What is the difference between nomads and hunter-gatherers of ancient times? Nomads were the earliest humans from Africa, while hunter-gatherers developed during the Neolithic era. Nomads were people who moved in search of food, while hunter-gatherers got food by gathering wild food sources and hunting. Nomads were the first people to migrate out of Africa to search for food, while hunter-gatherers never left Africa. Nomads moved when they needed food, while hunter-gatherers moved daily as they hunted and gathered.