Masai Mara Walking Safari
INTRODUCTION TO LOITA HILLS
Drive westward, crossing the expanses of the Great Rift Valley, heading up into the 8,000-foot-high Loita Hills. Hiking and exploring in the Loita Hills notable for the variety of its sceneries, which ranges from rolling hills and dramatic escarpments to expansive plains of open savanna country.
HIGHLIGHTS
This district, the most remote and un toured part of Kenya's Masailand is a stronghold of the most tradition-bound clans of the Masai, where you enjoy fabulous cultural experiences among these proud people. The Loitas area the clan, from which the Masai's great Laibon (spiritual leaders) are drawn. The Masai are pastoral normads who have maintained the proud traditions of their unique way of life of tending herds of cattle and flocks of goats in the wild landsof Kenya. Masai men carry spears to protect their livestock from predators, while women tend houses and take care of domestic chores such as gathering firewood and fetching water. Their ochre-colored robes and bright jewelry testify to the living traditions of their culture. This is the opportunity to visit these interesting people in their own villages (manyattas) as they engage in the routines of daily life, an invitation into their homes should be a great experience.
Although animals in the Loita are shyer than those living in game parks, a wide variety of wildlife may be encountered: zebra, giraffe, bushbuck, hartebeest, gazelles, impala, monkeys, and baboons are the species that are abundantly seen. Accompanied on our walks by spear carrying Masai warriors you learn from them about this unusual ecosystem.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: NAIROBI/NDARARA
Depart Nairobi passing through the Great Rift Valley, After descending 2,000 ft. to the valley floor which is studded with volcanic mountains, you begin to see an animal kingdom unrivalled anywhere else in Africa. Masailand is the home of huge herds of plains game. Our route then takes us up onto the Mau Escarpment and through the small trading town of Narok where you stopover for 30 minutes before heading South and winding up into the forested Loita Hills close to the Tanzanian border. You will be dropped at Maji Moto (Kiswahili means hot waters) where a hot spring bubbles out of the earth at the foot of the hills. A relaxing bath is a must as you visit Ndarara Mayatta for lunch. Late in the evening reach Ndarara Camp for Dinner and overnight.
DAY 2: NDARARA/LETUKUNYI
After breakfast leave Ndarara for Letukunyi, taking you about 5-6 hours walk through the scattered bushes and exploring the beautiful Loita Hills in the Nguruman Escarpment through the forests where you see striking black and white colombus Monkeys. Occasionally we may see leopard or bushbuck as you visit various secret waterholes. There are also a variety of highland birds to view, such as the turaco, parrot, hornbill, starling, sunbird and the birds of prey. Dinner and overnight at Letukunyi Camp.
Day 3: LETUKUNYI/MORIJO
Leave Letukunyi Camp early in the morning for an enjoyable walk before the sun is too hot . Pass through Narosura for lunch or to buy what might be out of stock. After an hour or two in this remote town in Maasai land, proceed to Morijo for dinner and overnight at Morijo Campsite.
DAY 4: MORINJO/ENKUTOTO
After breakfast, leave Morijo and walk through the forest, few of the remaining true-forested wilderness area in East Africa. The walk will take 5-6 hours across the rolling highlands up to OSupuko, the summit of the Loita Hills (8,660 ft.), with incredible views, before descending to the Camp. This is a favourite roost for velvet monkeys. Walk through the forests and glades in search of bohor reedbuck, East African Eland, Warthog, and the striking black and white Colombus Monkeys. Occasionally we may see Bushbuck as we walk to Enkutoto Campsite.
DAY 5: ENKUTOTO/NJOROI
After breakfast, leave Enkutoto, walking leisurely for 4-5 hours to Njoroi Campsite for dinner and overnight. In the camp enjoy an excellent view of the surrounding area such as lake Magadi, Lake Magadi -People walking on magadi sodaNgong hills, Lake Natron and all the way to Tanzania border on a clear day.
Dinner and overnight at the Njoroi Campsite.
DAY 6: NJOROI/NGURUMAN/NAIROBI
After breakfast, descend the Escarpment through small farms to Nguruman town for transfer back to Nairobi via Lake Magadi. Ololgesalie prehistoric site which is 40 Km from Nairobi where the Leakey Family discovered axes and tools.
Safari Inclusive:
Free airport transfers in Nairobi
Transport while on safari - with open roof safari van
All park entrance fees and government levies
Full board accommodation in campsites/lodges -double room sharing
3 Meals per day while on safari- vegetarian & non vegetarian
English speaking professional driver guides
Bottled mineral water - 1 litre per person per day
Exclusive / Extras:
Expenses of personal a nature,
Sodas and alcoholic drinks
Laundry services, sleeping bags
Gratuities/tips
Optional travel insurance
Entry visa,
Health requirements (you are entering a Malaria area).
Also excluded is accommodation in Nairobi - can be arranged on request.
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