We Search for honey with Bushmen
Hey everyone, it's Terry here, and I have to say this is one of my favorite adventures yet. I have spent time with the Hadzabe people near Lake Eyasi in Tanzania on several trips, but I had never joined them for honey gathering until this day. This video takes you step by step through the entire experience, from meeting the group, searching the trees for wild hives, building a fire the traditional way, using smoke to calm the bees, harvesting the honey, and finally tasting what turned out to be the most incredible, sweetest honey I have ever eaten. Their excitement, unique clicking language, and pure joy make the whole thing unforgettable.
Meeting the Hadzabe and Heading Out
We start by connecting with the group in their territory near Lake Eyasi.
The Hadzabe are one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer communities in Africa.
They warmly welcome us and prepare to head into the bush in search of honey.
Searching for the Hive
Finding honey requires sharp eyes and knowledge of the landscape.
The men scan tall trees and listen for bee activity.
They climb or use natural features to locate hidden hives high up in the branches.
Making Fire the Traditional Way
No matches or lighters here—just skill and natural materials.
They create fire using friction with simple tools like a stick and a base board.
Once the fire starts, they build a small smoky blaze to carry along.
Smoking the Bees and Harvesting
This is where things get exciting and a little intense.
They use the smoke to calm or drive away the bees so they can safely approach the hive.
The men carefully open the hive and extract the honeycomb.
You can hear their animated clicking language and laughter as they work together.
There is a fun moment of playful arguing or excitement over who gets what portion.
Tasting the Fresh Honey
The payoff is worth every step.
We try the honey straight from the comb right there in the bush.
I describe it as the sweetest, richest, most succulent and viscous honey I have ever tasted—better than anything before, finger-licking good.
The flavor is pure, wild, and incredibly intense.
They carefully bottle some to take back, keeping it for later.
Wrapping Up the Adventure
The day ends with smiles, more clicking conversations, and a deep appreciation for their way of life.
The Hadzabe's harmony with nature shines through every part of this process.
It is raw, joyful, and completely authentic.