Tour Detail
Exchange the bustling streets of Kenya’s capital for the wild calls of flamingos, zebras, and rhinos on a journey from Nairobi to Masai Mara. Experience camping under the stars with the majestic Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha as your backdrop. Venture across the savannah in pursuit of Africa’s grand wildlife like lions, cheetahs, and elephants. Engage with the Maasai people, gaining insights into their intriguing tribal traditions. Observe conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding these magnificent animals from harm and extinction.
Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi
Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5pm. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can’t arrange a flight that will arrive in time for this, consider arriving a day early so you are able to attend. If you are going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We’ll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have these to give to your leader.
If you arrive early, perhaps head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya where traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes are displayed at an outdoor village.
Notes: Petty theft is common in Nairobi. As a general rule, the safest place for your valuables is on your person in a neck wallet or money belt. Your hotel room or reception may also have a safe in which to store things. If you do decide to go exploring, make sure you get local advice on where it is and isn’t safe to walk – particularly for later in the day. Be careful not to leave bags unattended on chairs or the floor when you’re in a bar or restaurant. Without being paranoid, appearing vigilant is a great deterrence to would-be thieves. Also, make scans of important travel documents and email them to yourself – this will save you hours of time in paperwork if anything does happen.
Accommodation
Heron Court Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Day 2: Lake Nakuru
Today will be a long day of adventuring. After breakfast, you will visit Langata Giraffe Sanctuary. This conservation project allows you to see the animals up close while learning more about them and their plight in the modern world.
After lunch, head out of Nairobi towards Lake Nakuru (approximately 4-5 hours), arriving in time to pitch a tent at the campsite before the sun goes down.
The alkaline waters of Lake Nakuru once supported an extremely large colony of flamingos – estimated to be up to two million strong! Over the course of the year the lake changes size considerably, shrinking to its smallest in March at the end of the dry season, and changing the type of birdlife and wildlife that inhabit the area. Unfortunately changes in water levels and chemical concentration caused the permanent population of flamingos to move elsewhere in the 1970s, however the lush area around the lake remains known for its bird life.
Accommodation
Nakuru Camp site (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Nairobi – Langata Giraffe Sanctuary
Day 3: Lake Naivasha
Head out on an early morning game drive around Lake Nakuru. Keep a lookout for the white rhinos that can often be found around the shores.
Afterwards, encounter friendly locals on a village visit before moving on to Lake Naivasha (approx: 2-3 hour drive). Lake Naivasha is a birdwatcher’s paradise with floating islands of papyrus reeds. Afternoon wind and storms can cause the lake to become suddenly rough and produce high waves. For this reason, the local Maasai christened the lake Nai’posha meaning ‘rough water’, which the British later misspelt as Naivasha.
There is an option to hire a bike and pedal around the lake this afternoon if you wish to stretch your legs after the drive.
Accommodation
Fish Eagle Inn (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Lake Nakuru – Village walk
Lake Nakuru – Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Add on activities
Lake Naivasha – Bike hire – USD12
Day 4: Lake Naivasha
After a camp breakfast, head towards Crater Lake and take part in a guided walk along one of the many trails. The waters of the lake draw a great range of game. Giraffes wander among the acacia, buffaloes wallow in the swamps and Colobus monkeys call from the treetops, while the lake’s large hippo population while away the day in the shallows. The walk takes 3 hours and we recommend you bring with you good sturdy foot wear. It is an easy walk. We will also hit the water for a boat ride across this vast lake.
The afternoon is free to relax around the camp and take advantage of the swimming pool.
Accommodation
Fish Eagle Inn (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Lake Naivasha – Game Walk in Crater Lake Game Sanctuary (entrance fee)
Add on activities
Lake Naivasha – Hell’s Gate NP (Game Drive) – USD40
Lake Naivasha – Boat trip – KES4000
Special information
The Crater Lake game walk and Hell’s Gate National Park will also incur a USD50 transport fee per vehicle. The boat trip is for one hour and no additional fees are required.
Day 5: Great Rift Valley and Loita Hills
Depart Lake Naivasha, making a short stop in Narok to do a spot of food shopping. Continue to Loita Hills (approximately 5-6 hours), stopping for lunch en route. Today’s drive crosses the Great Rift Valley, Africa’s immense and spectacular great divide, and takes you into the remote region of Loita Hills. This is the home of the traditional Maasai people. Visit the Maasai, who are known for their vibrant red dress and elaborate jewellery, and gain an insight into the culture and ancient ways of this proud East African community. After setting up your tent, meet your Maasai hosts. A local elder will deliver a fascinating talk about the Maasai and their history and culture. You’ll be shown around a traditional Maasai home and see where the resident cattle are kept. Showers, upgrades and WiFi are not available at tonight’s bush camp.
Accommodation
Loita Hills Campsite (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Loita Hills – Cultural talk and village visit
Loita Hills – Maasai Village Visit
Day 6: Masai Mara
Travel from Loita to Masai Mara (approximately 1-2 hours). The road is dusty when dry, and could be slippery and soft when wet, so the going may be slow. The Masai Mara is the quintessential African experience, with sparse open plains, dramatic skies and some of the world’s most tremendous animals. After setting up camp, sit down to some lunch, then travel in our 4×4 for a 3 hour game drive through the wilderness of the Mara.
Your campground tonight is located outside of the national reserve and has flush toilets and showers. There is an option to upgrade, depending on availability. WiFi is not available here.
Accommodation
Mara Springs Camp (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Masai Mara – 4×4 Game Drive
Day 7: Masai Mara
Rise early and venture into the Masai Mara National Reserve for a full day of game driving (6hours). Explore this diverse environment and see a multitude of wildlife. Return to camp for lunch by the side of the Mara River – a great chance to spot crocs and hippos. Relax during the heat of the day before setting off again in the afternoon, expecting to return to camp around sunset. We’ll stop en-route for a picnic lunch.
Accommodation
Mara Springs Camp (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Masai Mara – 4×4 Game Drive
Day 8: Nairobi
Cross the plains of the Mara and climb the Rift Valley’s eastern wall past Mount Suswa on the return drive to Nairobi (approximately 6 hours). En route there may be opportunities to stop and make some final purchases. Once back in Nairobi perhaps enjoy a final dinner with the group in a local restaurant and reflect on this incredible African adventure.
If you’re flying out today, please book a flight after 6:00pm.
Meals
Breakfast
Inclusions
Meals
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Transport
Overland truck, 4 x 4 safari vehicle
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night), Cottage (2 nights), Camping with facilities (4 nights)
Activities
Nairobi – Langata Giraffe Sanctuary
Lake Nakuru – Village walk
Lake Nakuru – Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Lake Naivasha – Game Walk in Crater Lake Game Sanctuary (entrance fee)
Loita Hills – Cultural talk and village visit
Loita Hills – Maasai Village Visit
Masai Mara – 4×4 Game Drive
Add on activities
Lake Naivasha – Bike hire – USD12
Lake Naivasha – Hell’s Gate NP (Game Drive) – USD40
Lake Naivasha – Boat trip – KES4000
