Hiking across the Maasai Land to the Maasai Mara

Duration

13 Days

Minimum Age

-

Fitness Level

-

Accomodation

2x - Lodge
1x - Hotel
2x - Resort
7x - Camp

Overview

This hike starts from trekking Chyulu Hills the eastern boundary of the Maasai Land which offers spectacular landscapes and beautiful views of Amboseli.  The tour continues through the Maasai land to Lake Magadi and ends on the western boundary with game drives in the Maasai Mara. A mix of hikes and drives and cultural en counters offers some insight into the life and land of the Maasai.

Tour Map

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Tour Plan

Day 1 Arrival Nairobi, drive to Chyulu Hills

We arrive in Nairobi during morning hours and we are welcomed by our Driver/Guide, who briefs us on the day’s activities. From the airport we drive for 3 hours along the busy Mombasa road which forms part of the Trans African Highway No. 8 from Mombasa to Lagos. As we drive through wide open ranches with batches of upcoming towns we can see in the far south the snow covered crater rim of Kilimanjaro.  In the late afternoon we arrive at the Hunters Lodge just in time to watch the sun set over the Chyulu Hills. The volcanic hills stretch from Northwest to Southeast, dividing the Amboseli and Tsavo plains.  Dinner and overnight will be at the Hunters Lodge.

Driving time: 3 hours, distance 145KM

Accommodation: Hunters lodge, HB

Meal Plan:  D

Day 2 Kisulu Caves

After breakfast, we drive to the Chyulu Hills park gate and embark on a journey up the scenic hills which rise up to 2188m. Being a National Park, the area is teeming with wildlife therefore an armed ranger provides security. The whole of the Chyulu Hills Mountain Range spans over 60km from one end to the other and offers stunning views of gentle rolling hills with grove of trees in the intersections between the hills.  Numerous lava tube caves crisscross the depth of the Chyulu Hills and are locally known as the Kisulu caves.  With 19.5km length the caves are amongst some of the longest in the world.  We explore only the first section which is 2 km long. After this adventure we drive another 10 km to our lunch point.  After lunch we use the numerous animal trails crisscrossing the open undulating landscape, which provide convenient routes to hike to the ridge of the mountain range (1900m) where our fly camp is already set. Spectacular views of Kilimanjaro and the Amboseli plains await us.  As the sun sets we enjoy our dinner which has been well prepared by the camp cook.

Driving time: 2 hours, distance 70KM

Accommodation:  camping FB

Activities: 4 hours’ hike, 1 hour cave exploration

Meal Plan: B L D

Day 3 Chyulu Hills

We wake up to an early morning tea as we watch the sunrise over the Tsavo plains in the east which tosses the Kilimanjaro in a pinkish golden light.  We take a stroll around the campsite while the crew prepares our breakfast.  Today we hike for about 12 km across the ridges with lunch in our back bags as we come across curious natural phenomena like hills divided into two halves, one covered with grass and the other a forest, presumably as a result of winds not blowing bush fires to every corner of the hill.   As we leave the park and enter the group ranch area of the Ilkisongo Maasai, our Maasai guide points out special plants and herbs which the Maasai community uses. The Ilkisongo use the basically uninhabited area as their food reserve for their cattle in the dry season. On our way we find cattle mingling with gazelles, zebras, elands and giraffes.  In the early afternoon we reach our camp site and find the crew has already set camp. We take a rest and enjoy the views over the Maasai plains below and Kilimanjaro in the North West while the crew prepare our evening meal.

Accommodation: Camping FB

Activities:  5 hours hike

Meal Plan: B L D

Day 4 Descend Chyulu to Loitoktok

We enjoy the sunrise as we have our early morning tea and breakfast that the crew has prepared. After breakfast we embark on a 3 to 4 hour descend to the Maasai Plains.  Our walk takes us past giraffes, zebras, gnus, gazelles and herds of Maasai cattle all heading to the same place; a seasonal lake in middle of this semi - arid land - Lake Arpakai.  Along the way, our Maasai guide will explain how the modern way of life is influencing the lifestyle of his people.  At the Lake Arpakei, we might have a chance of spotting hippos besides watching water birds, while enjoying lunch.  After lunch we drive 70 KM through villages and ranches to Loitokitok (1750m) on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. Dinner and overnight served at Kibo Slopes Garden Resort.

Driving time:  3 hours, Distance: 80KM

Accommodation: Kibo slopes Garden resort, HB

Activities:    4 hours hike

Meal Plan: B L D

Day 5 Nalemoru River walk on the slopes of Kilimanjaro

After breakfast we are driven to the start of the Nalemoru River walk.  The 8km walk takes us through a scenic riverbed in a deep gorge close to the Tanzanian border. Along the way, we find the acacia trees, gum trees, wild olive trees, mahogany and other tropical trees. At a scenic waterfall (though dry during the dry season) we stop for an already prepared barbeque lunch and have to watch out for baboons which might be interested in our delicious food.  The terrain is a bit rough and walking poles will assist.  Afterwards we hike via the Outward Bound School, a Kilimanjaro Climbing base dating back to the colonial time to Loitokitok, have a look at the town and the colourful market (especially on market days).  In the late afternoon we drive to Amboseli National park ( 40km) for dinner and overnight at Kibo Safari Camp

Driving time:  1 hours,   Distance: 40KM

Accommodation: Kibo Safari camp, FB

Activities:  4 hours hike

Meal Plan: B L D

Day 6 Amboseli Game drives, drive to Kumpa

On this day we enjoy full day game drives in the Amboseli National park with lunch boxes.  Amboseli has a hot, dry climate with average rainfall of 350-400 mm per year. In the park there are however large wetland areas which are fed not only by the rain but also by the melting ice and snow from the 5895m high towering Kilimanjaro above.  Our game drives, reveal the fascinating fauna and flora of the park. The park is famous for large herds of elephants however there are numerous grass-eating animals such as wild buffaloes, gnus, zebras, impalas, giraffes, gazelles and gerenuks. Carnivores are there as well; lions, cheetahs, jackals and spotted hyenas. In the late afternoon we drive to Kumpa along the Nairobi –Namanga road.  Dinner and overnight will be at Lerruat Log Resort a scenic place overlooking the Amboseli basin with Kilimanjaro in the backdrop.

Driving time:  3 hours, Distance: 130KM

Accommodation: Lerruat Log Resort, HB

Activities:  game drives

Meal Plan: B L D

Day 7 Drive Mt. Olorgesailie in low lands around lake Magadi

Today we drive 150 km on a dusty and bumpy road which might take us up to 5 hours.  The marram road that meanders along the railway line all the way all the way to Ammodump, a 4000-acre farm near Olorgeasailie. The landscape keeps on changing as it gets hotter, drier and dustier.  The area is sparsely populated by Matapato Maasai who can be differentiated by their dress code and beadwork. We arrive for late lunch the camp. The afternoon can be spent on game drives / and walks in the vast area. There is also an optional visit to the pre – historic site of Olorgesailie some 40 km away. Dinner and overnight will be at the camp

Driving time:  3 hours, Distance: 150KM

Accommodation: Ammodump Camp

Activities:  game drives / walks

Meal Plan: B L D

Day 8 Lake Magadi and hot springs

Today we leave the camp at sunrise with packed breakfast just after a cup of early morning tea.  The 60 km drive takes us first to Lake Magadi.  Lake Magadi is located on the floor of the Rift valley.  The town dates back to 1911 and is managed basically by the Soda ash harvesting factory.  Around the lake shores we will find flamingos, zebras and giraffes. We head first for the hot springs where we take a break and open our breakfast boxes. We can opt to give our legs a treat in the sulphuric hot springs and continue with game drives around the shores.  We return via the Nguruman road through the vast area of the factory and marvel at the colors of the water and the formation the soda ash forms.  We head back to the camp for lunch and overnight stay and prepare for the next day’s pre- dawn departure to the Nguruman escarpment.

Driving time:  3 hours, Distance: 120KM

Accommodation: Ammodump Camp

Activities:  game drives / walks / Hot springs

Meal Plan: B L D

Day 9 Rift valley escarpment Hike

We begin the day early at 4.00 am to avoid the heat of the day. A 2-hour drive takes us to the town of Nguruman where we meet our Maasai guide and some porters who guide us up the escarpment, first crossing the Ewaso Niryo River then ascending the steep and rocky 600m escarpment on a well- trodden trail.  The Loita Maasai undertake this walk daily with their donkeys to get their supply from the Nguruman village.  At around 11.00am we finally reach the first level of the escarpment and the views over the Rift Valley are spectacular. Here we take a rest and unpack our snacks before we continue our hike past some Maasai Village until we meet our driver and car around noon.  The Loita Maasai are more traditional in lifestyle than other the Maasai clans. They reside on a 2000m high plateau which extends from the Nguruman escarpment to the Tanzanian border in the South and the Maasai Mara game reserve in the West. After our descent we are picked up by our driver and head to the Maji Moto Eco Camp in heart of Narok district.

Diving time:   3 hours, Distance: 80 KM

Accommodation: Maasai Eco Lodge, HB

Activities: 4 to 5-hour Hike

Meal Plan: B L D

Day 10 Loita Maasai Culture

Loita Maasai have tenaciously clung to their culture and have always been aggressive towards outside influences which may have negative impacts on their culture. They are a people with an independent way of thinking that is faithful to their kinship and regard their culture with high esteem. The Loita Maasai have an intimate knowledge of the environment that is acquired from childhood through herding and spending time in the forest. Today we walk with the warriors through a stunning landscape of rolling hills and visit a Maasai home to experience the simplicity and warmth of their hospitality after lunch we drive to the Maasai Mara for dinner and overnight at the Sweet Acacia Camp

Driving: 2 hours, 80 km, game drive enroute.

Accommodation: Sweet Acacia Camp, FB

Activities:  4-hour forest hike / village visit

Meal Plan: B L D

Day 11 Masai Mara

After breakfast we embark on our game drive in the vast game reserve with packed lunch.  The reserve was recently classified as the latest “Wonder of the World”. The Mara is an extension of the Serengeti with the “Big Five” found here. The Mara National Reserve stretches 1,510 sq km (580 sq miles) and raises 1,500-2,170 meters above sea level.  The open grasslands are filled with cheetahs, lions, millions of wildebeest, elephants and other plains game.  The rich birdlife includes vultures, marabou storks, secretary birds, hornbills, crowned cranes, ostriches and long-crested eagles besides others. The shy black rhinoceros’ population is difficult to spot except at a great distance. In forested areas we find with some luck leopards.  The Mara River and its feeder the Talek River meanders through the reserve, creating not only a haven for hippos and crocodiles, but also a difficult and dangerous feat for the migrating zebra and wildebeest that must cross the river for more lush grasslands beyond.  Dinner and overnight will be again the camp.

Driving time:   full day game drive

Accommodation: Osero camp,

Activities:  game drives

Meal Plan: B L D

Day 12 Morning game drive, Return to Nairobi

It is time to leave the “Garden of Eden” and continue with our journey back to Nairobi.  We can opt for a last early morning game drive before breakfast and checkout.   The 270km drive takes us through Narok to Rift valley floor and finally up a scenic escarpment to the Highlands of Nairobi.  We have a lunchbreak on the way. In the afternoon we arrive at Emara Olsereni Hotel for Overnight and an optional al carte dinner.

Driving time:   5 hours, Distance: 270 KM

Accommodation: Emara Olsereni, BB

Activities:    Early morning game drive

Meal Plan: B L

Day 13 Departure – Home

Depending with the departure flight details, we are transferred to the airport for our flight back home.

Driving time:  20 Min, Distance: 18KM

Meal Plan: B

Included

  • Accommodation aas per the itinerary
  • Transport on 4x4 land cruiser
  • Park Fees
  • Magadi Community fee
  • Loita Community fee
  • Nguruman Community fee
  • Camping fee
  • English speaking driver guides

Excluded

  • International arrival and departure
  • Drinks in hotels and lodges/ telephone/ laundry/visa fees/ tips


Price

From 4 Pax $3,560.00 p.p.s

*Residents and Citizens discount available


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