ARUSHA MAASAI MUSEUM
On my list of things to visit in Arusha was the Maasai Museum! I know a lot of people would rather briefly visit villages but as mentioned previously I would rather not. ( If you do, please be mindful enough to ask before taking pictures)
The Maasai museum is quite a stretch from town so how do you get there? You have options.
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By car: around 50 USD for a round trip
Pros: quicker, safer, private /Cons: Expensive if you are on a budget
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Public transportation / Itinerary
- Dara Dara (Matatus as called in Kenya, ref. to the article on How to Get around in Nairobi).
To get to the Maasai Museum, you will need to get in town (basically downtown), take the matatu/ dara dara that goes to Monduli and tell them you are getting off at Snake Park. It will cost you 600 Tzhs from town to the museum (600 Tzshs = 25 cents)
On your way back, take another matatu/ dara dara that goes to town, it will be around 600 to 800 Tzshs
Pros: cheaper, you get to see the town, the natural landscape and locals life / Cons: slower, seats are tight, not necessarily dangerous but not the safest
OR
- Boda Boda (motorbikes), From my hostel to town, it was around 2000-3000 Tzshs so the price will vary depending on the place you are leaving from. I would recommend you to arrange a round trip price with your driver, so that he waits for you while you visit the museum. Give him the money only on your way back!
Since it was almost 4 pm and the museum was closing at 6, I had to rush and decided to take a boda-boda (my favorite ever). I discussed the price with my driver and for 10.000 Tzshs we were good for a round trip. It was a really long riiiide but a really nice one! Quicker than a dara dara and still quite cheap, I had a good deal :)
25 MINS LATER...
If you are on a short trip and stop by Arusha, the Maasai Cultural museum (locally called snake park .. don't worry you will not see snakes unless you want too) is a good place to visit if you want to learn more about Maasai
Almost there...
And I made it!
I got there all excited only to realize that because I was in a hurry I forgot to verify the accuracy of what I have been told. I mistakenly thought the entrance fee was of 10.000 Tzhs when it was actually 44.000 Tzshs (for non-residents). I was sad because I had come quite a long way just for the Museum and couldn't get in, so instead of going back I decided to wander around. They have a gallery where you can see some Maasai portraits, so I just went there.
Like always, (sociable Khady #ON), I made friends with the lady working there. Her name was Winnie so we started talking about everything (my country, my travel itinerary etc), and we eventually came to the why I was at the Museum. She told me she could help me and did something great for me !
She called one of her friends who was one of the Maasai Guides and for 10.000 Tzshs I had my guided tour and all explanations with answers to all my questions !!! I won't call it Luck but rather God's grace (whom had been covering me all over my trips because I can't explain how lucky I was and how most of my experiences went so smoothly)
My guide was very resourceful and happy to answer my questions and address my skepticism .. a little too touchy for my taste which worried me a little bit since the museum is Light sensor monitored so pretty dark ..
Here is my guide , get rid of your ethnocentrism and let's learn!