Immerse yourself in the animal kingdom on this eight-day trip through Kenya. Veer off the beaten track to seek out elephants, hippos, leopards and lions against the impressive backdrop of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha. Then, staying in the world-famous Masai Mara, deepen your understanding of Kenyan culture by experiencing tribal life in Loita Hills as you’re welcomed into the homes of the Maasai warriors and their proud village community. Take early morning game drives, optional hot air balloon rides and join a cooking class to learn how to make some traditional fare. Join this perspective-shifting journey of unforgettable moments and memorable wildlife encounters.
Travel Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi Start Point
Nairobi, Kenya Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your trip begins in Nairobi with a welcome meeting upon your arrival. If you arrive with time to spare, consider getting to know the city on an Urban Adventure like the ‘Nairobi Experience’. This optional 4-hour tour is a great way to get a feel for Nairobi and includes lunch at a local restaurant. After the meeting, maybe join your new travel companions for an optional group dinner and get to know each other better.
Day 2: Lake Nakuru National Park
Drive north-west past splendid views of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha and Elementaita to Lake Nakuru National Park. Situated in the heart of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru National Park is a great location for spotting wildlife, which you’ll get a chance to do on an early morning game drive tomorrow. For now, head to a nearby village with your leader. This is a fantastic opportunity to interact with the local folk and get a feel for everyday life here. Take a cooking class and return later in the evening to share the results for dinner.
Day 3: Lake Naivasha
Wake early for a light breakfast this morning and head into the Lake Nakuru National Park for a game drive in the safari vehicle. Lake Nakuru is home to rhinos, and there will be a good chance of spotting and photographing one of these magnificent beasts. Return to camp for lunch, then drive to Lake Naivasha. One of the few freshwater lakes in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha has floating islands of papyrus reeds and a border of flat-topped acacias. It's also home to a healthy population of hippos and a huge variety of birds.
Day 4: Lake Naivasha
Today, you’ll head out for a boat trip across Lake Naivasha – the best way to take in the atmosphere of this lush area. With your experienced guide, look out for the numerous hippo that live here, as well as kingfishers, fish eagles, herons, giraffes, zebras and waterbucks. Set against a backdrop of the Eburru volcanic mountain range and lined by acacia trees, this lake is one of the most renowned in the area. After, you have a free day to choose from a variety of optional activities. Maybe opt for a trip to Hell's Gate National Park, which boasts beautiful cliffs, gorges, rock towers, volcanoes and a range of geothermal phenomena, or hire a bike for the day and make some of your own discoveries, venturing beyond the cacti and olive trees.
Day 5: Loita Hills Maasai Village
Depart Lake Naivasha, making a short stop in Narok for food shopping. Continue to Loita Hills, home of the Maasai people, stopping for lunch on the way. You’ll be camping at Tepesua Village, which is known for championing Maasai women’s health and education. When you arrive, be welcomed by traditional Maasai warrior song and dance, then your host will explain the details of Maasai warrior training. Take a walk to the community village, founded to alleviate the poverty of Maasai widows, who traditionally are not allowed to inherit property. The village offers support, safety and economic growth through the Tepesua Widows Income Project. Spend the evening around a campfire and learn more about their age-old culture and traditions as you share stories with Maasai warriors into the night.
Day 6: Masai Mara National Reserve
Today, you’ll travel from Loita Hills to Masai Mara. Most of the road there is tarmacked, but the final 5 km is dusty when dry and muddy when wet. The Masai Mara, with its sparse open plains, dramatic skies and some of the world's most tremendous animals, is the quintessential African experience. After checking in the park go for a game drive through the wilderness of the Mara, looking out for all your wildlife favourites form the Lion King – think wildebeest, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, elephants and rhino.
Day 7: Masai Mara National Reserve
This morning, maybe take an optional balloon ride over the Mara at sunrise. If you’ve prebooked this activity, you’ll be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site for a safety briefing from your pilot. You’ll then glide through the skies, sometimes at tree height, for some amazing photo opportunities. After landing, you'll be treated to a bush breakfast before meeting up with the rest of the group. Today you’ll venture into the Masai Mara National Reserve with expert local driver guides for a full day game drive. You'll explore this diverse environment and most likely see a multitude of wildlife.
Day 8: Nairobi End Point Nairobi, Kenya
Say goodbye to the open expanses of the African bush and return to the bustling metropolis of Nairobi. When you arrive, you'll be dropped at a centrally located hotel and you’re free to leave at any time.
Included:
- Accommodation as described (or similar)
- Meals as described by B (Buffet Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner)
- 1-litre bottled mineral water per person per day whilst on safari
- Transportation by specially equipped 7-seater Non-Air-conditioned safari Land cruiser vehicle
- Services of a professional Masai Cum Driver English-speaking guide
- Game drives, sightseeing and excursions as described in the itinerary, inclusive of applicable entrance fees
- Applicable local and government taxes on accommodation and transportation
- Temporary membership to Emergency Medical Evacuation Service Whilst on safari
- Round trip airport transfers
- Lake Naivasha Boat Ride
Excluded
- Meals not described in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities to driver/guide; hotel/camp and restaurant staff; room service etc
- Travel Insurance
- Items of a personal nature i.e., telephone/internet usage, laundry, bottled water and other -alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, etc
- Any optional tours or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary
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Picture Source: Blueberry Travel -
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Lufthansa City Center