The Masai Heartlands

15 Days | Cross Kenya and Tanzania through the fertile Masai Mara

5 out of 5 based on 16 reviews submitted.
Overland
Wildlife
From
EUR €2,740
View dates and book

Watch the wonders of Kenya and Tanzania unfold before you on this incredible 15-day overland adventure. Head deep into the heartland of the Maasai tribespeople and the finest game parks in eastern Africa. Travelling through the acclaimed Masai Mara and the vast Serengeti plains to the stunning lakes of the Great Rift Valley and the dramatic scenery of the Ngorongoro Crater, you'll spot a wealth of exotic predators and peaceful herbivores. Follow in the footsteps of the Maasai with local knowledge each step of the way, leaving you with memories of Africa to last a lifetime.

Trip overview

Map of The Masai Heartlands including Kenya and Tanzania, United Republic Of
Start
Nairobi, Kenya
Finish
Nairobi, Kenya
Theme
Overland, Wildlife
Destinations
Tanzania, Kenya
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 22
Trip code
YGOCC
This trip generates 32.37 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Explore Amboseli National Park, home to the largest population of African elephants in Kenya - known for large tuskers and exquisite views of Mt Kilimanjaro on clear days.
  • Learn about rural Tanzanian life as you join the community for a guided afternoon stroll around the farming area of Mto wa Mbu, before enjoying a traditional meal together.
  • Spend the night in a Maasai village to learn about life from community elders, visit a widows’ community and maybe even learn to throw a spear.
  • Head out on an early morning game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park. This might be your best chance of seeing black and white rhinoceroses in the flesh.
  • Embark on unforgettable safaris across Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti for a chance to spot Africa's iconic wildlife.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, setting up your own tent, occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of the Big Five. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows which let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/africa/overland
  • In Loita Hills, you'll stay in a bush camp with no shower facilities while Maasai warriors guard you from animals.
  • As the early bird catches the worm, the early camper sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2023

Map of The Masai Heartlands including Kenya and Tanzania, United Republic Of

Inclusions

Meals

13 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 12 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (8 nights), Hotel (2 night), Camping (with basic facilities) (3 night), Basic Hotel (1 night)

Activities
  • Lake Nakuru - Village Walk & Cooking Class
  • Lake Nakuru - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
  • Loita Hills - Cultural talk and village visit
  • Masai Mara - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Amboseli National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
  • Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner
  • Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
  • Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
Add on activities
  • Nairobi - City Experience Urban Adventure - USD55
  • Lake Naivasha - Bike hire - USD12
  • Lake Naivasha - Boat trip - KES4000
  • Lake Naivasha - Game Walk in Crater Lake Game Sanctuary (entrance fee) - USD20
  • Lake Naivasha - Hell's Gate NP (Game Drive) - USD40
  • Masai Mara National Reserve - Balloon ride (from price) - USD500
  • Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD745
  • Ngorongoro Forest - Elephant Cave Trek - USD80
  • Lake Manyara Game drive - USD100
  • Karatu - Village Visit - USD20
  • Karatu - Coffee Tour - USD25

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. This trip is a combination of YGOK and YGOT, two of our most popular itineraries. As such, the make up of your group and your leader may change on Day 8.
3. This trip finishes upon arrival in Nairobi on Day 15. Please do not book any flights until after 8pm this evening.
4. If it is more convenient, we offer the option to finish the trip in Arusha or Nairobi. Please do not book flights out of Arusha airport until after 10.30 am.
5. An optional sunrise balloon ride in the Masai Mara or Serengeti National Park is possible on this itinerary. Please see the itinerary above for full details of this activity. As the balloon only holds 16 people, places are limited, and we recommend you book in advance. Please inquire when booking your trip to book this optional activity.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 16 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Sophie · Traveled November 2023
Unforgettable experience. Perfect mix of nature and culture - local guides and crew were great and made the trip seamless. Would definitely recommend!
Review submitted 10 Nov 2023

Aleksander · Traveled August 2023
So many experiences that it felt more like a month! A lot of early starts and many miles covered, but necessary to fit it all in. Truly, a trip of a lifetime!
Review submitted 23 Aug 2023

Philippa · Traveled July 2023
Intrepid are a professional and extremely responsible travel company. Staff are exemplary, friendly and welcoming and with so much knowledge to share. I have enjoyed my trip with them immensely and shall be travelling with them again as soon as possible!
Review submitted 29 Jul 2023

Lisa · Traveled June 2023
This trip was amazing and I truly feel changed. The wildlife was only a small part of that. The local visits are so special and impactful, and the Kenyan people are so kind and welcoming. The wildlife was spectacular. We saw the big 5 and other highlights. It’s a hard trip in some ways and I went to bed every night exhausted, however it is truly life changing! Caroline, our guide, Silvia, our cook, and Ben, our driver, made the trip so special and fun. They were the perfect hosts who became family. I can’t recommend this trip enough! You will never be the same! Amazing! Sublime! Delightful! ;)
Review submitted 17 Jun 2023

Rabea · Traveled November 2022
Two weeks full of adventure, new cultures, and unforgettable experiences. I'd recommend the Intrepit Masai Heartlands Tour to anybody who likes fascinating landscapes, meeting local people and learning about their way of living, who doesn't mind getting a bit dirty while setting up the tend and apreciates the beauty and the unpredictability of nature. But: read the tour description first in order to know what to expect. We sleep outside in tents and sleeping bags. We set up our own tents, do the washing up and other chores and it sometimes bathrooms are basic and we'd only have cold showers. A nice suprise was that we had electricity in the truck. I didn't know that previously and I brought a power bank which I never needed. Our tour leader Patric, our chef Asaph and our drivers Becky and Kim did an amazing job. They went the extra mile to make us feel welcome, safe and satisfied 24/7. When someome had a problem or forgot something, Patric would immediately start looking for a solution - and find one. He answered all our questions and fascinated us with his broad knowledge of cultures, animals, nature and the history of Kenya and Tanzania. When we weren't driving, we'd always find Asaph in his kitchen preparing the most delicious meals for us: sometimes only with a simple flashlight. From beakfast to lunch to dinner our meals were diverse, tasty and prepared with great care. Asaph would often get up first and go to bed last, for the vegetarian in the group he'd prepare something extra each time and if you'd have a craving for some special food he'd try to make it happen somehow. During the first week Becky was our driver and she manoeuvered our big safaritruck through tight gates, park it in the most impossible places and she literally left us speechless with her unbelievable driving skills. On top of that, it was great fun to see the big eyes of other people when they saw a woman driving our big truck. Having a women in the leading group was very nice and it's wonderful that Intrepit tries to get more women into their teams - for the group it was definetly an enrichment. Becky was not only our driver, she basically was our second tour leader as she would assist us with whatever we needed and she'd asways be there for everyone. The second week Kim drove us over to Tanzania, through the tricky roads of Serengeti and up the steep hills of the Ngorongoro Crater. Kim too is an excellent driver and I felt save with him all the time. Last but not least: Our group dynamic was really enjoyable and we had a good vibe despite the big diversity amongst us. Also we were really lucky with the wildlife we saw: Patric and our Safari Drivers made a big effort to bring us the the best places to spot the animals we wanted to see and oftentimes we would me rewarded with great experiences. But nature is unpredictable and I'd recommend anyone to start the trip without big expectations: this will make every Lion, Leopard or Rhino you'll see to be a cherry on top of the cake.
Review submitted 19 Nov 2022
The Masai Heartlands
From
EUR €2,740