitioning through life stages. The jumping dance (Adumu), performed during celebrations, is one of their most famous traditions.
Challenges and Modern Adaptations
While the Maasai have maintained their traditions, modernization, land disputes, and climate change have influenced their way of life. Some Maasai have adapted by engaging in education, conservation work, and tourism while still preserving their cultural identity.
How to get there?
By Road
Take a dala dala (minibus) or shared car from Arusha to Monduli (about 1 hour). When you arrive at the bus stand, find a motorbike (boda boda) driver or another shared car that will take you further to Monduli Juu.
The best time to visit
Dry Season (June to October – Best for Safaris & Hiking)
Little to no rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking in the Monduli Mountains and visiting Arusha National Park. Wildlife is easier to spot due to spthe arse vegetation. Cooler temperatures, especially in the mornings and evenings.
Short Rainy Season (November to December – Green Landscapes)
Short rains bring lush scenery, which is great for photography. Wildlife is still visible, but roads might be muddy.
Long Rainy Season (March to May – Least Recommended)
Heavy rains can make some roads difficult to navigate. Higher chances of cloud cover and reduced visibility.
Day trip to Monduli Juu
I took a morning dala dala to Monduli town, and I was squeezed to the limits with 4 people sitting on the seat for 3. I paid 2.000 TZS. Once I arrived in the town, I jumped on a boda boda heading towards Monduli Juu (10.000 TZS).
We were riding on an unpaved road, and at some point, a police patrol stopped us. Suddenly, out of nowhere, my guide, whom I was supposed to meet at the red market, appeared. His name was Nathaniel, and he said that we were going the wrong way. He brought his motorbike, and we continued the journey together. At this time of the day, the market was almost empty, so we just went for a short walk and then set off to the Maasai Boma.
We had a look inside a few houses, but women were cooking inside, and it was hard to breathe as the interiors were full of smoke. Anyway, I could see how they live and sleep and I must say: WOW. No running water, just sleeping on the ground or some improvised wooden bed with a cow’s skin on top. Maasai can have several wives, so inside the boma, there are houses in the circular layout and inside each of them lives one wife. Sometimes, the man goes out for a few weeks to walk with livestock and women stay, taking care of the houses and kids.
There were lots of children, and they were very curious, following me and Nathaniel closely.
From the boma, we continued to the Monduli Juu Camp, where we started our walk to the viewpoint. On the way, we even managed to see some giraffes, so it felt like we were on a walking safari! A very nice experience! The view was cool, and we could see the impressive Rift Valley.
Then, we walked to the praying tree. According to local people, it has special powers, and they put stones on its branches, hoping for their dreams to come true. So did I.
Finally, we came back to the market, which was already in full swing. Plenty of perfect photo opportunities, although the people selling goats didn’t like the fact that I was walking around with a camera. My guide told me not to worry as those were the Maasai from Dar es Salaam, who aren’t as friendly and open as the local people.
We went on the other side of the road to see other stalls, and the atmosphere was fantastic. People were selling fruits and veggies, shoes, food, and plenty of other things. I managed to take some shots, although I was observed by everyone. The guide helped me a bit by distracting people with conversation and drawing away their attention.
In general, I didn’t get as many nice photos as I was hoping for, but still, it was a nice place to visit. We jumped on the motorbike and Nathaniel took me back to Monduli town. The weather was getting worse, and there was even a short drizzle on the way. In town, I caught dala dala heading back to Arusha.
Costs
According to the official brochure, a day trip to Monduli, including all activities (visit in a traditional boma, hike to the viewpoint and to the Lion Tree to make a wish, meeting a traditional healer, Maasai dance, picnic lunch and optional visit to the Saturday market), costs 120 USD for 1st person (without transport) and then 40 USD extra for every additional visitor. If you are not interested, you can resign from some activities and re-negotiate the price accordingly.
The market can be reached independently at minimal cost, but the presence of the guide helped a lot with taking pictures and the visit to the traditional boma and the hike were worth too. Here are some contact details:
Monduli Juu Bush Camp: +255 765 799 486
Nathaniel (guide): +255 713 758737
