Masai Boma

The Masai Bomas are located near the Southern Serengeti (Ngorongoro Conservation Area) / Olduvai Gorge. They are located just a few minutes off the main road that links the Serengeti with the Ngorongoro Crater. A visit can easily be included into any safari itinerary. Many tribes have moved through the Serengeti area over the last several million years.

The Masai came to Serengeti just recently, about 150 years ago. The Masai fought and ousted the Datoga tribe who most likely pushed out earlier people off the plains.

Masai Bomas, from the air, look like bull's-eyes. “Boma” can refer either to the settlement as a whole or to the thick fence of acacia branches that forms its outer circle. Such a fence comes with its own barbed wire: very sharp thorns. The thorns are long and hard and they keep the branches of acacia tress together making the structure intimidating enough to resist most lions, elephants and enemies. The fence protects a ring of earth-colored houses, each built by a different woman. The bull's eye of the boma is a cage for livestock.

Traditionally, the Masai are a nomadic people, traveling in extended family units, living off the land, or more specifically, living off their livestock. They go where they need to go to keep their cattle and goats healthy. The Masai’s diet consists almost entirely of milk, blood, and meat from their livestock.

Visiting a Masai tribe will give you a great opportunity to learn first-hand, about the proud Masai culture.

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