Zohar African Safaris Offers Guests Cultural Immersion, Adventures and Sustainable Tourism Options

LANCASTER, Pa. - May 7, 2015 - PRLog -- Zohar African Safaris (ZAS), specialists in custom designed wildlife safaris in East Africa, is now offering travelers a wide range of immersive cultural, adventure, and other experiences that take them beyond the standard “jeep tours” to experience the true “heart of the jungle.” Travelers can choose from a wide range of options in three basic categories:  Cultural Interaction withIndigenous Peoples; High and Low Impact Adventure Activities; and Sustainable Tourism. Any option can be incorporated into a custom designed wildlife viewing safari that allows travelers to be more than observers but also participants in helping to support and preserve the “incredible ecosystem that is the African continent,” according to Zohar.

Interaction with Indigenous Peoples

Through carefully built relationships with ancient tribal communities living deep in the African bush, ZAS has established connections with various communities who warmly welcome ZAS guests to their homes. Their customized tours offer interactive encounters with the Maasai, who are pastoral herders, the Hadzabe Bushmen, a tribe of hunters/gatherers, and the Datoga, whose roots are agricultural.

Guests can participate in simple daily activities that are also rich in cultural significance.  These include collecting sticks and gathering wood for the dinner campfire, collecting honey while foraging in the bush, helping to carry water from nearby water sources and with food preparation, weaving clothes from animal skins, and even hunting for game in the bush with the Hadzabe Bushmen using bows and arrows.  Other options include having private meetings with tribal chiefs and leaders who will explain their ancient belief systems, and talk about the problems they are facing that threaten their physical and cultural survival.

High and Low Impact Adventure Activities

Travelers who enjoy moderate to challenging physical activities can also add a variety of low or high impact recreational activities to their safari itinerary. High Impact options include: mountain climbing on Mt. Kilimanjaro and/or Mt Meru; hiking into the ancient, inactive volcanic craters in the Ngorongoro Highlands; and a 3-night Bush Hiketo Lake Natron in the Rift Valley.

Walking safaris, biking, canoeing and visiting rural African markets in the Lake Manyara and culturally rich Mto Wa Mbu area are among the variety of more moderate adventure activities that can be included in customized safari itineraries.

“Survival of the wildlife as well as respect for the indigenous people who call these regions their home are a very important part of our customized itineraries,” said Dr. Ken Firestone, co-founder and managing director for the U.S. and Global Markets, Zohar African Safaris.

ZAS is headquartered in Arusha, Tanzania, where safari operations are overseen by the company’s co-founder and owner, Lilian Maximillian. The company’s U.S. office is located in Lancaster Pennsylvania. For details on all packages and services, visit www.zoharafricansafaris.com. Reservations and bookings can be made online or through ZAS’ U.S. office. Call toll-free 1-800-448-4023, or e-mail sales@zoharafricansafaris.com

Zohar African Safaris is licensed by Tanzania Certificate of Incorporation No. 106592 and a member of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO).