People of Ngorongoro: The Maasai

With their tall slender bodies clothed in scarlet robes and adorned with colourful beadwork, the people of Ngorongoro - the Maasai - are undoubtedly Africa's most recognisable tribe - the Hollywood celebrities of the East African plains.

These pastoral nomads have followed the same way of life for hundreds of years and have a centuries-old reputation as fearsome warriors. Maasai (also spelt Masai or Masaai) life centres on cattle, and they tend to their cattle fearlessly, even when surrounded by Africa's most dangerous predators.

The Maasai have gained grazing rights to many of the parks and reserves in both Kenya and Tanzania and they often ignore international borders as they move their vast cattle herds according to the timing of the seasons.

The Maasai enjoy a traditional way of life and actively resist cultural change. Some of the guides in the Ngorongoro Crater Conservancy are Maasai, and they will take you around the great rim of the crater to show you the landscape from their unique perspective.