The large car and its driver are completely at our disposal. We even have our own cook, who accompanies us after the first evening.

We saw the first Maasai in Tengeru and Arusha. Now we are on our way to Tarangire National Park. The land of the Maasai is huge. The tribes are scattered all over Tanzania and Kenya. They can also be found in Tarangire and Serengeti National Parks.

From the road we can see many Maasai, whose lives are in stark contrast to our luxury. The people wear colorful blankets around their bodies and look after cows or goats.

Maasai gather with their herds at a waterhole. It is the dry season and there are not many water sources.

The Maasai look at us grimly. Children call out to us demanding that we give them money.

The day in Tangarire National Park is still etched in our minds. The next morning we set off on a long journey north to reach Lake Natron. To do this we drive for many hours on a bumpy track through the land of the Maasai.

I notice the Maasai villages. They are always a few circular huts made of straw and clay. Each village is surrounded by thorny bushes. Sometimes several of these tiny villages are located right next to each other.

We see many Maasai on the way. Their bright red togas can be seen from a great distance. Children herd goats, adults herd cows and women travel in groups from A to B. The children wave and beg for money and food.

The men ignore us. The women want to sell us jewelry or throw stones at us. Sometimes we see a child running through the steppe all alone, even though there are large predators here.

We drive for a long time through a valley with steep walls until we finally reach the top of the plateau. On the way we see many Maasai with their herds. Gabriel explains to us that even today many Maasai are nomads and wander.

However, they still have a permanent place to stay, because the children should be able to go to school. In fact, we only see herds with men or women together. We only see children with goats.

The landscape becomes more and more exciting. Like giant molehills, countless volcanic craters rise up from nowhere and collect the clouds around them.

In the distance we see a lonely shepherd walking with his flock through the barren landscape.

Gabriel drives the Landcruiser to the edge of an impressive, deep crater in the landscape. We don’t see any tourists here except us, but this place still seems to be a meeting point for visitors, because a group of Maasai women and children are already waiting for muzungus like us.

While we admire the crater, the Maasai approach us and try to sell us their jewelry or carved figures.

It is an educational journey. Finally we reach our destination, near a lodge that seems like an oasis in the middle of the desert and between the mud huts of the Maasai.

There, grass grows between lush trees, there is a pool, irrigation and a pavilion overlooking the valley, in front of which little Maasai children beg for food.

We set up our tents before a Maasai man named Matis introduces himself to us. He is our guide for this area. He knows the Maasai here because he is from here but studied in Dar es Salaam. The children bow to him and he puts his hand on their heads – the gesture between older and younger.

With Matis we explore Lake Natron and climb together to a nearby waterfall. He tells us a lot about the culture and the challenge of keeping the Maasai nomads in one place, as well as promoting access to education and the preservation of their culture.