8 Days | Spot the Big Five on an overland journey and spend a night with the Maasai Warriors
Immerse yourself in the animal kingdom on this eight-day trip through Kenya. Veer off the beaten track to seek out elephants, hippos, leopards and lions against the impressive backdrop of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha. Then, staying in the world-famous Masai Mara, deepen your understanding of Kenyan culture by experiencing tribal life in Loita Hills as you’re welcomed into the homes of the Maasai warriors and their proud village community. Take early morning game drives, optional hot air balloon rides and join a cooking class to learn how to make some traditional fare. Join this perspective-shifting journey of unforgettable moments and memorable wildlife encounters.
Trip overview
- Start
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Finish
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Theme
- Overland, Wildlife
- Destinations
- 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
- YGOK
- Venture into the incredible Masai Mara National Reserve for a full-day game drive in an open-top 4WD, looking for lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and more.
- Cruise along Lake Naivasha on a boat ride with an experienced local guide. This lake is home to hundreds of protected hippos and you might also spot some giraffes, zebras and the many species of birds that call this lake home.
- An early morning game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park might be your best chance of seeing black and white rhinoceroses in the flesh.
- 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.
- Take a cooking class in a small village and learn some Kenyan recipes, then share your creations at a camp dinner under the stars.
- 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 and getting the best possible views of the Big Five. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have drop-down 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/africa/overland
- In Loita Hills you will stay in a secure bush camp with basic facilities and cold showers. There is no wi-fi or upgrades available but the rewards of experiencing Maasai culture should more than make up for the lack of creature comforts.
- 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 beat the morning traffic on long travel days.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
Overland vehicle, 4x4 safari vehicle
Camping (with facilities) (5 nights), Hotel (1 night), Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
- Lake Nakuru - Village Walk & Cooking Class
- Lake Nakuru - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
- Lake Naivasha - Boat trip
- Loita Hills - Cultural talk and village visit
- Masai Mara - 4x4 Game Drive
- Nairobi - City Experience Urban Adventure - USD55
- Lake Naivasha - Bike hire - USD12
- Lake Naivasha - Game Walk in Crater Lake Game Sanctuary (entrance fee) - USD50
- Lake Naivasha - Hell's Gate NP (Game Drive) - USD65
- Masai Mara National Reserve - Balloon ride (from price) - USD625
Dates and availability
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 finishes upon arrival in Nairobi on Day 8. Please do not book any flights until after 6pm this evening.
3. An optional sunrise balloon ride over the Masai Mara is possible on this itinerary. Please see Days 6-7 for full details of this activity. As the balloon only holds 16 people, places are limited and we recommend that you book in advance. Please inquire when booking your trip to book this optional activity.
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