About the trip
Kenya is land full of history and preserved culture. It’s home to the Masai people, who still protect and embrace their cultural value and traditions to this day, as they choose to stay away from modernity to keep their ceremonies and values. Most of them are still very conservative people, but have become part of the community that work together with others to protect the land and the animals that live there. As we start from Nairobi National Park and make our way to the edge of Masai Mara National Reserve, this is a soul-searching trip that’ll leave you with unforgettable memories. The Big 5 should naturally be on top of the list, along with some species exclusive to the East Africa and with some luck you could catch some of the most elusive smaller animals that hunt early in the morning before the sun comes up. There are land’s biggest mammals, elephants, giraffes, and rhinos, majestic big cats like lions and leopards, the rare impalas and Beisa oryx, the lesser kudu, and more. Don’t miss out swimming under Ol Lasur Waterfall at the edge of the Great Rift Valley and prepare to getting used to the beauty of the sunrises and sunsets of East Africa.
Highlights
- 10 Nights’ Accommodation on Full board basis
- Flying doctors’ medical evacuation cover
- Scheduled flights Wilson/Nanyuki/Mara/Wilson
- Conservation fees & Park Entrance fees
- Current Government taxes and levies
- Ololo Safari Lodge Includes: Airport transfers (arrival & departure) from JKIA and Wilson airports and hotels in the immediate vicinity of these airports, VAT, breakfast, lunch and dinner, soft drinks, house wine, house beer, selected spirits, Wi-Fi, swimming pool, full laundry, two game drives per day in Nairobi National Park (NNP) minimum 4 people guarantees exclusive use of vehicle for game drives, excursions to David Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust (entry fees payable by guest).
- Karisia Classic Walk Includes: Walking Safari with riding camels and baggage camels, Local English speaking guides, Laikipia Masai and Samburu team, Shared toilets and buckets
- Showers, hot water /Sheets and Blankets, 1 pillow and towel, basin in front of tent / Solar lights in tent, shower and toilet, Alcohol included with House Beer and Wines, Visits to local, school, manyattas, local markets (Tuesday and Wednesday - Ask) , Rock climbing & Laundry.
- Oltyiani Trail includes: All meals, soft drinks, house wines, non-luxury spirits with meals, fully staffed and equipped camps, donkey for pottering, guided walks, cultural visits to Masai Enkangs.
- Speke's Camp includes Full board accommodation, Bottled water, soft drinks, house wines and non-Luxury spirits with meals, Sundowners, picnics and bush breakfasts, Laundry, Airstrip transfers and Private vehicle for game drives.
- Transfers - JKIA Airport Hotel to Ololo Safari Lodge, Ololo Safari Lodge to Wilson Airport, Nanyuki Airstrip to Karisia Nayasura Camp, Karisia Nayasura to Maasai Trails, Masai Trails to Speke’s Camp, Speke’s Camp to Musiara Airstrip, Wilson airport to JKIA Airport Hotel.
Accommodation
Ololo Safari Lodge & Farm or Similar
1 night(s) in Nairobi
Karisia Nayasura Camp or Similar
3 night(s) in Laikipia
Maasai Trails or Similar
3 night(s) in Loita Hills
Speke’s Camp or Similar
3 night(s) in Masai Mara National Reserve
Included in the price
Nairobi
- Two game drives per day in Nairobi National Park (NNP) minimum 4 people guarantees
- Exclusive use of vehicle for game drives
- Excursions to David Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust (entry fees payable by guest).
Laikipia
- Karisia Classic Walking Safari with riding camels and baggage camels
- Local English speaking guides
- Visits to local, school, manyattas, local markets (Tuesday and Wednesday - Ask)
- Rock climbing
Loita Hills
- Cultural visits to Masai Enkangs
- Ol Lasur Waterfall
Masai Mara National Reserve
- Masai Mara Open Jeep Safari
- Governors' Balloon Safaris (Optional)
Nairobi
- Two game drives per day in Nairobi National Park (NNP) minimum 4 people guarantees
- Exclusive use of vehicle for game drives
- Excursions to David Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust (entry fees payable by guest).
Laikipia
- Karisia Classic Walking Safari with riding camels and baggage camels
- Local English speaking guides
- Visits to local, school, manyattas, local markets (Tuesday and Wednesday - Ask)
- Rock climbing
Loita Hills
- Cultural visits to Masai Enkangs
- Ol Lasur Waterfall
Masai Mara National Reserve
- Masai Mara Open Jeep Safari
- Governors' Balloon Safaris (Optional)
Day-wise Itinerary
ExpandDay 1: Arrival In Nairobi And Nairobi National Park
- Your flight will land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Our representatives will be waiting for you outside and help transfer you to your hotel. During this trip, your guide will brief you about the trip, particularly about the safari. Outside the car, is the biggest city of Kenya which also serves as its capital, Nairobi, which means place of cool waters in local Masai language. It is THE city in East Africa, and is the fourth largest of Africa, a place brimming with life and culture mix of many African tribes that have met modernity.
- We will immediately head to Nairobi National Park and check-in at the lodge. Nairobi National Park was established in 1946, a fenced park with the southern part free so as not to block the migration route between parks and to Kitengela plains. The lush greenery makes this a popular spot for grazing animals and herbivores, coupled with the beautiful scenery of Mount Ngong, it’s going to be one of the most worthwhile visit of all time.
- We’ll transfer you to the lodge within the park for check-in and rest for the night in Nairobi National Park.
- (Lunch & Dinner)
Day 2: Transfer From Nairobi To Nayasura – Laikipia National Reserve
- This morning you will be transferred to Wilson Airport for your schedule flight to Nanyuki where you are met and transferred by road to Nayasura
- The tall rocky outcrop will be visible for miles before you arrive. It's called Nayasura and it is certainly sacred ground, used for millennia by hunters and others seeking shelter.
- Ancient graves, flints and pounding stones called 'boluses' are all in evidence around the rocks and particularly the caves. A fascinating look at our more primal past.
- After a delicious freshly prepared lunch we will relax enjoying the view, the birds or a siesta until it cools down later on. After tea we head out on a stroll looking for wildlife before climbing up to the top of the rocks for a sundowner taking in the breath-taking panoramic views. We often see elephants, giraffe, baboons, warthogs, impala and hyena from the top of this rock. If we are lucky a leopard or cheetah may saunter past far below.
- Back at camp the team have piping hot showers waiting and a sit-down dinner under the stars.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, All Drinks, Fees & Activities)
Day 3: Laikipia
- Wake up to the beautiful nature surrounding you. Basins filled with steaming water will be brought to the room to wash your face and other morning needs. Enjoy a light breakfast with pressed coffee or hot tea as the sun goes up and sets off while the temperature is still low. The night hunters like leopards and lions might still be out after some midnight hunting sessions. Then we’ll change our means of transportation to camel riding for a different safari experience with our snacks and drinks saddled on the side.
- By lunchtime, we’ll have arrived to our next camp with everything prepared. Enjoy the meal and freshen up with some drinks. Then we’ll move on in the afternoon for a walk around the park for some birdwatching or more safari trips to spot more animals. Alternatively, guests can instead opt to visit the closest ranch to meet the cows and goats and see the daily evening milking session.
- We’ll return in the evening to the camp for dinner and an overnight stay in Laikipia.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, All Drinks, Fees & Activities)
Day 4: Laikipia - Walk Towards The Ewaso River
- The day starts early today as we invite you to visit the Ewaso River, which is a great source of water for the animals in this park. We might catch sights of Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffes, lesser kudu, and Grevy’s zebra. The Ewaso River is a river located on the west side of Mount Kenya and part of the Great Rift Valley, a key location to the ecosystem of this area. It’s also a popular spot for elephants that love to play and bathe here, making this a great place to visit to watch frolicking elephants and capture some great pictures.
- As we walk along the river, we’ll reach the next campsite, a well-shaded spot to rest and enjoy our lunch here. We’ll walk back from the camp and just take in the beautiful view of this place at your pace before enjoy our dinner back our home camp and spend the night in Laikipia.
- (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, All Drinks, Fees & Activities)
Day 5: Masai Trails, Loita Hills
- After breakfast, we’ll leave the camp and head out to the airstrip in Nanyuki for your flight to Loita Hills. Located on the north side of the Tanzanian border and on the western edge of the Great Rift Valley. Once we’ve landed, we’ll be greeted by a Maasai guide who’ll guide you to the camp for lunch. You’ll have several hours to rest and check out the surrounding area and before we can enjoy the dinner at the camp. You’ll also be briefed on how the trails will take place tomorrow from how you can pick your trail, to the day’s itinerary and what to expect from the trip. Spend the night at the camp in Loita Hills.
- How the trails work?
- 1. Chose a trail
- 2. Meet your guides
- 3. Set off into the forest
- 4. Spend your days exploring
- 5. Back to base for the rest of your safari!
- Your Maasai guides will meet you with the pack donkeys. Once all the provisions and camp equipment has been packed, the donkey caravan will set off into the forest to set up the next camp. The mobile camps consist of comfortable 4x4 African Bell Tents with bedrolls, towels, linen and a wash basin outside. One shower tent and one short drop loo tent is set up for the camp. There is also a mess tent with bar area and a camp-fire situated nearby.
- Due to the altitude of the Loita area and the terrain that we traverse, we do not plan to walk for longer than 6 hours a day. Within very short distances you can walk through very different ecosystems and habitats.
- Normally the walks are three hours in the morning, stop for a leisurely lunch then a further three hours in the afternoon.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Masai Trails, Loita Hills
- Enjoy your breakfast before we set off for Masai Trails, starting with meeting the pack donkeys that are brought out from a nearby enkang, which is a Masai homestead with fences made of sharp torn bushes. Everything will have been prepared and packed for the foot safari to Oltyiani which is the highest point in Loita Hills. The trip typically doesn’t go longer than 6 hours a day as the distance can be pretty far and the altitude can be challenging.
- We’ll set off with a local Maasai guide who will show the way while share their knowledge about their culture and custom. The Masai people are known for being conservatives who still hold tight to their values and culture and with recent decades, they’ve been struggling to protect their rites of passage and ceremonies. The Masai Trails is one that’s been used by Masai people for hundreds of years, making this one experience that sets it different from the others. You’ll be informed about what this trail means for the people as the guide occasional points out what that animal tracks you come across are and where the best place to spot them from.
- The walk will be three hours in the morning before we stop for a break for lunch and some pictures, then another three hours in the afternoon. Meet all the animals you can with the least impact on the environment and learn all you can about the culture, both of which create the beauty that defines the Maasai Trail and Jan’s Camp. We are determined to bring the most minimum impact by employing donkeys, walk, and stays in mobile camps under the stars at night.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Masai Trails, Loita Hills - Ol Lasur Waterfall
- After breakfast, we set off today to Ol Lasur Waterfall, starting the trip at 9AM in the morning. Today the trail hikes a little as we head to the higher grounds around the edge of the Rift Valley before descending down to the waterfall. The Ol Lasure Waterfall is a favorite destination, a hidden waterfall where you can take a relaxing swim under. After you’re satisfied, we’ll climb back up for lunch before 2PM, with the Rift Valley as the backdrop.
- We’ll slowly make our back to the camp and by 5PM, we’ll have arrived in time for dinner by the river and drop our luggage to rest for the night.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Masai Mara National Reserve
- After breakfast, get ready on another exciting day in the Great Rift Valley and check-out from Elsamere. We’ll head to Masai Mara National Reserve today and make a temporary stop at Sentinel Eco Camp to check-in and drop your luggage. We’ll be in time for lunch before continuing down to the reserve. Stock up as we’ll have a long exciting day exploring the park for wildlife sighting. Spend the next few hours resting and just taking in the new view around here.
- Masai Mara is also known locally as the Mara, this National Reserve is a famous wildlife conservation park where the rivers Mara and Talek crosses. One can also find several villages of Maasai people around the area. Maasai Mara has all of the Big Five animals: lions, leopards, African elephants, African buffaloes, and black rhinoceros. The park is also known for being home to one of the largest cheetah populations.
- From the camp, we’ll head out at 4 PM for a game drive through the park to catch glimpses of the games in the afternoon. Masai Mara is a favorite of wildlife enthusiasts especially around July to November when zebras and gnus would cross the area as part of their annual migration. Enjoy the ride and we’ll head back to the camp as the sun sets and in time for dinner and refreshing drinks and to spend the night here.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Masai Mara National Reserve With Open Safari Vehicle
- We will be spending the whole exploring the Masai Mara National Reserve in one of the customized Open Safari Vehicles. It’s a modified 4WD, best choice to explore in a group of 6 to 8 and to meet the animals and getting close to them. You’ll also be able to enjoy the view here.
- Alternatively, you can go on Governors’ Balloon Safaris, which is a different experience where you can watch everything while hovering in the sky. We’ll depart from the launch site, located behind the Little Governors’ Camp, and sets off before the sun rises. Catch the first lights of the day with an exquisite view of Kenya’s horizon and the nature below you which isn’t just quiet and still, but also very much brimming with lives because you know it is. For an hour, you’ll try to spot the big cats, the giraffes, or elephants making their way through the land.
- We’ll land back and end the safari before heading for your breakfast with a champagne toast. Then we’ll do some leisure game viewing while making our way back to the camp.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: Masai Mara National Reserve - Governors' Balloon Safaris (Optional)
- You will have another full day in the Masai Mara. For those that are feeling adventurous, why not book yourself onto a morning balloon safari and get to see the Masai Mara from an eagle’s perspective.
- The adventure begins just before dawn. Departure is from a perfect natural launch site behind Little Governors’ Camp, and flames from the hot air balloon burners light the darkness as the crews inflate their craft. The first, pink tongues of sunlight flicker across the skies as the hot air balloon fills, then rises. Suspended in a basket beneath the rainbow-coloured canopy, you’re off for a game-viewing adventure with an entirely different perspective. What amazes most first-time balloonists is the absolute stillness: the silence as you float above the plains, the forest and the rivers of the Masai Mara. Even if you’ve flown elsewhere, this is a unique experience. The flight lasts an hour or so, drifting wherever the air currents take you, and with ample opportunities for photography and video filming. Then your Kenyan Hot Air Balloon Safari finishes with a flourish. In the time-honoured tradition of balloon flights, the world over, you toast your return to earth with a champagne breakfast, cooked wherever you land. The Balloon Safari ends with some leisurely game viewing on the way back to Camp.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11: Departure From Nairobi
- After breakfast, you will be driven to the nearby airstrip and for your flight back to Nairobi. You’ll arrive at Wilson Airport after the domestic flight and you will be transferred to the JKI Airport for your departure back home.
- (Bed & Breakfast)
Exclusions
Expand- International Airfares
- International and domestic departure tax
- Laundry services
- Meals and excursions not described in the itinerary
- Entry Visas to the country
- Travel and health insurance
- Balloon flight in the Masai Mara
- Any optional tours or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary above
- Gratuities (tips) to your guide, hotel staff and porters
- Any other items of a personal nature, such as drinks, laundry, telephone and postage.
Terms and Conditions
Expand- Currency: The currency of Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (KES; symbol KSh) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of KSh1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of KSh20, 10 and 5. Residents may import up to KES 500,000 and must declare if currencies exceeding US $10,000. Non-residents may import local and foreign currencies without restrictions but amounts exceeding US $10,000 must be declared.
- Banking: Banking hours: Monday -Friday 09h00-15h00, and Saturdays 09h00-12h00.
- ATMs are common especially in major tourist destinations.
- Mastercard and Visa Credit Cards are widely accepted; American Express and Diners Club less so.
- Major hotels accept payment by credit card, as do major safari companies, travel agencies and restaurants.
- Very few banks or foreign exchange bureaus accept travellers’ cheques; when they do, they charge high commissions.
- Climate and Weather: Kenya has three types of climates: temperate subtropical climate in the west and southwest highlands (where Nairobi is located), hot and humid along the coast, and hot and dry in the north and east.
- Clothing and Dress Recommendations: For Nairobi and the coast: lightweight cotton and linens are advised. Warmer clothing is needed in June and July, while rainwear is advisable between March and June, and October and December.
- For safari: loose-fitting and light neutral tones are recommended. If you are visiting a luxury lodge, pack a nice set of clothes for dinner is recommended.
- Electricity and Plug Standards: Electrical sockets in Kenya are of the ‘Type G (BS-1363)’.
