Masai Mara walking safari
| country: | Kenya |
| location: | Masai Mara, Mount Kenya, Rift Valley |
| trip type: | Walking safaris, introductory walking |
| departures: | 2010: 12 Jun, 3 Jul, 31 Jul, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 9 Oct, 18 Dec 2011: 19 Feb, 11 Jun, 2 Jul, 30 Jul, 20 Aug, 3 Sep, 17 Sep, 8 Oct, 17 Dec |
| price: | From £1479 - £2129 (10 days) including flights from the UK. From £899 - £1119 excluding flights. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Masai Mara walking safari
Short safari with the Masai in beautiful Kenya
Lake Nakuru Wildlife
Driving northwest from Nairobi, you have the chance to spot rhino and other wildlife on game drives while Lake Nakuru’s soda-rich waters support a large population of flamingos; seeing them stretching across the horizon as an ever-moving pink barrier is an impressive sight.
The Masai Mara
The Mara is part of the great plain that stretches through southern Kenya into northern Tanzania. From Nakuru you descend into the Great Rift Valley to the rolling grasslands filled with amazing wildlife. After game drives, take a walking safari with Masai guides and visit a local village to see everyday life on the plains.
Lake Nakuru Wildlife
Driving northwest from Nairobi, you have the chance to spot rhino and other wildlife on game drives while Lake Nakuru’s soda-rich waters support a large population of flamingos; seeing them stretching across the horizon as an ever-moving pink barrier is an impressive sight.
The Masai Mara
The Mara is part of the great plain that stretches through southern Kenya into northern Tanzania. From Nakuru you descend into the Great Rift Valley to the rolling grasslands filled with amazing wildlife. After game drives, take a walking safari with Masai guides and visit a local village to see everyday life on the plains.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart London You arrive in the evening tonight and will be transferred to your hotel for your first night’s accommodation. Hotel – 1 night |
| Day 2: | Laikipia; afternoon game drive This morning you head north across the Central Highlands, which form the eastern boundary of the Great Rift Valley. The area is extremely fertile, which explains the high population density predominantly made up of the largest tribal group in Kenya - the industrious Kikuyu. Every available square metre of volcanic soil is put to good use as shambas, or smallholdings, and the landscape is a veritable patchwork of fields, plantations and forest. The busy road passes a string of towns en route and soon you arrive at Laikipia (250km, approx. 5 hours drive), a former stronghold of the Masai that was occupied after World War I by British settlers. Here you stay on one of the game ranches that combines cattle farming with conservation and in the afternoon you’ll head out on a game drive in search of rhino and other wildlife. Bushcamp - 2 nights (BLD) |
| Day 3: | Laikipia; game walk, afternoon & evening game drive The ranch is located on 14,000 acres of game land along the Ewaso Nyiro River and there are 75 species of mammal and over 350 bird varieties to keep an eye out for. Rising early you go out for a game walk soon after dawn, when the animals are at their most active. There’s no more exciting way to see African wildlife than on foot and your guides will teach you some bushcraft as you endeavour to stay downwind of the animals you’re stalking. In the latter part of the morning there’s an opportunity to go horse riding (optional). In the afternoon you take a game drive and at night go out yet again armed with spotlights in the hope of seeing those nocturnal animals that keep themselves hidden during the day. (BLD) |
| Day 4: | Lake Nakuru; Menengai crater walk This morning you drive (250km approx. 4-5 hours) on good roads to the Lake Nakuru region. Menengai Crater is an extinct volcano on the Northern Side of Nakuru. With a surface area of 90 square kilometres, it is one of the largest surviving volcanic craters in the world. Menengai Crater also has historic significance, being the site of a decisive battle between two warring Masai tribes in the 19th century. The views of Lake Nakuru on the way up to the crater are excellent. The alkaline waters of this lake once supported an extremely large colony of flamingos - reckoned to be anything up to two million strong! Over the course of the year the lake changes size considerably, shrinking to its minimum in March at the end of the dry season. You stay at a tented lodge near the crater and in the afternoon you’ll explore it on foot. Tented lodge – 2 nights (BLD) |
| Day 5: | Lake Nakuru; game drives There’s a lot of wildlife to see on the salty mudflats and wooded hills around Lake Nakuru, including giraffe, hippo, black and white rhino (both of which have been reintroduced), buffalo, warthog, zebra, various species of antelope and the ubiquitous waterbuck. Due to the relative absence of predators and the consequent low risk, waterbuck and impala thrive here. Indeed one of the possible derivations of Nakuru’s name is “the place of the waterbuck”. There is a chance that you’ll see lion and the extremely elusive leopard as you go on a full day game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, including a picnic lunch, in order to give you the best opportunity to spot as much wildlife as possible. (BLD) |
| Day 6: | Masai Mara; afternoon game drive Your route leads south west down the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley - one of the most dramatic natural features on earth (400km approx. 6-7 hours). The Masai Mara is effectively a northern extension of the Serengeti, the most famous of neighbouring Tanzania's national parks, which lies just across the border. Animals of course recognise no border and immense herds of blue wildebeest migrate across the savannah, driven by the innate urge to find new grazing land. They arrive here each July/August before they start to head south again in October. At these times the plains teem with animals on the move and the photographic opportunities are unrivalled. This evening you’ll have your first game drive in the park. Bushcamp - 3 nights (BLD) |
| Day 7: | Masai Mara; walking safari & Masai village visit This morning is invariably one of the highlights of the trip as you spend time walking with Masai guides. The Masai are probably the best known of Kenya’s tribal peoples - largely due to their highly photogenic appearance. The young males in particular wear a striking costume of bright red cloth, with a cape slung from one shoulder, beads and jewellery and carry a spear, sword and club. Originally nomadic herders, the Masai used to live on a diet of cattle blood and fresh and curdled milk. Live cattle represent wealth; so much energy was devoted to cattle raiding. They have a fearsome reputation as warriors and hunters, but in the face of immense pressure are gradually - if reluctantly - starting to accept a more settled lifestyle. By walking with the Masai you get a glimpse of a way of life that is totally in tune with the environment. During the course of the walk you’ll visit a local school and a Masai boma (village) – an altogether memorable experience. (BLD) |
| Day 8: | Masai Mara; game drives You’ll spend a full day exploring the extensive grassy plains where elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and various gazelles spend their days grazing. Predatory lion, cheetah, jackal, hyena and perhaps even wild dog are more elusive but still often seen. The usual routine is a game drive in the early morning, return to camp for a leisurely brunch then have some free time to relax before setting off again in the afternoon. Finally you return to camp to eat dinner beneath the stars, surrounded by the now familiar sounds of the African bush; camping in a national park really is the quintessential African experience! (BLD) |
| Day 9: | Fly To London This morning, you re-cross the plains of the Mara and climb the Rift Valley’s eastern wall past Mount Suswa to make your way back to Nairobi (300km, approx. 6 hours drive). En route there may be opportunities to stop and make some final purchases. Once back in Nairobi you have time to go for dinner (not included) in a local restaurant before the trip ends for Land Only clients and those on group flights to the UK transfer to the airport in time to check in for your overnight flight to London. (B) |
| Day 10: | Arrive in London |
| Day 11-14: | Lamu Island Optional Extension Day 1-8 are as per normal itinerary. On Day 9 you return to Nairobi with the group, and spend the night in a hotel. Day 10 you transfer to the airport and fly to Lamu, where you check into your guesthouse, just a short walk from Shella Beach. Over the next three days you can soak up the wonderful atmosphere of Lamu, relax on the beach and indulge in delicious sea food. Guesthouse - 3 nights (Bx3)On Day 13 you transfer back to the airport for the flight to Nairobi, where you connect to your overnight flight to London. For Land Only clients the trip ends at Nairobi airport. (B) Day 14 arrive in London |
traveller reviews for Masai Mara walking safari
On a scale of 1 - 10 (ten being fantastic/exceptional/memorable) then I rate this holiday 3 (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
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On this trip: Our policy of staying in locally owned accommodation, having local guides and group leaders, using transport owned and operated by local people wherever possible is continued in Kenya. Our small groups (maximum of 16 people) have a minimal impact on the fragile environment. All tour guides are responsible for ensuring that the guests understand the nature of the environment that they are in and minimise the impact that they may have.
Our accommodation in the Maasai Mara is dedicated not only to sustainable eco-friendly tourism but to actively helping the local communities. They use solar energy for most of their needs including heating the shower water that is afterwards used to water the trees and vegetables of their agro-forestry project. This is designed to improve the diet of the Maasai as well as provide a source of income and firewood – thus protecting native trees. The local school has also benefited from new buildings, desks, water tanks and tree planting as well as a scholarship programme. Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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